2025 Reflections: January
Happy 2025!
I have a habit of saying “Happy ____” whether it be the day of the week, the month or the year. Truthfully, January 2025 has been rough. Usually, I’m not one to let politics and world affairs really impact me, but with the most recent US presidency that began on January 20, it kind of feels like we’re heading into not only a tumultuous year, but four-year period at the very at least. More on that to come later in the post.
Historically, I’ve used December to wrap up the year, and get ready for the next. This includes things like vision boarding, reflecting on the year, writing a letter to my future self and setting goals. However, like most of 2024, December was a blur. We started the month flying back from Toronto, to attending my company holiday party the next day, from which we both caught the worst cold/flu. We had barely gotten better before traveling to Europe for our honeymoon. Our time abroad was so restorative and it was a trip that left me feeling ready to return back to my life here in San Francisco, versus feeling exhausted (since I tend to overpack my trips)!
Social media and comparison is truly the thief of joy because while I was frolicking to different Christmas markets, getting my fill of hot chocolate, I was also feeling slightly envious of those who weren’t traveling. I was seeing content of the things I’d usually do in December to gear up for the new year, and crazily enough, I felt like I was missing out. At the same time, I knew that 2024 was truly such a fast-paced year for me and that I would probably ramp up for 2025 in January. (Plus, this isn’t some kind of race to see who’s the most prepared for the new year, lol)
When we got back to SF, I was immediately thrown into a busy period at work. For my accounting friends, quarter end close, year end close, financial statements and the 2024 audit consumed the first three weeks of the month. I was working past 5pm, and on weekends - it was a lot.
My husband and I also started 75 Hard on January 1 which we later stopped on January 21. Again, it didn’t feel sustainable to do two 45-minute workouts when I was so mentally exhausted from work. I also felt like I wasn’t giving it my all. On most days, I would feel too overwhelmed that I would end up doing walks, instead of actual workouts on my spin bike or dumbbells. I was still waking up early but I would plop down on the sofa, reading or just sitting down and drinking my spearmint tea.
Mid-late January was also the time of the Presidential Inauguration. Leading up to that, there were already some shady things going on. From Meta’s choice to remove content moderation, to all the DEI changes across organizations, and big tech CEOs showing support. When I was watching Biden’s last address as President, I got a bit emotional at the part where he was mentioning the formation and rise of an oligarchy. I personally don’t think that individuals with extreme levels of wealth should be in power, and it seems like that’s exactly what’s happening. In the 11 days of the new presidency, so many executive orders have been signed that may really cause harm for many years to come.
This was also the time of the LA wildfires and four small earthquakes in SF - the worst in history, and the most consecutive, respectively.
I know there are things happening that are not in my control, but I’m trying to focus on what I can control. This includes my exposure to the news and my use of social media. There were many points this month where I went into a downward spiral in thinking about the future. What’s it going to look like when we want to move back to Toronto? Do we want to bring a child into this world? But when this happens, I take a deep breath. I remind myself that hard times like this have happened, and that we will get through them. I tell myself that no matter what happens, I have savings, I have good health, and I have loving family and friends, and that I will figure it out.
It can be really easy to fall into the pit of doom. Living in SF and working in tech, I feel like Meet and I are exposed to all this news a lot more which can sometimes turn into an echo chamber. Every time I call home and speak to my mom and dad, they’re so happy and optimistic, and I’m reminded of the importance of mindset. It’s all going to be okay, and this too will pass.
Wow okay, the vibes of this post are gloomy. Although the beginning of January was filled with work and the latter half with world affairs stress, there were some pockets of joy this month. In 2017, I filmed one second every day and compiled it here and I love watching it back. Looking back, I can clearly remember the year but over the past few years, time has been going so fast that it all seems like a blur. So I’ve made it a goal to film the same thing this year for 2025, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Some highlights of January 2025 include:
Checking out the Hallyu! The Korean Wave special exhibit at the Asian Art Museum and learning about the rise of South Korean media
Running my first ever 10km at the Hot Chocolate Run - a separate blog post to come on this
Devouring delicious pastries from Butter & Crumble after waiting 1 hour in line. We didn’t feel so great after having all the pastries over a short period of time (the lesson of moderation strikes once again)
E-biking 42km around the city and developing a new found appreciation for bike lanes - I felt so safe zipping around
Perfecting our overnight oats recipe and trying out a high protein tofu mousse. Grateful to have access to so many fresh ingredients and for all the encouragement, support and stomach space from Meet in trying all my great and not to great creations lol!
Buying a pair of earmuffs that have brought me immeasurable joy - there is nothing better than feeling cold wind on your face but having your ears toasty warm
Taking a four day weekend to relax and do the things I love: painting, pilates and reading. Finished the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas and looking for another series to dive into!
Finally finishing above mentioned painting after going overboard in December which caused me to temporarily lose feeling in my thumb (definitely learnt the importance of moderation here)
Touring a bio oil sequestration plant and furthering my knowledge about carbon removal during my company’s first-ever Sustainability Week
Before sitting down to write this post, I was telling a friend that January went by and it felt like I got nothing done. As I wrote this post and compiled all the happenings, big feelings and thoughts from this month, I realized just how much I had been through. Of course if work took up three weeks of my month, there was bound to be less room for everything else, mentally and physically. Of course if world politics went absolutely bonkers, it would affect my mood and motivation for everything else. I’m giving myself grace and slowly ramping up for the year to come and focusing on small actions to stay consistent.
I’m curious to know how your January went! Sending us all love, light and peace for the next 11 months of the year,
-Reina xo
