It’s 2025!
We’re officially in the new year and a few weeks away from the start of the spring semester. I’m enjoying the quiet and calm before getting my first series of assignments and deadlines. Yes, I’m looking forward to my classes, my readings, and most importantly taking another spin at being a student again just with a few changes in mind. I aim to prioritize my health and making this academic journey sustainable and fulfilling.
That being said, here’s a few things I’m choosing to let go of or embrace:
- Saying good-bye to coffee (failed by March 2025)
- Saying good-bye to soda (insert sad emoji)
- Prioritizing sleep and evening routines
- Calling and connecting to my loved ones more
- Creating healthy meals for work and home
- Decluttering my personal spaces
- Completing work before its due
- Reading, writing, and creating more
hydration
I will hydrate more, but when the days get tough and I need a good pick-me-up, I’m going back to good’ole water, teas, and the love of my life, chai lattes.
rest
I used to be able to work off of 4-5 hours of sleep. I even remember years ago, pulling an all-nighter and thinking that was a pretty awesome accomplishment. Nowadays, I can’t fully function on so little sleep instead my body wants at least 7 hours to feel like it can be productive over the course of a day. This will be tough, but establishing evening routines will help in making sure I’m in bed and ready to get my ZZZs in.
connection
Life moves by so quickly and this past year our family experienced a serious health scare. It made me realize how important it is to check in with family, friends, and loved ones. I’m not getting any younger, in fact, I will be hitting the big 4-0 in a few years. Connecting, calling, and sharing messages of love are things I hope to do more in 2025 and onward.
nourishment
I’m going to keep this goal simple. I’m not the best cook and the simpler the better. My aim is to cook and prepare simple (manageable) meals that I can bring to work and eat at home. Nourishing the body and mind makes us all better students. I’m also hoping to unlearn not-so-healthy habits along the way (ie. saying adios to coffee, soda, and sugar).
clean spaces
It’s true what the say. Decluttered spaces = decluttered minds. I’ve been on the minimalist journey in the past and don’t consider myself a purest, but I definitely align with the idea that the more you own, the more stress you’ll have. Instead, have what you need (functional) and what brings you joy (fun). I’ve been good at going through cycles of decluttering and it’s time I give it another go. For me the hardest things to get rid of are papers and sentimental items. I hope to at least make my spaces more manageable so it can help with my studies.
completing work on time
I’m a recovering procrastinator and I know this will be my biggest hurdle of the semester. Fortunately, I’m only taking two classes and I hope to plan ahead by reviewing all my assignment deadlines. Planning ahead today means less stress tomorrow. Let’s see how well I do this semester.
creating more
Well that’s what I hope to do with this blog. I hope that in this journey I read more books and journal articles, that I write more posts and even scholarly papers (I’m also an academic), that I get creative in my photography and content creation. I hope to create at a pace that is healthy and sustainable to me. I’m not committing to X number of posts per week or a specific posting day, just whenever it feels right to share insights into my academic life.
I hope you’re considering adopting new health habits this new year – and please remember, we’re not judging ourselves if we don’t meet these aims. We’re human, we stumble, we try again.
To your salud & success.
AW
📸 Image credit: Photo by Brigitte Tohm
