I am my greatest project. I've been working on this bad boy for 27 years! Lately life has gotten a little more bumpy.. I spent ~5 months taking a hard look inward, and my life started to feel very small as I dug deeper. Now I have finally found the answers I was looking for, and like a mechanic I am whizzing away at the screws I've loosened and putting together a few upgrades for future endeavors.

For one I've started to take my health more seriously. I put on weight last year from stress, and was fairly insecure and unhappy with my body. This March I lost 12 lbs, and I've managed to keep it off through working out at the gym and running consistently.

Speaking of running - I have been running every day for 2 months now with no rest days! It has been seriously difficult on my body from how rapidly I am progressing - from a completely sedentary lifestyle to a month of running 5Ks (3.1 miles), right into daily 10Ks! I'm planning to complete a marathon this year. But running for me isn't just about fitness actually, it's about proving to myself I have the ability to commit hard to something. Just building this stupendous discipline.

Mentally/Emotionally, I've taken a serious dive back into therapy/psychiatry for the first time since I graduated. I actually signed up with the explicit goal of correcting my avoidant attachment style to be a better partner, and unpacking the family/previous relationship trauma that got me here. It's been incredibly insightful. I feel like I've unlocked a whole new understanding of myself that I couldn't put into words before. They also want me to get tested for bipolar II. I have now had four (4) mental health professionals speculate it... I'm starting to get the hint.

I've also been exploring new hobbies and trying to expand my world a bit. I recently completed a motorcycle safety course and got my motorcycle license! I'm actually going to get my gear and look at a used sportsbike this week. I'm also taking up fun small side projects like working on restoring an abandoned table I found on the street. I've been so crazy excited to work on it, I've just been too busy. I already started sanding it and have a walnut stain ready.

I'm even sweating the small stuff: I recently got invisalign to fix my goofy smile. I'm getting back into my skin care routine. And I'm slowly but surely fixing my posture (I just sat up as I typed that).

With work I've found a much healthier work life balance, where I'm done when I go home. No more 12hr+ days. And not to count my chickens before they hatch but I'm aiming for a promotion to senior SWE this year. I've been taking on more responsibilities, and am a mentor again to the newest hire. My supervisor even said I'm such a good mentor they plan to send me any new hires going forward. And my social anxiety has also improved massively from being in office again!

I've even started to put myself out there a bit again too, to test the waters. It's tough! But things have been going well. It's nice to be wanted.

Perchance I'll finally start my company this year too. I've got great ideas, and am working on my CAD skills and learning more about business. One of my friends just started their business too and wants me to join as a web developer.

I keep thinking lately, 2025 is a big year for me. I'm putting in the work, and people are starting to take notice. It's actually incredibly satisfying how many friends have literally come up to me / messaged me because they've heard how about all the crazy ways I'm pushing myself hard.