End of year post....Good bye 2025

My word that I assigned the year 2025 was "simplify".  In looking back at my year in blog posts, I do feel like I started this process and for the most part did a good job.  I said no to a lot of things I would normally say yes to including a board position re-nomination, PTO nomination for middle school, a new board position in a new club nomination, and being the one that brings food and or volunteers for every sporting event my child participates in.  I've given my time in all of these areas, so I let go of the word YES and let go of the guilt of the word NO.  I've been a work in progress for sure and still have far to go but ask my mom and my therapist how proud they are of me LOL!!!!!  In some ways it sounds very selfish yet in other ways, I have taken this year to take care of me, to set up VERY healthy boundaries, and to keep up with my work outs and physical health in ways I never have previously sans guilt.  

This is the year I started back with strength training, not just classes but actually lifting.  As I near 50, lifting and being strong is very important to battle the effects of perimenopause and eventually menopause.  I wanted to get back to lifting heavy shit, and I did so in a big way.  I started this journey last year thanks to a coworker encouraging me to go to classes.  Then this year, Tony bought me a real racking system (I had a bar and some free-standing racks already) and I got some new kettlebells and dumbbells and used the Peloton Strength app to guide me.  I scaled back my running in the summer and installed 4-5 work outs a week since my ability to deal with heat on runs has gone way down and Ollie can't not lose her ever loving mind every run.  Even when I got back to running post summer heat, I have still maintained 2 lifting work outs a week while running 3 times a week and for that, I am super proud of me.    

This year we also said goodbye to our favorite sport, quarter midget racing.  I ended my second, 2-year term as secretary and emotionally tried to let go knowing this was it.  We really had hoped for at least one more year, but Andrew's huge growth spurt sealed the deal. I'm sad to walk away but I know the club is in good hands and I will always be around for a call or a text.  Emotionally, this was HUGE for me.  This club and all the things that go with it has lived rent free in my brain for 7 years.  To have extra space for other bigger and better things is well... big.  While I thank this club so much for getting me back into therapy, I'm ready to move on mentally and emotionally.  I swear kid's sports will wreck you if you let it and boy did I ever.  

This year I started on hormone replacement therapy.  It's expensive and not covered by insurance BUT I am seeing small improvements in my life.  My energy has been more stable and my desire to work out daily has returned.  I am still not 100 percent sold that testosterone is exactly what I needed, and I am pausing it till the new year however I do feel like we are the right track.    I also started on hair growth therapy as I have seen my already thinning hair thin out even more.  As a woman, my hair defines me and not having much and watching my hair line recede daily is a huge blow to my self-esteem.  I have tried every supplement and shampoo out there and I'm excited to finally see some improvement.  I have worked hard to up my protein intake and eat a little better, but I am not perfect and still love a good set of mcd's chicken nuggies.  I am so glad and lucky that a nutrition store opened up in our town and has helped me with this journey with some good (expensive) clean options.  

This year, I also endured our last year of middle school sports and watching my kid essentially stand on the side lines game after game.  There have been tears and frustration on my part, but we made it through, and I am glad to be on the other side.  I am not sure what high school will look like sports wise but it's his decision and I am standing by whatever he decides.  I have learned that if he isn't bothered by this bull crap that I shouldn't be.  I need to keep my mom heart in my body and not on my sleeve and move on.  

This year I also worked more hours than I ever have in my adult life.  Two jobs, lots of hours at my #1 job and lots of time on my feet, work trips that took me to the great white north (see above picture), lots of late nights working on experiments for new products, and lots of weekends working.  I do love overtime and what it does for my paycheck but also this breakneck pace is about to wear me out.  Sometimes I feel like I am back in grad school and I am not a spring chicken.   I do have 22 weekends at least planned for racing for next year with more to come.  I'm not sure if this is going to work for my current job and its weekend expectations so stay tuned. I don't want to leave my job as I love what I do and I love working so close to home, but it's not fair also to be the only one constantly saying no to weekends.  

I think those are the biggest events and changes in my 2025.  On to 2026!

As usual, I don't have any real resolutions for the new year.  I would like to continue to get 2 lifting work outs and 3 runs a week as I can and have grace with myself when I can't.  Dirt racing is going to be different and tough for me to adjust to with the late nights and the faster cars, but I am looking forward to the challenge.  I would like to continue to hit my protein goals as overall I feel SO much better when I do.  I would also like to get back to 10 mile long runs on the weekends or some sort of longer runs on the weekends before race season starts.  I will probably keep to mainly lifting in the summer thanks to Ollie losing her mind on every run and me not doing well with heat.

My word for 2026 since I like that versus resolutions is adventure!  2026 will be full of new adventures for our little family and I can't wait!  Middle school move up, high school freshman year starts, potentially high school football and wrestling, Disney trip with the band, marching band field show time, dirt racing, and more exciting projects at work.  Life is a fun adventure right now I am here for it!  Have a safe and happy New Year!