2015: New year, new word

2014 was a good year. A welcome change from the crappy year of 2013.
2014 was such a good year, that I fear 2015 will be a bit of a mixed year.

As you know, I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. Instead, every year, I chose a word at the beginning of the year to embrace for the new year.
Last year’s word was Focus.
Did pretty well on achieving a few goals.
Recap of last year can be summarised as:
– changed jobs during the year;
– lots of travel (4 more countries ticked off the list);
– lots of ticking off stuff on the Japan bucketlist. I think I’ve now done about 40 of the 47 prefectures.
– Also did some PB swim distances. Much of last year was spent in the pool. Did an 8km open water swim race. And got 2nd place medal in age group. Missed out on completing a 10km open water swim. Started it, but was unfortunately pulled. So the elusive 10km marathon swim remains on the bucketlist.
– Was also lucky enough to have both my brothers visit me throughout the year (both at separate times). I also did not go back home last year, which is a rarity for me. But have two trips on the agenda for this year for weddings – both best friends getting married this year.

So for 2015, my word is “Minimal”.
Because less is more.

This year will be about cutting back, decluttering (time to discard all the stuff I have a tendency to hoard), minimising all the necessary crap, consuming less, perhaps eating less (I’ve packed on the festive 5 kilos that ensue with Christmas, New Years holidays.) Will try and spend less this year, lose some weight, work smarter and be more efficient with my lifestyle.

Here’s to another year. Make it count.

2014: New year, New Word

A little belated, but here goes anyway.

But first off, a brief recap of last year. My word for 2013 was “new”, and true to word, it was filled with “new” things.
I started a new job at a new company. Lots of new things to learn, new work colleagues etc. It was a trying year to say the least. They say if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. It feels like as if I am going to be working forever. Work has its pros and cons. Am surprised that I survived the year. Just another 12 months to go.
One day at a time.

Along with a new job, I also got a new apartment. After months and moths of apartment hunting, I also moved apartments to accompany the new job change. Moved to a new neighbourhood in Tokyo. Have only been there for about 3-4 months now, but I really like my new apartment and neighbourhood. Apartment is a lot bigger (2LDK), walking distance to a swimming pool. I swim train a lot these days. I’ve averaging 10-12km a week. I’ve also dusted off the old road bike and trying to take up cycling. Where I live is perfect for jogging and cycling. I no longer need gym membership, because I’m able to swim, cycle and jog to my heart’s content.

There was also new friendships and disappointments.

Unfortunately, last year I didn’t do any big overseas trip which I like to do every year. I did a short mini break to Seoul, and 3 trips back to Sydney (not for leisure). But on the upside, I did accomplish something which I had been procastinating doing for a long time, so I’m glad that’s behind me as well. But I’ve done some domestic travel instead.

Also, ran into a little bit of trouble towards the end of the year which put a dampener on things. Let’s just say it involved police and put a little dent on my wallet. But things are all good now.

Trying to start off 2014 fresh.
So the new word for the year is “FOCUS”.
I need to focus on me a bit this year. Focus on my future, focus on my happiness. Last year was about doing things that needed to be done, and not necessarily for the joy of it. But this year, will be about doing things I enjoy and want to do. A large part of that focus is going to be on fitness. I have a handful of physical challenges I want to do this year, mostly around swimming. I am hoping to do a few marathon swims. That means a whopping 10km! So yep, this is going to take a lot of training, motivation and focus.

I’ve also decided to set myself 12 challenges, one for each month. 12 months. 12 challenges. The list is still a kind of work in progress.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8rwR0bCMuVln2bn8O67t-uEsfyARU4ej4d_Dz8cpHxo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LjrJljPCQqQ/Us9nMxLILkI/AAAAAAACeL0/hJaedF2xxd4/s800/focus.jpg&#8221; height=”192″ width=”262″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/January102014?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>January 10, 2014</a></td></tr></table>