Happy New Year! The last few years have involved a lot of change and self discovery for me. Finally could this be my year?
Let’s start with 2024 in review. There were a lot of challenges, to say the least. But with those came the resilience to overcome them. Self doubt crept in regularly throughout the year. I also keep finding more self confidence.
My daughter’s anxiety was the worst it has ever been for a few months. I was so worried about her that I developed some troublesome physical symptoms. But she got through it and really ended the year on a high note. She had her first full year of dance and got to perform on stage at multiple events. Then she was also given an award at school to high academic achievement. There are still a lot of bad days for her, so I’m sure there will be more challenges this year.
Due to some health issues, it was recommended I stop doing some daily exercises and yoga. I’ve continued going to the gym, but it was a lot more inconsistent last year. My IBS journey started out really well when I got onto gut directed hypnotherapy. But unfortunately that didn’t last and it got so much worse again. I believe the last few months have been better though with more fibre in my diet. Plus I’ve started taking some new IBS supplements, so hope is there for this year.
I was able to gain some new friends this past year, which has really helped my self confidence. This has also made me realize how socially awkward I can be when there’s a big group of people. But for the first time since I moved to Australia over twenty years ago, I’ve got some really close friends.
My passion in life has always been acting. After helping backstage on the local musical earlier in the year, I finally got back on stage for the later show. It was another amazing experience and my singing is getting so much better. Now I’ve been cast in the next show and there’s some other exciting opportunities coming up this year. Who knows, maybe a lead role may be possible. Could this be my year?
The local arts council that puts on these musicals had their annual general meeting and I decided to nominate myself for the committee. So now I’ve got something else to keep me busy and socially connected to like-minded people. I’m looking forward to contributing to the shows and the community.
I’m going to attempt quitting smoking tomorrow. After smoking every day for over thirty years, I’m not sure how I’ll go. But I know it will help so much with my singing and dancing for these shows. If I can quit, then maybe I can save some money for a new vehicle and a trip back to see my family in Canada. Speaking of which, with so much going on now in my life, I’m not missing my home country as much. I would like to get back again in the next twelve months though.
The kids seem to be inspired by different things I do now. My daughter wants to pursue musical theatre at school and my son is regularly working out at home to get fit. They are still the best thing in my life and hopefully I can make some more great memories with them this year.
I have activated a couple of dating apps again this year. After a year of staying busy with my kids and new close friends, there’s still big feelings of loneliness. It has been more than ten years since I even held a woman’s hand. I’m starting to get tears in my eyes thinking about that. It would be so nice to have someone special in my life to go on new adventures with, to look after me when I’m sick, to talk to after a hard day, to spend Christmas with and to share my wins with. Could this be my year?