January 2025

I was looking back at my January 2024 journal notes and reflecting on how far I’ve come from the unknown to where I am now. It’s amazing how, as we move through life day by day, we often feel unsure about our direction and whether we're making progress. But then, looking back a year, the changes you've achieved really stand out. Even if each change seems small, they accumulate into significant growth over time.

During a WIRED interview, Mark Cuban once said something that truly resonated with me: you have to be agile in business. This concept has stuck with me and is a guiding principle in my life.

While I often share month-to-month updates, I typically begin each reflection with a tarot spread reading to assess my progress and identify areas for improvement. That process takes time, but I’ve realized that understanding what holds me back is essential. Being agile means recognizing what works and what doesn't and then adapting as necessary.

At the end of December 2024, I even created a spreadsheet to outline my goals for 2025. I did something similar for 2024, but I realized this year I needed to visit my goals daily and break them down into simple, actionable steps.

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges our way — like my terrible period cramps arriving or dealing with a nasty migraine earlier this month. I tried to rest during those times, but it was hard to seriously relax without thinking about work. But sometimes, you really gotta trust that this is life telling you to take time to breathe.

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Now, onto the highlights of January:

Treasure

First, there's Treasure, my 14-year-old Corgi.

He’s the sweetest old man, constantly by my side while I work.

I remember when he was younger, he would eagerly pull me along during our walks. Now, I have to encourage him to keep moving. While I'd love to get him a doggy stroller, I know that keeping him active is crucial for his health.

Trashie

Then there was cleaning out our old clothes with Trashie. I often do my "Spring Cleaning" in January, and this month was no exception.

We had this huge pile of clothes in the closet that needed to go. So, I bought a few Trashie bags and decluttered our space, including old towels and sheets.

It always feels good to create a cleaner environment and clear out what we don’t need.

monthly date

My partner and I continued our tradition of monthly dates on the 15th, celebrating our little monthaversary.

This month, he surprised me with Indian food! I had been craving it for a while, and we finally got to enjoy a delicious meal at our local Indian restaurant, complete with naan and, my favorite, Mango Lassi.

Vineapple +
Squibb Park

We also had a lovely Saturday morning date before heading to Trader Joe’s, stopping at Vineapple for breakfast. The food was delicious, and the ambiance was cozy.

Afterward, we explored Squibb Park, and it was a special moment for me since I had visited the park about five years ago. The views of the city were beautiful, and it looked like a perfect spot for morning runs.

snow!

Finally, I have to mention the snow!

It hadn’t snowed in NYC for ages (since 2021), so it was a nice surprise when the snow finally stuck to the ground. It might not have been much, but it was lovely to see.

Overall, January has been a chill yet busy month. Even with the cold weather keeping us indoors, we took time to explore Brooklyn, which made it all worthwhile.

Thanks for reading! Here’s to an exciting February ahead!

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check out my HOSHINOYA Guguan vlog!

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