Lifestyle Changes in 2025 - Review

Back in January I wrote about the Lifestyle Changes I want to achieve in 2025, and now we are over half way through the year, it seems like a good time to review progress so far.

Home: I've achieved exactly what I set out to do and am pleased with how things are progressing. I moved into this bungalow on March 17th and have taken the time to settle in before making any major changes. As I've settled into my own routine I've been making notes of things in the house that either don't quite work for me or additions that I'd like to have, and I've now reached the stage where I am placing the orders for the tradesmen and the various units, tiles, and cupboards that are needed for Phase 1 of the improvements. If everything goes according to plan, by the end of September I will have a new kitchen, a new bathroom, and the existing electrics throughout the bungalow and garage will be replaced with lots of additional sockets added. By the end of October my study should be ready and the new radiators in place, and by the end of the year I hope to have the replacement doors and windows installed and my own bedroom furnished (although I haven't really given any thought to what I want in there yet!). 

Garden: The garden needs a lot of work. The hard landscaping is scheduled to start in November, but at that time of the year the progress will be weather dependent. There will be a new and larger patio, both side fences will be replaced, and the sleepers forming the retaining walls at the end of the garden by the stream will also be replaced. 

The majority of the actual planting will wait until next year but maybe some of the roses and spring bulbs can be planted after the fences and retaining walls are finished. It all depends on gardener M really. I keep in touch with her but I haven't seen her since early July as she is recovering from major surgery and hasn't given a date for her return to work, though I'm not really expecting it to be this year. I also wonder whether she will continue working, so it may be that I'll need to look for another gardener. 

Music: I did start playing the piano again and loved it, even though I seemed to have forgotten everything I ever learned! However, that's now stopped for the time being as the piano is once again hidden behind other furniture and packing boxes as I start clearing the other rooms ready for the electrician to start work. My energy levels are still really poor and I can only do a bit at a time, which is why I have started so early! Niall helps a lot when he is here but I don't want it all to be on his shoulders, so am doing my best to be proactive ... although I am extremely good at taking a supervisory role when needed!

Photography: Some photography is getting done but it's just snaps using my phone camera. I've continued to run the u3a Something Snappy group once a month and I have resumed my monthly photo challenge on this blog, but I haven't even unpacked my DSLR yet so 'proper photography' is still on the wish list. I should do something about it but I'm not even sure now which packing box the DSLR is in and I don't want to search through all of them to find it. My study should be completed by the end of October so that's when most of the stuff in the packing boxes will be put away and I will find the camera then ... fingers crossed. I know that Joy is keen to meet up and take some 'proper photos' together so I have that to look forward to.

Swimming: I haven't been swimming at all this year, not even when we were on holiday, so that's something I want to plan into my week. I need the exercise for one thing but also, after a lifetime of being scared of the water, I was really enjoying it. I don't currently have any medical reasons to avoid swimming so it's just a case of getting organised and is something I need to focus on.

Reading: I'm so happy with my progress in this area of my life. I've started reading again and, after quite a few years of rarely picking up a book, I now always have a book on the go. I quite often relax by reading in bed before I fall asleep and feel I am sleeping better as a result. There's nothing else quite like losing yourself in the pages of a book and I'm so glad to have brought this back into my life.

Healthy lifestyle: This is very much a work in progress! I have bought a walking pad (small treadmill) for use at home but am not yet in the habit of using it everyday. I also plan to resume the personal training sessions with Amy once she is back from maternity leave, and also weekly swimming session. I find it hard to be consistent with any exercise as I so often feel ill or in too much pain to do anything, so I always seem to be playing catch up with myself! My energy levels are very poor at the best of times so, for now, I'm just aiming for the best I can.

I've done my best with healthy eating in a home that doesn't have a proper kitchen, but that will become easier once the kitchen is completed and I can resume batch cooking. I can also take over the shopping from Niall and ensure that there aren't any temptations around! I'm not losing any weight and that's a concern so, if I can get an appointment (!!), I want to discuss it with my GP.

Blogging: I've been really useless at blogging regularly, and I apologise again for that. It's partly to do with the fact that I rarely go out now and actually don't have anything worth writing about and also, I think, that I have just got out of the habit. This is something I want to do so it's something I will have to focus on ... maybe an excuse for some list making of possible blog posts?

... and also some thinking about what I don't want in my life in 2025

Hoarding: The decluttering is happening slowly but will speed up once I start unpacking boxes when the study is ready at the end of October. I have cleared out lots of books since I've been here ... unwanted novels, music tutor books, and music reference books have all gone to the charity shops, and also some clothes which I never wear. It's another work in progress but I do feel ready to be more ruthless this time!

Wasting time: I'm doing better than I was but I feel I still waste an awful lot of time scrolling through Facebook and YouTube videos. It's still a work in progress I'm afraid!