Juliana Moves

Hello hello hello, happy Wednesdat! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty fun and busy. The weather was astounding on Saturday. A high of 80 AND sunny! It was like summer arrived early! It does feel like winter today though, soooo… Classic spring in Virginia.

Since we’ve already made it through the first quarter of the year (what! how?!), I thought it’d be fun to do a check in on my 2025 goals as we kick off Q2 (lol). I’m trying not to take these too too seriously this year, so these goals are meant to function as reminders of how I want to live my life this year!

I have a couple goals all separated into categories. Let’s get into it.

Personal

Continue blogging at least 3x a month (I like this creative outlet for my brain!)

So far, so good! I think I’m averaging roughly twice a week and am enjoying it a lot. I’m trying to find a rhythm of alternating a unique post and the weekly “this week” post. I have so many ideas of things I’d like to write about. I just need to actually write them!

Do more VHTRC events (local trail running group that I love)

I think I have been making great progress here! I’ve volunteered at events, done some runs, and have MMT coming up so soon! Patrick is going to do some VHTRC runs and races this year, too. I am looking forward to a spring and summer full of trail adventures!

Explore more art (movies, music, shows, etc)

Lately I’ve been trying to read more literary books, Patrick and I started watching Abbott Elementary, we’re going to see Pride & Prejudice (first time for me!) this month, and I’m hoping to see more shows soon. I also have been slowly going through I Am an Artist too!

Finance

Take the frugal path 2x a month (back in ATX I had no money so I was clever and frugal and more eco-friendly. That’s what I’m trying to harken back to here!)

At first I was being really intentional about this and jotting down whenever I made a frugal choice, but I’ve sort of fallen off of doing that. I am still pretty pleased with my progress in being more intentional about what and how I spend, rather than just spending for convenience or ease!

Save for a big Juliana & Patrick trip (Australia 2025?)

Well, we booked a relatively big trip to Grand Cayman with money I already had saved! I’m not sure if we’ll get to Australia this year, but it’s also not impossible! 

Reduce spending on dumbass stuff (I hate dumbass stuff and yet it calls to me)

I can confidently say I’m doing pretty well here! I have been aiming to do spending tracking three times a month, although I’m really only getting around to doing it twice a month, but I still think it’s helping me be more intentional about purchases. I’ve written about this before but I also have a list of random stuff I want in the notes app of my phone. I’ve found that this is helping curb my impulse buying and it’s a good reminder that sometimes I really only want an item for 24 hours. When I revisit the list I find that I am not interested in some of the items at all anymore! And, when my mom called asking what I wanted for my birthday, I could actually remember!

Fitness

Work out a recovery routine that supports performance and endurance (my aging body has been speaking to me lately)

Well, I’ve been to PT twice this year and have been pretty good about doing my exercises! I also started taking collagen and focusing on my overall protein intake more. I’m still hitting the gym three times a week (most of the time)! I have to say my body creaks and cracks a lot less than it used to. It wasn’t uncommon for me to stand up and multiple joints would pop. That doesn’t really happen anymore! 

I am also sleeping 8-9 hours a night and I can see the recovery payoff. I don’t intend to sleep so much, but my body seems to crave it and I don’t wake up feeling groggy or anything!

Go on a big adventure (vague because I don’t know what yet)

Hey, I’ve got a three day run in Mexico this December planned so I’d say that counts! I really really want to go camping this summer, too.

Climb 3x a month 

Meh, not doing great on this one. We managed it for January, but then February and March were very busy and we both traveled a lot! This month they’re doing renovations at our climbing gym, so we may not hit three climbs until May but time will tell! We’ve gotten better about utilizing that membership for the yoga classes though! 

Do longer yoga sessions

I’m definitely still averaging the minimum of ten minutes of yoga a day. Sometimes I manage 15 minutes and we started going to yin at the climbing gym again, so that helps! 

All in all I am pretty pleased with how my goals are going! This is the first time I’ve really revisited them since December, so I’m pretty proud that I’ve stayed tuned in to living my life in a way I love. Do I still have ambitions and aspirations not listed above? Of course! Reducing my screen time comes to mind immediately. Nonetheless, I’m having fun and that’s the most important part.

Love,

JN