Last day before I got back to my regularly scheduled program.

Last day of this small temporary routine that I had made for myself whenever I decided to stay home for the holidays.

Last day of my break.

I’ll be spending it doing something a little out of the norm, which is getting my eyes checked out. I usually do it on a weeknight, but I needed new contacts. I’m not even going to my usual optometrist but the other one just because she was available sooner.

I guess in a way, I am glad that the break is over and that we are starting things back up again. I have a little more routine and more direction in my day instead of just being at home vegging out in front of the couch. I’m glad that I kind of won’t have idle hands anymore.

Last day.

* * *

Back to routine.

Back to trying to eat healthier, not that I’m eating horribly now, but I have definitely gained some weight that I lost back during the break.

It was just a lot of time for me to cook and eat and cook and eat while not being as active.

Definitely need to get my step count back up.

Something to look forward to.

Back to routine.

* * *

Hey Jude

Music.

It’s such a big part of my life.

Humming the sweet melodies that are stuck in my head as I walk the halls. Most of them are the last songs or melodies that I heard before I go on these little brisk walks.

They are strong in creating memories.

Different songs bring up different memories and emotions, time traveling to the distant past. So contemplative.

Music.

Such a wonder.

But I don’t think music have that strong of an impression on me anymore. I listen to music differently now.

Before, I would do everything to the sound of music. I burn miles with a soundtrack that was current with that time. My long morning walks with Pickles would be filled with pop tunes or whatever I was interested in.

Now, music is on the back burner, replaced by books and podcasts. From time to time, I’ll take a time out and listen to music on these walks, filling my life with melodies instead of the spoken word, but they are few and far between.

Music is put aside as I try to maximize my time. I get through books easier and faster if I listen to them. I get through interesting podcasts the same way.

But there is a little FOMO going on though. I don’t want to miss out on the interesting podcast or the be so out of the loop in the cultural zeitgeist. I guess I’ll just have to let it go and be okay with that.

That’s why my YouTube feed is so fucking crowded. I don’t need to see everything. Not everything I watch on there on the regular is interesting, but yet, I add them on my queue.

Maybe this something that I’ll need to start doing for the new year, cut down on unnecessary shit.

I love books, so Audible will stay. Interesting podcasts will stay. YouTube is the biggest time suck and I’ll have to whittle it down. I’ve worked down my watch later queue, so I can start to re-curate with only things that are interesting and maybe it is time to unsubscribe from a few feeds.

Let’s do that now. Cleaned. Cut down. Smaller.

Now I only listen to music is when I’m working or writing. Not many impressionable memories being made there.

* * *

De-clutter.

There’s too much junk in my house, in my life.

There’s just a lot of stuff that I horde in which I will rarely ever use. I keep stuff when I really don’t need to.

Throw them out. Toss them away, I say.

Whittle things down to the bar essentials.

It’ll make life simpler.

Maybe.

It makes sense and I don’t see why not.

I’ve already cleaned out my closet and donated clothes that I don’t wear anymore.

I’ve cleaned out my drawers and cabinets last year and it might be time to do it again.

My kitchen drawers are a mess.

Toss everything.

Donate everything.

Clean out.

De-Clutter!

Live simpler.

Live better.

* * *