Remaining evening, for the 3rd Wednesday in a row, I ventured to the Whiteside Theater in downtown Corvallis to observe an outdated film. Two weeks in the past, it used to be Nationwide Lampoon’s Christmas Holiday. Remaining week, it used to be It is a Glorious Lifestyles. And the day past used to be Big name Wars. Where used to be packed! So a laugh to observe a favourite movie in an outdated theater with a few hundred different lovers.

I have additionally been gazing many films at house in recent times. I in spite of everything have the time. In step with Letterboxd, I have noticed seventeen motion pictures in December. I watched 9 in November. I revel in exploring the nooks and crannies of cinema. (I extremely suggest Letterboxd, by way of the way in which. I have been the use of it to log my movie gazing for 2 years, and I will be able to now not believe no longer the use of it.)

My days were busy, too.

Within the mornings, as at all times, I stroll the canine. In recent times, despite the fact that, we’ve got been taking longer walks: 90 mins, two hours. A part of it is because I have embarked upon a loopy undertaking to map each and every Little Loose Library and farmstand on the town [my map]. However a bigger phase is as a result of I’m, finally, prioritizing health once more.

A few of you could recall that I misplaced 40 kilos throughout COVID. I used to be pleased with my health going into 2021, however then I were given sidetracked by way of promoting a area, purchasing a area, and an overly shitty 2022. I fell into my unhealthy addiction of tension consuming. I did not do any workout. I won fifty kilos — the whole lot I might misplaced in 2020 and extra. Neatly, for the previous 3 weeks I have been each exercising and consuming proper. I am again on the fitness center. In January, I am becoming a member of some buddies for a 30-day yoga problem.

To enable you make wholesome alternatives with meals, I have slowly been re-vamping our kitchen. We’ve got lived on this area for fifteen months now, so now we have a greater thought of the place other kitchen equipment must reside. Plus, after greater than a decade with Kim, I have made up our minds it is time to ditch a few of our outdated kitchen stuff (a few of which we’ve got owned because the Nineteen Nineties!) and improve to higher equipment. I now personal 3 great knives, and they are a pleasure to make use of.

In the meantime, after eighteen months of speaking about artwork, I have begun to dabble in it. No longer a lot, however some. Previous this month, I began a day-to-day artwork magazine. I am taking part in with pens and drawing kinds. I purchased an inexpensive watercolor set and am having a laugh taking part in with that. When I am not gazing films, I am continuously gazing artwork instruction on YouTube.

Plus, I am doing different a laugh stuff. I am studying books and comics. I am spending extra time with buddies — each on Zoom and in Actual Lifestyles.

In brief, December has been my highest month in a very long time. I’ve been main a values-driven existence and it presentations. I will be able to really feel it. The folks round me can really feel it to.

However realize what is no longer on that listing. What am I no longer doing? Writing about cash. Since my mom died in early October, I have been on a planned three-month sabbatical. It is transparent that I wished it. It is usually transparent that I most probably want extra time to myself. Like any of 2023.

I discussed previous this month that I need to make 2023 the 12 months of J.D. And it is true. That is precisely what I’ll do. I’ll prioritize doing what I need once I need it. I do not imply this in some hedonistic method. I imply it in a “pursuing that which fulfills me” method. Does that make sense?

My primary precedence for the approaching yr is to concentrate on health. Kim and I are doing this in combination for the primary time since we met at Crossfit, and it feels superior to be at the identical web page. It is such a lot more uncomplicated to do that as a crew. In conjunction with workout and well being consuming, I am additionally addressing some lingering well being problems: blood drive, sleep apnea, and so on.

My quantity two precedence for 2023 is to proceed constructing (and re-building) friendships right here in Corvallis. Even supposing I establish as an introvert, it is transparent that I am not. I want social interplay, and I have never been getting sufficient of it. I am running on it.

My 3rd precedence for the following 12 months is to dive into artwork. I have struggled to begin for a few causes.

• First, I do not know the place to begin. I am an entire amateur. I have by no means finished anything else creative in my existence. (Neatly, no longer fully true. In junior top, a pal and I used to attract our personal comedian books, however that used to be child stuff.)
• 2nd, I do not know what sort of artwork to pursue. Do I need to draw? Do I need to paint? One thing else fully?

This month, I have stopped eager about those kinds of questions and as a substitute begun doing no matter I need with pens and paint. The one method to determine the place to move is to check out issues. Plus, I am taking note of what excites me. Comics excite me, clearly, and at all times have. However I am additionally figuring out that I really like what I might name “mid-century spot representation” taste: heavy brush strokes, roughly cartoony.

A last precedence is to make a decision which tasks to pursue round the home. Kim and I moved right here on the finish of August 2021. We adore Corvallis, and we all know that is the place we need to reside. Our home is completely wonderful, however…it isn’t easiest. (No area ever is.) After “losing” $150,000+ making adjustments to our ultimate area then shifting after 4 years, I am extra wary right here. If we keep, I am prepared to spend cash and energy to beef up issues. But when we do not, I do not need to burn up the assets.

So, Kim and I wish to decide: Will we decide to staying at this position for, say, a decade or so? Or can we agree that it is only a brief position? If we are going to stick, then I’ve a few tasks I need to take on nearly straight away. I need rework a rest room — possibly two. And I need to give the again backyard a significant overhaul. (The “bones” of the backyard are forged, however the house is overgrown with ferns and weeds after just about a decade of overlook.)

So, the ones are my plans for 2023. Once more, realize how Get Wealthy Slowly isn’t in this listing.

I can’t make a decision what to do about Get Wealthy Slowly. What position does it play in my existence? Does it play a job in my existence?

This is a part of a bigger query about what position I need the web (and computer systems themselves, in reality) to play in my existence. Over the last few years, it is grow to be transparent that for me (as with many others, I do know) the web supplies simply as many issues because it does answers. And, in truth, I believe that my fresh struggles with psychological well being were exacerbated by way of the web. In all probability even brought about by way of the web.

One possibility is to easily minimize the twine totally and stroll away. Promote the web page. Surrender writing about cash perpetually. Believe it a segment of my existence and transfer on. There are numerous upsides to this selection, I will admit. However I am not satisfied it is the most suitable choice. What if I finally end up regretting the verdict? What if I do make a decision I need a spot to discuss cash once more?

But even so, there are two large causes I need to stay Get Wealthy Slowly (or, in all probability, Cash Boss in its stead). For one, I in reality do need to create a web-based encyclopedia of private finance, a spot uncluttered by way of commercials and analytics and bullshit, a spot the place other people can get dependable, impartial cash information. 2nd, and in all probability extra importantly, I am a author. I specific myself via phrases. I revel in having an outlet to proportion what I am feeling. Similar to this!

So, I equivocate.

I’m going from side to side.

I feel and I feel and I consider the most efficient direction to take.

However you understand what? It isn’t a choice I’ve to make at this time. Presently, the most efficient factor is to easily do what I have been doing. It sort of feels to be running. December has been all about me and my wishes, and that’s the reason what 2023 will likely be too.

Within the coming yr, I am going to concentrate on health. I’ll proceed exploring artwork and gazing films. I am going to hang around with buddies. In the end, I’ll commute once more. (I have already got plans to discuss with Colorado, Mexico, Greece, Ecuador, and extra!) I’ll spend time with Kim and our beasts. I’ll learn. I’ll prepare dinner.

And now and again — for now, a minimum of — I will drop by way of Get Wealthy Slowly to proportion what I have been pondering and doing.

Satisfied vacations, everybody. I will see you subsequent yr.