Goodbye 2024 : Welcome 2025 – The Year of New and Exciting Adventures?
Another year has passed. In fact, they seem to be moving faster and faster. Wasn’t it just 2020? I know I’m not the only one who feels this way since “time flies” has become such a common statement.
There is actually scientific research on this subject, so I know it’s not just in my own mind. Apparently the older we get, the less new experiences we have each year, so our brain makes less memories and our perceptions of these memories are less vivid. Sounds complicated and slightly depressing.
I read a fascinating book this year called “Why we Remember” by Charan Ranganath, that went into much discussion and detail on how our brains work and why and how memories are retained. The book laid to rest some of my concerns about my memory and aging – such as why can’t I remember names? and why am I having more trouble recalling words and books I’ve read (thankfully both normal to my relief).
But reading the book also made me think about the importance of challenging myself and trying new things every year. After all, new experiences make stronger memories.
We all know trying new things can be scary, but it can also be fun and exciting. It’s mentally stimulating to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and learn something new or go on an adventure. We are such creatures of habit, frequently to our detriment.
It’s so easy to fall into a rut with our everyday lives since we make ourselves so busy, running from place to place until we crash on the couch at night to mindlessly watch TV until bed time (I know I am not the only one!). The days can so easily just melt together – work, gym, dinner, TV, bed, repeat. I know a running joke with so many people is that they can’t remember what they did yesterday or what they ate for dinner the night before. This is so true when we do virtually the same thing every day. We talk about the shows we watch on Netflix but as time passes even with shows I really enjoyed it is a challenge to remember the plot in detail and forget remembering character names!
I thought when my boys were both away at college I would have so much more free time. After all, I no longer have PTA, after school sporting events to attend, or school events. Crazy me. Somehow, without any conscious thought, that time has been slowly filled. I’m not even sure I could tell you what I filled it with on some days! That’s a slightly scary thought as well. I am a person who likes to be busy. I do better busy, but I did think I’d have more downtime – I was going to fill it of course, but I thought it would be there to fill.
All my big plans for the things I was going to do with that elusive free time haven’t come to fruition. I did finally take the nutrition class at the community college I have been wanting to take this fall so that’s a big one, but my paints still lay unused, and my project list is still long.
I’m not at all big on resolutions, so I’m not going to call this a resolution, I will instead call it a goal. In 2025 it will be my goal to try new things and continue being more adventurous. I want to keep making more and more vivid memories with my family and my friends. I’m not sure exactly what this will look like, but I’m game.
Anyone need a wingman this year? Unless it involves heights or tiny spaces or dark, tiny spaces, I’m your woman.
