Lifestyle & Health

My taste in books, like most things in my life, is eclectic, odd, and mildly masochistic.

This month, I pushed myself into reading sheet music for piano, finally learning guitar, and experimenting with percussive guitar techniques.

I'm not trying to become a guitar hero or fulfill my eleven-year-old dreams of playing the third movement of Moonlight Sonata. I'm just trying to turn my guitar from expensive décor into an actual instrument, and read sheet music again.

I flirt with all the grace of a Victorian lady having a medical emergency. God have mercy on everyone involved, or we'll all need laudanum and leeches.

Mr. Rogers was wistful, compassionate, and patient. I wanted to be like him. But I am not the pure and unadulterated character of anything. I can be sarcastic, gentle, blunt, kind, patient, impatient, elegant, clever, goofy, and thoroughly stupid—sometimes all in the same conversation.

September is over, and in the spirit of professors who schedule their hardest exams for the Monday after Thanksgiving break, I'm inflicting the same cruelty upon myself: reviewing all my resolutions at once. I always knew I had a sadistic streak.

You wouldn't know it—because I spent all of August writing about July, and all of September procrastinating like a true author—but August was another resolution month. I called it my month of "Making Jesus my first love."

Watching people light up over a handwritten note—even one featuring questionable Renaissance art—reminded me that small gestures of "I thought about you" still matter in our hyperconnected, and yet hyper-distracted world.

My eternal nemesis in the appearance department has always been my hair. Including the first two years of my life, when I was completely bald.

I started sewing, and miracle of miracles, it was going well. Only one curse word escaped—and honestly, I'm not even sure it came from me.

It is officially month 4, and I'm discussing opening-of-month resolutions as though I haven't already begun working on them—which is to say, it is extremely late in the month. This month's focus is on femininity.

Last month in Costa Rica, my Happiness Project focused on words—specifically ditching needless negativity and gossip while cranking up the kindness and encouragement.

Several days into this fresh month, and I have no idea what I'm doing. I do, at least, know what habits I want to instill this month: 1. Reduce gossip 2. Reduce idle complaining 3. Increase kind words

This month has been exciting. I'm feeling consistent results—less stressed, healthier, better. It's unsettling how much difference basic self-care makes when you've been operating like a neglected houseplant for years....

My nightly routine has evolved from simply closing my eyes to strapping myself in like I'm preparing for NASA's zero-gravity toilet training. I remain militantly dedicated to eight hours of sleep. Those who've encountered me after a six-hour night would testify under oath that this isn't vanity — it's public safety.

This month I'm adding a new set of resolutions relating to physical health: Nutrition. Sleep. Exercise. This month's focus isn't just about physical health—it's also about energy and vitality, addressing the "hurry idol" I began to challenge last month.

Over the last month, I've decluttered my life with renewed determination... And I've figured out a few things.

I'm on a mission to declutter my mind as well - whether it's unnecessary worries, the illusion of future contentment, or guilt over abandoned hobbies.

I can't be everywhere at once. Happiness is frequently at odds with freedom, and that's okay.

Surviving the crushing weight of time-management decisions.