BMBR: Escape by James Patterson and David Ellis

 This book wasn't bad; it was decently written. Took a while to get really into it. It read like a million things were going on, and the stuff that happens in the description on the back of the book is so late in the book it's like a spoiler.

 On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is super easy to put down and 5 is I got no sleep, I'd rate it a 1 in the first half and a 3 in the second half.

Easy read. 

Planner Prompt Week 2025-03: Create a Physical Vision Board of Your 2025 Goals and Intentions

 The planner suggests that we use magazine and newspaper cutouts to do this. They must still have those in Australia.

I went to Pinterest and did up a quick board instead.

I'd like to camp, hike, kayak and swim more. Get fitter. Eat better. Paint my house. Go to Haida Gwaii. Write more.

Planner Prompt Week 2025-02: Feel-good activities and rituals that take less than 10 minutes (Self Care)

List some 10 minute or less feel-good activities in your self-care menu. Categories are mind, body, and soul.

Naps. Short ones.

Slowly savouring a square of quality dark chocolate.

Listen to a song with my eyes closed. Warm Shadow by Fink or Afterglow by Ed Sheeran are the go-to's, but not the only ones.

Walk dog. Pet the dog. Pet the cat.

Yoga.

Give and receive hugs.

Massage my toes.

Wash my face.

BMBR: In Too Deep by Lee Child and Andrew Child

 It's a Jack Reacher book, so you really can't go wrong. Unless you start reading right before bedtime.

Planner Prompt 2025 Week 1 - Dec 30-Jan 5: Reflect on your Definition of Fun. What fun experiences or activities would you like to try this year?

 In other words, what's going on your bucket list this year?

I am starting my third Curation planner by Saint Belford. They're sold out of all their 2025 planners already, but you can still get an undated version here.

Each week of the planner contains a prompt for self care, etc., and in each planner the first week of 2025 and the last week of 2024 are the same week (Dec 30-Jan 05), but the prompts are very different. I've done week 53 of 2024 already. 

What do I find fun?

Reading. Hiking. Laughing at funny stories.

I like to be fulfilled, to accomplish things that are out of my comfort zone, but not traumatizingly so. 

I would like to see Haida Gwaii this year. 

I would like to bring others joy by writing a funny book.

I would like to hike in to a camping night. 

I would like to cross-country ski more times this year than last year (so, at least once, basically). 

I would like to learn to Belly Dance again. 

I would like to learn to play the piano so that it has more joy itself, and isn't just a piece of furniture.

I want to feel like I tried something new, make time for the things I love, and still have time to nap. 

Planner Prompt Week 53 - Dec 30-Jan 5: Reflect on the Last 12 Months

I am in love with Curation planners for reasons including the focus on the Self Care, the layouts, and the fact I have used it for two entire years (been a while since I've used one for an entire year through). At the end of each planner they have space for reflecting on your last 12 months.

What's super helpful is the Memory Bank. It's pretty helpful to look back at the year and know that you went to a movie with K2 in November. I know when I took my tree down last year (February); this year it's coming down today. I know when I went to the theatre or symphony, when I had UTI's, when I had coffee with friends.

The next section is the 2024 Reflection, and the prompts are: What are you most proud of? What brought you the most joy and fulfillment this year? If you could rewind the year, what advice would you give yourself? List your biggest insights and lessons. Reflect on how you spent your time and energy this year, what do you want to spend more and less time doing, and where do you want to focus your time and energy for 2025?

I am most proud of doing a CrossFit competition, and hiking a long & hard trail.

Camping, and spending time with family and friends brought me the most joy this year. Progress I made physically, and actually trying to write, gave me great fulfillment.

I don't have much for advice, except to take care of myself. 

I like myself more when I'm not unnecessarily lazy. I do need downtime, but I could watch less TV. Reading always feels like a guilty pleasure, but I'd feel less guilty reading all day than I would watching TV all day. Figure that one out. 

I spent less time on School PAC things, and I'm happier for it. I spent more time on me.

I want to spend my time and energy getting healthier, and working on the house that drives me crazy. I have wanted to repaint the interior for years. I've done some, but not all, and I hate the light-sucking mushroom colour that exists right now. We need to organize the laundry room, under the deck, and the shed so that everything in the house has a safe place to be. I don't need a show-home, but I'm getting tired of not being able to find things.

I want to spend more time with family and friends, most of all.

What about you?

BMBR: Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

 A lovely romance story where even death can't get in the way of personal growth and the love that arises from it. 

As usual, TJ Klune masterfully weaves his tale in such a way that you feel like you are right there in the teashop, and that you know the characters personally.

Wallace, a man no one loves, and whose death brings this story to mind (and a quick verification search lead to this one), dies alone, at work, and finds love after death. 

Not as depressing a story as it sounds, and is in fact quite beautiful.

The moral remains, though: there is more to life than your work, and if not, at least don't be an asshole about it.