A Recap of All the Things!

It’s officially 2025! Do you remember how this newsletter all started? My very first article had a list of things that I wanted to accomplish in the year 2024. Since it is now 2025, I figured it’s a good time to see how I got along. Here’s the list:

• Become a stronger swimmer

• Read at least two books this year

• Fix that ‘84 Datsun sitting in my driveway

• Run a half marathon

• Go to doctor and dentist regularly

• Work out at least 3x a week

• Learn to golf

• Give myself grace and let life happen as it may

So, how’d I do?

Goal #1: Well, I in fact did not become a strong swimmer.

Off to a great start here. Don’t worry, it gets better.

Goal #2: Not only did I read 2 books. I read 5 books! Well, I finished 5 books. Audiobooks for the win! Take this as you like but I’m counting it as goal accomplished.

Goal #3: I did work on that ‘84 Datsun but due to money and what not, it is still a very large paperweight. Currently needing to replace the fuel pump, but even when I fix that and even if it does start running, it needs so many more repairs that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully drive it. Or afford to keep it running. I’ll take a half a point for this goal. You know what they say, A for Affort.

Goal #4: After a little under 4 months of training I did indeed run a half marathon! In November I ran the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon in downtown Richmond. It was the first of many I’m sure, and yes, I’ve been keeping up with it and am still running regularly. No matter how much it sucks. Check it out!

Goal #5: I did go to the doctor this year, but I never made it to the dentist. I had an appointment scheduled but then it got rescheduled for early 2025. So, I’ll say ¾ of a point for this because, once again, A for Affort. I tried. I really did.

Goal #6: I ended up working out in some form and being active 3 to 5 days a week for a majority of the year whether that be CrossFit, running, or general physical activity. Ended up losing around 15 pounds this year too so definitely a full point on this goal!

Goal #7: Solid 0 points. May have touched a golf club once at Drive Shack, or putt-putt, or something. We’ll try again next year.

Goal #8: One of the hardest, if not the hardest, goal on the list. I did the best I could on this one but as I’m sure you all know, giving yourself grace is a hard pill to swallow. A for Affort. 3 points!

Where to From Here?

It’s a new year, which means new goals. I hope you conquered your goals last year and I hope you conquer all your goals this year! As for me, I’ve got a long list of goals for the year and can’t wait to tackle all of them. Having goals and a plan is single handedly the greatest thing I’ve done to improve my self-confidence and feel capable of handling anything life throws at me.

Life is never easy but here we all are living it. So, here’s to a new year and new adventures. Speaking of new adventures, this will officially be the final newsletter I write on this platform. It’s been fun, and a great outlet, but as with most content creation ventures aimed entertain others, it becomes less about fun and more about providing for others which becomes draining.

That being said, if you enjoy reading my stuff for some reason, I have created a new blog called “The Writing Prompt”. To combat burnout, this blog is simply about me writing. It’s not aimed at any particular audience and not guaranteed to cover any specific topics.

Basically, each article is a response to a randomly generated writing prompt. I’m a thinker and seems like also somewhat of a writer so this allows me to satisfy both without locking myself to a narrative of unique creation for others. I’m approaching this from the standpoint of an old English class. The teacher gives you a writing prompt and you share your thoughts!

If that interests you, feel free to follow along here. It’s on Medium which some of you may have heard of before. If not, it’s just a blog site. If you have a Medium account, I’d love it if you followed me and I’d love to follow you back! If you don’t have a Medium account and you’re interested in reading, there is an option to receive emails when I post an article. Kind of like this newsletter.

Here’s the page:

It’s Been Real. It’s Been Fun. It’s Been Real Fun.

If this is where we part, thanks for being a part of this journey in my life! It’s been a pleasure writing for you. We’re ending just as we started! Funny little thing life is. All of you guys are awesome and always will be! I hope you have the happiest year of your lives this year!

Signing off,

-Rubin