2025: A Year of Change, Growth, and Building New Routines

2025 was an exciting year full of change. It was my second year back at work after spending a year and a half traveling out of the country. I met many new clients and began finding my rhythm again as I continued to rebuild my business. Working with clients who had specific needs pushed me to adapt and learn new ways to better support them.

At the same time, change was happening outside of work. Moving to a new city gave us the chance to get to know a new area. We landed in a location that made it easy to work, surf and spend time in nature which had a noticeable impact on daily life.

With the move came more space and new routines at home. My partner and I finally had enough room to meal prep—things like breakfast burritos every couple of weeks and experiment with new recipes. Some favorites included high-protein “marry me” chicken, blackened chicken watermelon salad, and Middle Eastern chicken and beef kebabs. Having a backyard inspired us to buy a drum smoker and cook outside more, especially during the summer so we didn’t have to use the oven. The first attempt was a failure, but it’s been a gradual learning curve. Now I can confidently smoke great meats, including garlic herb smoked whole chicken and beef chuck burnt ends.

Spending more time at home also made me want to be more hands-on. I’ve always liked the idea of growing my own produce—it tastes better, and I like knowing there are no pesticides. We started a raised-bed garden with tomatoes, poblano peppers, jalapeños, and a few herbs. While we replaced most of the soil, the garden didn’t thrive as much as we’d hoped. Only one tomato plant produced a good amount of fruit. On top of that, we had issues with animals eating produce and digging holes. Hopefully, with better soil, next year will be more successful.

That same DIY mindset carried over into fitness. I’ve always wanted a home gym, and while we don’t have a garage, we do have plenty of outdoor space. Instead, I built an outdoor gym. I had a vision of barbecuing while working out on summer evenings. I built a squat rack, bought mats, added weights, hung a TRX from a tree, and added accessories until the space was complete. The process took longer than expected due to a few mistakes. While I’m proud of the result, in hindsight I probably should have just bought one.

Once everything was set up, training outside became part of the routine. Summer workouts were great, though winter has been more challenging with shorter days, cold, and rain. Still, we ended up training outside more than at a commercial gym. I was happy to regain most of the muscle I lost during the year and a half I was abroad without access to a gym.

Outside of structured workouts, I also began prioritizing movement in simpler ways. I’ve never been a big hiker, but finding ways to burn calories and get steps in—without relying solely on surfing or the gym—has become important. I also value getting outside for mental health and fresh air. Fortunately, there are accessible trails nearby, and we walk three to five times per week. These walks help with activity levels and provide a meaningful way to disconnect from technology.

That same mindset of patience and long-term progress carried over into surfing. I’ve been surfing for 26 years, and like many surfers, I’ve always dreamed of riding a board I shaped myself. This year, I finally had that opportunity with the help of a knowledgeable friend who was willing to teach me. Making my first surfboard took three months. While I worked slowly to avoid mistakes, the board turned out well (and works!). Surfing a board I made myself has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to keep improving and shaping more in the future.

Looking back, 2025 was a year of unexpected experiences, steady growth, and new routines that stuck. From work to fitness to creative projects, these changes added depth to daily life. I’m grateful for the hobbies and habits that emerged and look forward to carrying them into the year ahead.