{"id":16234,"date":"2025-02-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=16234"},"modified":"2025-01-31T23:22:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T04:22:47","slug":"photo-blogging-challenge-january-2025-new-year-new-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=16234","title":{"rendered":"Photo Blogging Challenge (January 2025): New year, new me!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My goodness. Time really does move fast, doesn’t it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, let me say that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I think when people do them (most), they end up failing because of the pressure behind them. How many people do you know who are going to go the gym or whatever and then fizzle out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exactly. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Instead, I kind of work on goals and such and I start them whenever I feel it works. But, we flopped over into 2025 and we need to be realistic — the year likely will be like most in recent memory: polarizing, tense, stressful, and who knows what else. It’s up to you individually to make the year how you want it to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As noted in my last post, I have a lot to work on. And all the sound of the current state of the world is something I try and now block out. I have to for my own mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, it’s another new year. And will it be a new me? Who knows. The only thing any of us can do is work to make ourselves better human beings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will you have a new you? I look forward to seeing what you all do with this theme! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for January!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Not all is new me in the new year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some things won’t be so new. This year, Harper will turn four. This year I hope I continue to bond with her and that she remains a major part of my life. I would like to do more exploring and adventures with her. I’m considering a New York State park pass so I can try and visit more parks with her and just see some of the amazing parks I haven’t been to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, in this regard … it’s just expanding things I want to do and have Harper be a part of it. I’m sure this won’t be hard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Family<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family is important and it’s something I feel my family has worked hard on trying to do more. Whether it’s just reaching out, or something else, things are pretty good. We do a monthly breakfast, which is great. And going on adventures are also nice. In January, I took my mother to Legoland New York and it was a lot of fun. I hope that a visit here in warmer weather happens as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Stop and …<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This really isn’t smelling the roses, but you get the picture. Life is short and we’re a speck in time when it comes to the big picture. So why not make sure you enjoy it? There are wonderful scenes around us; you just have to make sure to sometimes stop and take it all in. This is one of the covered bridges in my area and this was the scene on the way to work one morning … I had to stop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4.<\/strong> Build more LEGO<\/strong> (and other hobbies)! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my quest to have less screen time at night and on weekends, hobbies such as building LEGO sets is something I want to concentrate on. This photo is one project I am working on and it will take a while as I have to get all the pieces, which is fun in its own right. But it’s a 6,000-piece baseball stadium, which will be a blast. Other hobbies include geocaching, woodworking, pen pal letters, and some DIY. I feel as I keep pushing with this, I’ll be able to find way more balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. More naps!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naps are amazing for your body and soul. They are even better with Harper. I need to do more of this for myself as it’s great for the mental side of things as well as physical!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s my five and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month\u2019s challenge, make sure to link up below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people\u2019s blogs and comment (here, too!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE:<\/strong> We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I\u2019ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, below is the linkup for January. Make sure you drop your link there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s February! And our theme for the month? Free for all!<\/strong> I think it’s been a hot minute since we had an open-ended theme, so here it is! Have some fun! Remember to come back on (hopefully) March 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Blogging Challenge: January 2025 results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n