An unusual week, this one. I started it in a hospital and I’m finishing it on the sofa. Feeling fine now and looking forward to the week ahead.

Wellbeing

After Monday’s hospital tests, which all went to plan, I’m now waiting on my next appointment with the consultant to get some answers and a plan of action.

I’m not sure how much was physical and how much was psychological, but it took me a few days to feel like my normal self. I probably should have anticipated the next day would be tough, but Fatigue kept me from getting as much exercise as I’d have liked, and I ‘treated’ myself to a few cheat meals. As a result, I’ve regained some of the weight I lost last month. No matter. I’ll get back on the saddle this week and get back on track.

Social diversions

Again, for a week that started in the hospital, it turned into quite a social few days! We had a friend visiting from Singapore this week, so I ended up spending a few evenings with him, eating pizza and catching up. I also hasd a house-warming party and drinks at a friend’s place.

Yesterday, we went to The Other Art Fair in Shoreditch and fell in love with several pieces. No impulse purchases were made, though we did keep several business cards from artists we chatted with. Really lovely people, with fantastic talents on display. It was such a pleasant experience, we both left with smiles on our faces.

Add to this a dinner with my husband to celebrate our 11th anniversary (since our civil partnership - we’re over 20yrs together) and I was really looking forward to a very quiet Sunday. Mission accomplished! I’ve been doing some planning, some readying and I even re-watched Dune on Netflix. But mostly, relaxing,

Travel planning

2024 is going to be a year of travel, that’s for sure. With last month’s visit to Japan already under my belt, this week saw me book a weekend in Vienna with my husband, a weekend in Malaga with my best friend and start planning a week in Bangkok - again, with the hubby.

I loved my first, very short visit to Bangkok and I’ve been keen to get back for years now. Vienna and Malaga have been on my list for a few years now. And we’ve also got a week for Sitges Pride in June and a return to Japan in November. My travel journal will be full by Christmas! And it all starts with a trip to Edinburgh this coming week - a mix of business and catching up with family.

Work

Work was most definitely a mixed bag. While I had some disappointments on the new business front (you can’t win ‘em all!), I also got some cracking feedback from a client and managed to have an incredibly productive couple of days in the office to finish off the week. I also got to finally announce a new podcast project that I’m really excited about.

And that was the week that was.

After a couple of weeks off due to my visit to Japan, I’m back into the weekly habit of posting an update of the week that was.

Travel and adventure

The main update here is my return from Japan. It always feels like a wrench to leave Tokyo, but this was somewhat lessened due to my excellent journey home. Though it was far from efficient.

I flew with Malaysia airlines from Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur and then from Kuala Lumpur to London. With a six hour layover in the middle. Both flights were an absolute delight and I can wholeheartedly recommend Malaysia airlines for any long-haul travel. Just like they mention in their impressive onboard safety video, they bring Malaysian hospitality to life.

I have a few of short-haul trips in the schedule in the coming months: Edinburgh, Dublin, Sitges and Mallorca. I’m also looking at visiting Malaga for the first time. And then, hopefully, we’ll be back in Japan come November - for my first ever visit to Hokkaido. Exciting!

Health and Wellbeing

Not that it’s my main focus in life, I now weigh less than I did before my visit to Japan! This is despite all the food and drink and lack of gym visits. I can only put it down to all the walking I did and the healthy nature of a lot of Japanese cuisine.

Today is all about preparing for tomorrow’s hospital visit. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it, but my focus is 100% on getting some results (which should be immediately after, once I’m fully conscious again) and have a plan of action.

Fun and Games

I went to see Dune 2 yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s arguably better than its predecessor and I barely noticed its impressive 2hrs 47mins runtime. The special effects were incredible, the score absorbing and the story compelling. If you enjoyed the first one, this will definitely impress.

I’ve been re-watching Battlestar Galactica from the start - again! It was initially reserved for sessions on the elliptical trainer in our gym, but I actually ended up watching six episodes on my flights back from Tokyo. I’m now on season two and, while there are a few rocky episodes and evidence of cheaper set design, it’s still an impressive piece of TV drama.

I also finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and really enjoyed it. As I noted when I posted about it, it reminded me of one of my favourite books of all time, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay which is the biggest compliment I can give it.

Finally, given recent news of how Wordpress is abusing the content creating by its users, I’ve started over with a personal long form blog and will be shutting down my Wordpress sites in the coming week. I’ll also be posting my longer posts over there, but linking back to them here on MacPsy.ch. I find Ghost to be a much better solution for those kinds of posts, where Micro.blog is perfect for sharing quick thoughts and cross-posting to other platforms.

And that was the week that was…

Another summary of the week that was…

Wellbeing

I’ve had ups and down on the health front. On the one hand, I’ve stuck to my healthy diet and got to the gym after work. I’ve now lost 3kg since the beginning of the year. On the other hand, my gastro symptoms and associated pain have slowed me down several times. I’m just focused on my hospital appointment on March 4th and getting some clarity and a plan of action after that.

Doctor Google has not been my friend, and I’ve had to force myself to stop looking at articles about my disease and routes through surgery. None of it has brought clarity and instead has left me feeling worried. Which is never helpful.

Work

Despite my wellbeing issues, I’ve managed to have a stellar week at work. I received two pieces of feedback about my work podcast which set my heart soaring. Feedback isn’t a constant, so when I hear from listeners, it makes all the difference. And it wasn’t just the usual ‘thumbs up’ or ‘well done’, they provided some context and helped me understand what they’ve taken from the various episodes.

Client projects continue apace and I’m working on an exciting set of new coaching programmes for clients to purchase. After the rather unwelcome rise in corporation tax (thanks for nothing, Tories) I need to work extra hard and more efficiently to bring home to the same money from my business. So I’m also reducing my fixed costs and looking for subscriptions I can end.

Travel

You’re probably sick of hearing about it, but yes - my upcoming trip to Japan is less than a week away and I’m still just as excited. I’ve been doing more research, making a prioritised todo list of venues and experiences, and watching videos about the JAL First Class cabin (and, more importantly, the on-board food service!).

You can read my extended Japan-related gushing over on This Guy Flies.

Dry January

My Dry January streak came to an end on Wednesday this week, when I went out for an after-work drink with a friend visiting from Newcastle. And while it was lovely to head to the pub and have a natter, I regret the pint. Not at a deep, existential level, but because it was possibly the worst pint of Guinness ever pulled in the history of pints. It almost brought a tear to my eye. I wish Dry January had ended on a more positive note!

I also went out to the pub with friends on Friday night and noticed my tolerance of alcohol seems to have evaporated in the last five weeks. I felt a bit grim the following morning, so I got right back up on the saddle of… let’s call it ‘Dry February’. My epiphany was this: booze is expensive, is basically a poison, makes me sound like I’ve had a blow to the head, and makes the following morning a real effort. I don’t need that in my life.

So, no more casual trips to the pubs with the sole goal of drinking. I might have the odd drink at home when entertaining, or for a special occasion. But I think I’m leaving my beer monster days behind me.

And that was the week that was…

Another summary of the week that was.

Work

It was a really productive week on the work front. I kicked off two new client projects, both super-interesting and with nice clients. This really makes all the difference!

I recorded another couple of podcast episodes, so I don’t run out of content while I’m in Japan later this month. I also recorded a few more videos for the YouTube channel, which I’m going to slowly edit over the coming couple of weeks.

Wellbeing

I finally had my consultation with the gastroenterologist and it went as well as can be expected. He was very nice and very thorough and definitely wants me in hospital for some tests. I was worried it would coincide with the Japan trip, but he’s actually not available until the first week in March. And so I can try to put it all out of my mind until then. Which is hard, considering the ongoing discomfort.

In more positive news, my weight continues to drop, slowly but steadily. I’m still avoiding alcohol and exercising deadly. My diet is healthy, but not overly restrictive. No fast food, no snacks, fruit instead of desert, and virtually all homemade meals. Simple, but effective.

Travel plans

Just last night, my Japan trip plans changed quite a bit. My other half found that a couple more seats had opened up on a flight two days earlier. With a minimal fee, I still have a First Class seat with wonderful JAL, but I arrive on a Saturday afternoon, rather than the following Monday. An additional weekend in Japan - what could be better?!

He also managed to find me a room for these extra two nights in the same hotel I’m booked into, in Shinjuku. Yes, it’s the Godzilla hotel!!

I’ve also arranged to go on an overnight trip to an onsen hotel down in Hakone with one of my Tokyo-based friends. I haven’t been in Hakone since my very first trip to Tokyo back in 2013. And our hotel has both public baths and an individual private bath, which again, will be a new experience. Can’t wait to get soaking ♨️

This morning, while on the elliptical trainer in our gym, I agreed with the same friend (via WhatsApp) to go on a two-day trip to Sendai with him while I’m in Japan. This will be my first visit there, so I’m looking forward to seeing something new.

So yeah, I’m quite excited about this trip, for so many reasons.

And that was another week that was…

Another summary of the week that was

Wellbeing

I’ve continued a real focus on my wellbeing, with several visits to the gym, my first 5km run of the year (and my second!), some long walks and - shocking to me - managing to stick to my healthier diet. Dry January continues to be a breeze, and the easiest way to decrease my weekly calories. So I’ve decided to continue it into February. How I’ll handle the free champagne on my flight to Tokyo is a problem for future me to deal with!

But in all seriousness, I’ve not slept this well or felt this positive for ages. So exercise and AF beers seem to be the combo that’s making all the difference.

I bought a new weighing scales, as my old one completely gave up the ghost. I got this one from Withings, to use up the last of my Christmas Amazon vouchers. So far I’m super impressed. It measures body composition as well as weight, to give you an idea of the fat to muscle ratio. The accompanying app is really excellent and syncs perfectly with Apple Health on my iPhone. A daily check-in on the scales keeps me honest! But also realistic.

The fact that a friend noticed I’ve lost weight in my face was the boost I needed to keep going.

Work

I had a stellar week at work, winning a new client and getting an approach from an old one to do some really interesting work. I also managed to record two episodes of the podcast, publish two YouTube videos (to be fair, one was just the recording of a webinar I did earlier in the week) and made a big decision about a self-directed business project I’m going to work on this quarter.

More to come on that front…

Travel

A friend in Tokyo has arranged an overnight trip to Hakone for when I’m in Japan. So I’ll spend my birthday soaking in a hot springs resort and eating delicious food! I’ve also been refining my list of places to visit, so that it’s more manageable and realistic. And yes, I’ve been organising it all in Noteplan which is all kinds of wonderful. I don’t have shares, I promise - but if you use iOS and want fast access to your notes on the go, this is an excellent option.

And yes, I know I’ve promised a blog post on Noteplan. I’ll get to it. Soon.

And even though it’s at the other end of the year, my partner and I are planing our November trip to Japan. In stark contrast with last year’s trip to sunny Okinawa, we’re planning to head to Hokkaido, to explore Sapporo. Lots of snow and ice, but my first visit that north in Japan, so lots of new experiences lie ahead. Exciting!

Geeking out

I finally finished Apple TV’s ‘Invasion’ this week, on my iPad, while exercising on the elliptical trainer in the gym. It was overall a B+ for me, as I think it could have all be done and dusted in six punchy episodes. I really can’t see it coming back for a second season, but of course, I’m always wrong with these things…

Now it’s finished, I’ve moved on to re-watching the re-make of Battlestar Galactica while exercising. I’d honestly forgotten how tense and well-scripted it is. I’m pretty sure the angst of the first episode translated into a higher heart rate on my part and quite a bit more exercise! And with seasons to go, it’ll keep me from getting bored as I pump away.

And that was the week that was!

Another summary of the week that was…

The Japanese continues

The week started on a positive note, with a return to my Japanese lessons. I’m in a new class - as it’s scheduled during the afternoon - and it’s taking some getting used to.

But I have the same wonderful teacher, who brought us all back some delicious Japanese KitKat bars from her visit home over Christmas.

Work

Work was a mixed bag, with some great coaching sessions and some progress made on a big podcasting project, mixed with a last-minute client workshop cancellation (they paid!). I also won a new client project and had a new coaching programme kick-off with a new coachee.

I also published my latest work-related vlog and provided a little tour of my new office!

Wellbeing

I still don’t have a referral appointment with the gastro specialist, and I’m going to have to chase that up tomorrow. My health wasn’t too bad and it didn’t stop me going to the gym or getting out for runs this weekend. But it did leave me miserable on Friday night, when I should have been enjoying my best friend’s 40th birthday party. Came home earlier than planned and curled up in pain in my bed.

On a more positive note, my blood pressure is coming down, my post-exercise recovery is improving, as is the speed of my 4km runs. I also lost a little more weight!

My big win on the wellbeing front for this week was sticking to Dry January in the middle of that party on Friday night. I brought a bunch of alcohol-free beers with me, but they were new and pretty awful to be honest. I toyed with the idea of have some prosecco when it was offered (“What’s the harm?") but instead went with the ‘Nosecco’ my friend had bought. My body is very happy with that decision.

Travel and adventure

Less than a month to my solo trip to Tokyo and I’m still doing lots of research on venues to visit. And looking forward to putting my Japanese to good use…

I’ve also booked a trip to Scotland to see family in March. So I basically have a trip to look forward to each quarter of the year, except during July to September. But I’ve no doubt I’ll be organising a jaunt to somewhere hot in Europe to get some beach time and a break from London.

I also bit the bullet and set up a travel-focused blog for all my future travels and memories of trips from the past. You can find it (though there’s very little there just yet) and This Guy Flies. Thanks to Maique for the steer on Ghost. It’s such a breath of fresh air after Wordpress!

Another week in the bag. I’m sitting this listening to Mel Torme while Storm Isha batters the hell out of our neighbourhood. Here’s hoping we wake to a damage-free home tomorrow morning!

Yes, this is a day late, but it’s been quite the week so I hope you’ll understand.

Work

• I had a really, really good week at work. I tore through my task list and made great progress on some important podcast and YouTube work. Plus some lovely client projects and interest from potential new clients.
• I’m super excited about an upcoming collaboration with another psychologist. We’re going to co-host a podcast series all about psychological flexibility and how to develop it. Lots of work still to do, but I’m confident we’re going to have a great product at the end of it all. We did our first video podcast together a while back and we both agreed we worked well together.
• I published my second Vlog on my work YouTube channel. It’s very much an experiment, but I can already see ways to improve the next one and keep improving as the weeks go by.

Wellbeing

• As per my previous post, I had some bad news on the wellbeing front. This is almost certainly going to lead to some hospital time, so intrusive tests, and then long term medication. If I’m lucky.
• Despite this, I stuck to my new healthy habits. I’ve maintained Dry January (it’s just too easy!), avoided junk food and snacks, and made it to the gym and went out for a run on Sunday. I could so easily have rationalised a few beers and burgers to ‘cheer me up’ after speaking with the doctor. But I didn’t. Frankly, that’s the kind of crap that my body really doesn’t need right now.
• I’ve veered between doom and gloom and a sense of optimism that I’m finally getting some medical attention. It’s fine to have doubts, it’s fine to feel some anxiety about it all. But it’s what I actually do that matters.

Travel

• To take my mind off my wellbeing worries, I spent some more time planning my upcoming trip to Tokyo. In just over a month, I’ll be flying there with JAL and, for the first time ever, I’ll be experiencing their First Class cabin. I have no doubt it’s going to be amazing. But once I’m there, I want to extract as much fun out of the visit as possible. So my list of venues and experiences is getting longer by the day.
• I just hope I’m able to make some progress on the wellbeing front so that illness doesn’t hamper my enjoyment of this amazing holiday. Or that it conflicts with a hospital stay…

In other news

• I’ve continued to experiment with NotePlan and I think it’s going to stick. You can think of it as a kind of digital bullet journal. Each day as a note, but there are weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual notes too. You can have notes, tasks, reminders, events… pretty much anything you want to help you feel organised and avoid relying on your memory.
• You can easily make links between notes (like in Obsidian and other PKM apps), but unlike Obsidian, the iOS apps actually work and synching is flawless. This is so important for me - I want to be able to access my project notes and plans from my iPhone and iPad when I’m on the move.
• I’ve been using it to make a weekly note that contains my must-do tasks and activities. I fill this every Sunday for the week ahead. Then the following Sunday, I review the week with my reflections on how things have been.
• I’m toying with the idea of starting a new travel blog. I love writing and I have some great trips lined up for this year. I’d like a fresh start and, based on some posts I’ve read about Substack in the last week, I’m looking at Ghost as one option. If you’re a Ghost user, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
• I’m writing this from my study at home, as I’m working here this morning. I’m starting module two of my Japanese language course this afternoon, and it didn’t make sense to go to the office then all the way back into the West End for my lesson.

And that….was the week that was.

Welcome to the first in a (hopefully) ongoing series of posts reviewing the week that was.

Two big themes spring to mind as I write this:

Wellbeing

One week into the new year and I’m attempting to undo some of the damage of a very lazy and overindulgent last few months of 2023. I’m really happy with the amount of exercise I was able to do this week, whether it was running, walking or using our much-neglected gym downstairs.

I made it to the gym three times, went for a cople of 4km runs, and this afternoon walked a loop of the Isle of Dogs - which is about 6km. Combined with a complete absence of alcohol, snacks or junk food, I’m hoping this is setting me up for some wins in the coming weeks.

I may be in the minority, but I’ve always found ‘Dry January’ to be incredibly easy. So why do it? A significant drop in empty / unneeded calories. Yep, beer is full of calories this little body doesn’t need. But it’s not a magic wand. So I also need to get this body moving more.

One week in, I’m already sleeping better and my skin is looking much clearer. No weight loss so speak of (a tiny drop on the scales) but I’m setting up some helpful habits that’ll

Work

The highlight of this first working week was my office move. I’m now in a nicer building, in a nicer neighbourhood, with a better commute. It’s win/win. And while the day itself was stressful - about as stressful as any other move I’ve experienced - there were no disasters.

I’ve spent most of the working week setting up shop, making plans for this calendar year, and catching up on some simple admin I’d simple set aside in the run up to Christmas. The week ahead sees my first client-facing work for the year, and I’m really looking forward to it.

In other news

• I started playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder and it’s simply amazing. My first game was a co-op with a friend who has already completed it, so it was great to benefit from his experience. I anticipate many pleasant hour spent on this in the months to come.
• I did some more planning for next month’s trip to Tokyo and I’m excited with the list of experiences and destinations I’ve come up with.
• I finally got round to watching ‘Saltburn’ and starting the last season of ‘The Crown’. The latter is being consumed while I’m on the elliptical trainer in the gym. The former was a lot better than I’d imagined. A cross between ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ and ‘Brideshead Revisited’.
• My partner and I also watched ‘Fool me once’ on Netflix and I freely admit we hate-watched the final three episodes. Such drivel. Overly complex, plot holes you could fly a plane through, and acting so wooden you could replant a forest with it. Ugh. I only finished it because I wanted to see how they cold wrap up some a convoluted plot. The ending was worse than I could have imagined.
• I’ve been really getting into Noteplan as an app for my project notes and time-based planning. Everyday tasks still live in Things, but Noteplan gives me an accessible and instantly synching place to keep the information that supports my projects - personal and professional. I think I need to wrote a post on it in the coming weeks.

So that was week one. If the other fifty-one of 2024 are equally positive, fun and productive, I’ll have one hell of a year.