Last year was the first time I did a "year in review". It's where I take the time to reflect on the past 12 months, to see what went well this year, what didn't go so well and to share my most valuable resources discovered this year.

This year I'm adding one new prompt to the list: what's one habit I want to have established this year?

What went well this year?

As described in my twenty-three year in review, last year easily fits in my favorite years ever. It was, however, also the phase in which I lost my sanity, and mental health. The last two months of the year were faced with a lot of difficult moments, all happening at once. Taking a (heavy) toll on my mental health. That's why this year was focused on gaining what was lost, my mental health.

Getting comfortable being uncomfortable

Like I learned during a session from the Stoic Journey, from Sam Harris app. Get uncomfortable, so that you appreciate the mundane.

Taking control of my mental health

As I've learned, success often comes from the absence of the negative, rather than the pursuit of something positive. If I want to take control of my stress levels, for example, I don't want to focus on meditating more. But rather, taking a look at all that causes my stress (i.e. too many work hours), and focus on reducing those.

So with this system in mind, I quit. Quit drinking alcohol for a year. Made "no" a more default answer to invitations, may it be to parties, requests or projects. I stopped staying up till 4 am. Quit social media for some time(s). And quit setting unhealthy expectations for myself.

And it worked. Heavily reducing the amount of "toxic" influences in my life, created space for my mind to be free. It created space to say yes again. Yes to having deep conversations about how I really feel. With myself, those close to me. Or experts that had the knowledge I lacked. All in pursuit of mental clarity.

Success often comes from the absence of the negative, rather than the pursuit of something positive

My first (solo) bike-packing adventure

As a Dutchie, I love to cycle. People look at me when they hear that there are more bikes than people in the Netherlands (I now own five bikes). I, however, never had done a cycling holiday. Or anything that came remotely close to it. But as I really like spontaneous decisions, that sometimes make no sense. And I was planning to attend the second project of IYNF, which was all about sustainable tourism. Something great happened. An old friend and I decided to go to the project by bike. A journey of about 500km, with lots of elevation during the last part. Lasting almost an entire week. Something we had never, ever, done before. Unfortunately my old friend last minute couldn't make it. Meaning it would be just me, and my trusty old blue bike.

When the first day came, I realized just how extremely underprepared I was. I had no idea where I was gonna go and where I'd sleep. Had never cycled more than 35km on a given day. And just before leaving home, my roommate asked me: "Juul, what are you gonna do in case of rain"? A question to which I had no answer. The first two days I was completely soaked as the amount of rainfall was so incredibly much. Even parts of the road were unavailable as the Rhyne couldn't handle the amount of water falling from the sky...

But boy. I learned so freaking much these days. Learned to better prepare and plan. Or that it can be just as much, or even more, fun if you have no clue what you're doing. But doing it anyway. My, now, girlfriend told me just before I left: "You'll manage, it might just get very uncomfortable". Which is something to live by.

"You'll manage, it might just get very uncomfortable" - a very wise woman

I moved places!

Moving to Groningen
A friend of mine had some space in his house which he always subrents to international students. He jokingly asked me if I would want to move in with him. Emphasis on the word jokingly, since there would be absolutely not a single this would make sense. Apart from the fact that we both like to run, so that we could run together.

I say friend, but only had seen the guy 4 times (still considered him to be one). He lives on the other side of the country from where I grew up. Somewhere I didn't know a single person, and far, far away from the place I work. But he likes running, and seemed like a nice guy. So of course I said yes. And couldn't be happier I did.

Exploring the world

Last year I spent more nights in beds I didn't call mine, than in beds I do. Which also was one of the reasons for my declining (mental) health. Even though I absolutely love traveling. Coming home from your 14-hour Flixbus ride, only to leave your clothes, go to bed and leave again not much later isn't a healthy lifestyle to sustain. So this year I took some breaks in between travels. So I could enjoy the moments I did even more. I've been to:

• Austria: 3x
• Belgium: 2x
• Czech Republic: 1x
• France: 1x
• Germany: 1x - 3x (depending on what you count)
• UK: 1x
• the Netherlands: countless

Influences that shape(d) my thinking

Readings

The Bullet Journal Method - This book doesn't only share you the "how" but also the "why" of creating a system that just works.

The Sacred Cow - by Diana Rodgers and Robb Wolf

Music

The Leren Leven album by Fresku - he was the last year, and will be there the next as well. Amazing Dutch artist whose lyrics just hit right.

The Best Day of My Life album by Tom Odell.

Songs to Listen to When Laying in Bed, the playlist.

The Coffee Table Jazz playlist on Deezer - it's my go-to when doing my work. And what's been playing during the writing of this article.

Golden discoveries

My Nokia E72 - in an attempt to be less drawn to the ongoing distractions of my iPhone, I replaced it with an old Nokia for personal use.

Bullet Journal - my offline second brain

Spike Mat - acupressure at home for deep relaxation

Thank you for reading! Want to know what I learned last year? You can read my last year's review here. Do you have something you think I'd find interesting? Lemmeknow! By sending an e-mail to hi@juulmous.com or DM me on Instagram via @juulmous