Cycling in Riccione, Italy, was a trip filled with beauty, good rides, great food, and a few unexpected challenges. Even with all the excitement, the week did not unfold perfectly. I struggled with sleep from the moment I boarded the plane. I can't seem to sleep on a plane and the overnight flight was no different. During the trip, I also found myself wide awake at 3:00 or 4:00 AM a few nights, unable to fall back asleep.
As 2025 comes to a close, I do what I usually do: I pause to reflect and take stock of the past year. Across the new things I tried, what I accomplished, and the highs and lows, themes of travel, cycling, work, and resilience stand out. Through it all, I’m grateful for the experiences that shaped 2025.
Pausing takes practice. It’s not something that comes naturally or easily for me, especially when I allow my emotions to take over.
As of March 22nd, Mercury is in retrograde…again. If you’re familiar with this phenomenon, you may be thinking, “ah, no wonder.” If you’re not familiar with Mercury in retrograde, you may be asking, “what does that even mean and why should I care?”