Ways I'm stretching myself this year

I have some ways I'm purposefully stretching myself in 2025. They weren't all on my 2025 goal list, that's because they were a little more nebulous but I feel they were just as important if not more so. Today, I am going to share some of these things with you.

Being introverted, I wait to be included/asked into a group or for someone else to initiate anything. However, I was convinced that this needed to change. Yes, it's not comfortable for me to ask and pursue relationships with others, but I am capable. So, the most important way I'm stretching myself is to create meaningful connections with those in much church as well as neighbors. So far, this has meant inviting more people over to our house or to lunch after church. I've also hosted a book exchange and a Valentine's Party for the single ladies.

While I love walking and hiking, I've never liked to exercise. However, I've noticed my metabolism isn't what it used to be. So, this year, I'm exercising every day except Sunday. Now, I keep my exercise pretty simple, and I still primarily use walking (I'm just taking and keeping faithful to doing it daily). This has helped me lose a couple of pounds and is helping me to see some eating habits that needed to change.

While this wasn't originally a way I planned on stretching myself, I added this one: I noticed that I was struggling to sit down and read. This was because I was shortening my attention span by too much screen time. It's easy when so much of my work is on screen to slip into bad habits. I'm taking reading breaks and setting timers to help retrain my brain for longer attention spans. It's helping not only my attention span but also helping me to truly relax more. 

What are some ways you're stretching yourself this year?