A day of trying an earlier start

I spent most of yesterday afternoon reviewing my routine. I made progress on morning exercise, food, languages, and sleep. The changes are simpler and clearer than before, and I could try them right away. I went to bed three hours earlier last night and woke at least 30 minutes earlier. I felt the benefit of the sleep and had time for spoken-English practice and exercise. On an ordinary day, when I drift out of bed after 7:40, I would already have given up on both. I also left enough time to get out of the house. I felt good overall.

Passing Walmart on the way home often brings back the year after graduation, when I began working in an industry I thought I loved. I was often uncertain, but I kept trying to face each day positively. My roommates, Zifang, and my first colleagues were around me then. We were all about the same age. When things were hard, we encouraged and supported one another, and we went places together. I do not want to forget that time. Living more on my own now, I remember it with a sweet feeling.

I am more seasoned today, but a year later I face different challenges. Am I happier than I was then? Perhaps I can carry more, but that does not necessarily mean life is better. What encourages me is that I am beginning to see a direction worth working toward, with a firmer resolve and better ways of doing things. That may be what I am proudest of from this year.