I wrapped up work a little early this afternoon and, instead of heading straight to the sofa with a drink and a snack, I went downstairs to our apartment building’s gym for a workout.

I’ve realised that as long as my ass doesn’t hit a comfy chair, I can keep going to get some exercise. If I sit down after work, for any length of time, I’m snookered. The sofa is too comfortable and enticing and there’s so much to read on the internet. 🤣

But if I can just make it to my bedroom and throw on my workout gear, I’m guaranteed a gym visit.

Hashtag self-awareness.

A productive day, all in all.

With my eyes firmly on the prize (our departure for Tokyo next week) I got the head down and tore through my task list in work this morning. I actually got so much done that I managed to leave the office early and get to the gym.

I know, I was shocked too. It has been far too long since this body has seen the inside of a gym. But I realised as I pumped away on the elliptical machine, that going to the gym is just a habit. And if I build it up strongly enough, it’ll basically take care of itself.

(I also realised that watching a John Wick movie on my iPad mini while exercising definitely gets my heart rate up!)

I just need to remove and/or minimise any friction that could slow me down or lead me to flop on the sofa with an iPad in my hand. That means gym clothes left out in advance, my trainers by the door, and an iPad mini full of interesting content to keep me amused. Plus an appointment in my calendar, to make it nice and clear when I’m planning.

Seeing as the gym is in our building’s basement, I’ve no excuse not to go most evenings. And with our trip coming up, I’ve all the incentive I need to keep going, and continue while we’re in Japan. The hotels we’re staying in while in Osaka and Tokyo have excellent gyms. And physical exercise is a great way to beat jet lag.

So yes, I’ve added gym gear to my packing list.

I’m wishing I could sweat out this cold in the sauna in my old apartment building.

My routine was simple. I’d bring a book or a magazine, an alcohol-free beer (chilled to the max in preparation), and toddle down to the sauna for about an hour. Several sessions in the heat. Several very cold showers, then a relaxing sit on the bench in the men’s changing rooms. And I would sleep like a baby each evening I did that.

👉🏻 Read on…

I truly believe that sleep cures all.

Yes, I’m still feeling decidedly grim, my throat still hurts and I have the most annoying ticklish cough. But I don’t have a headache, I’m not aching all over, and I don’t have the urge to curl up in bed and hide under the duvet. I’ll take all of that as a win.

👉🏻 Read on…

So I made it through this morning’s must-do online meeting with a client. My voice held up - just.

Now I can relax with a hot drink until 3pm. Then, it’s a webinar I need to run for a different client. As soon as that’s done - should be about 30mins - I’ll be heading home for more hot drinks and a lie down.

And not speaking again for the foreseeable future.

I woke with one of them yesterday morning: a tiny scratch at the back of my throat. Not painful, just noticeable. It got worse throughout the day - bearing in mind I had several calls and a podcast interview to record - until after work, when my voice began to disintegrate completely.

👉🏻 Read on…

I woke to complete darkness this morning, a rough reminder that we’re now in October.

I didn’t grow up in tropical climes. Unless you consder Dublin a haven of sunshine and warm breezes. (It is not). But even now, in the midst of my forty-eighth year on this planet, I’m still not coping well with the departure of brighter mornings and evenings and and onslaught of wind, rain and darkness.

👉🏻 Read on…