Hello, hello!

I’m a bit overdue for a “Life Update,” with the last one from last year’s fall. Since the previous update, I’ve seen a few changes in my life, although nothing too drastic compared to the previous year. Much of 2024, I would say, was really about working on internal stuff (i.e. mental health) as I continued to work, travel, and be with my partner, friends, and family while settling into my early thirties.

This year saw me struggling with my mental health– there were many periods when I was feeling at my lowest, both sad and angry. Much of it, I believe, was due to my job: the work is stressful and emotionally-taxing, and while I’d been able to handle the stress for these last few years, the job finally got to me this year. As a result, I had several months of high anxiety and depression, to the point that I barely left the house and just wanted to retreat into my shell. I’m sure my friends, family, and partner can attest that I wasn’t the most-fun to be around during that time.

Thankfully, things have gotten better. While I still have my not-so-great moments, it’s not as bad as it was earlier this year. I resumed therapy after taking half a year off; having therapy once a week has been good for grounding and helping me to handle stress better. And sometimes, it’s just nice to have an outlet (in the form of a therapist) to vent your frustrations, with compassion and without judgment. Having been reluctant to go to therapy for years, I think it’s been good for me so far, and I intend to continue with it for as long as I need it.

Besides therapy, another thing that has helped has been taking up a new hobby. For me, that has been indoor climbing: I picked up the sport over the summer and really got into it. It’s both fun and challenging, and it has pushed me to try something new while getting into excellent shape. Climbing has also got me out of the house to work out and meet people who are as dedicated to the sport as I am. So far, it’s been awesome! 🙂

My relationships with my partner, friends, and family have been pretty good this year. I moved in with my partner last December, so it’s officially been a full year of living together! We’ve also done a lot of travel this year together, including a few trips out of state! Our communication has gotten a lot better this year– it’s incredible we’ll be marking three years together come next spring!

Finally, travel: I am especially surprised that I got to travel a lot more than I’d thought this year. While I did plan for several of the trips to happen, I ended up going on a few last-minute ones, which ended up being my favorites. I took two international trips: Malaysia and Singapore in January and Canada in October, as well as many domestic trips with my partner to Georgia, Massachusetts, and California. Honestly, I haven’t traveled this much since 2019, and I’m super excited to continue to travel just as much in 2025, if not more. I’m currently catching up on writing about these trips, so you’ll have a TON of travel posts to look forward to reading next year. Stay tuned!

There are still a few weeks left in the year, but overall, I’d say that 2024 has been fairly decent so far. Mental health-wise, I had my ups and downs, but I was able to get myself through it with therapy and climbing. It also helps to have a supportive system with my partner, friends, and family, which I hugely appreciate. Even with all of the travel I did this year, it was pretty calm at home, as I worked, spent quality time with my loved ones, and focused on my hobbies (e.g. climbing, writing, exploring the city). I also feel the healthiest I’ve felt in a long time, as I passed my one-year sobriety from alcohol in August. Giving up drinking has been great, and I intend to keep it up for as long as I can.

As always, thank you for your support over this past year, and I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season ahead. Take care! 🙂

20241006_115234Moraine Lake in Canada (October 2024)

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

63 thoughts on “Life Update #18: New Hobby, Lots of Travel, and Mental Health Update”

  2. The winding road of life has its ups and downs, but as one keeps pacing ahead, the horizon continually changes. Keep climbing, keep travelling, keep writing and….. continue delighting us by sharing your experiences.

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    1. Thanks, Elle! There were some ups and downs in 2024, but overall, it’s been good. I’m especially happy to have a supportive partner and people around me, as well as climbing for fun. Here’s to an even better 2025 ahead!

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  7. I am so glad you are feeling much better. Life is full of experiences that test us and feeling bad sucks. Nobody wants to be plagued by the darkness that holds you back from being happy and content. Yet the reality is that life gets hard sometimes. Sometimes it is a result of our doing, but I find most of the time it’s completely out of our control. My humble advice – don’t just be good to others, be good to yourself too. Thanks for sharing such a transparent post and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva x

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    1. Thank you, Aiva! Life has its ups and downs, but it’s important to have faith and continue on, knowing that the good days will come. I do my best to be kind to others, but it’s true that I still need to work on being kind to myself. I appreciate your sentiments, and I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

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  8. I’m sorry to hear you went through that rough period earlier in the year, but it’s great that the various steps you’ve taken have really helped you. It’s definitely the case that physical activity can lift your spirits so I’m not surprised the climbing has been good in that way 🙂 I’m pleased too that you got to travel so much and look forward to reading more about the places you’ve been this year and the ones you’ll go to next!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! There were parts of the year that weren’t great, but there were also parts that were wonderful. I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I traveled this year, and I hope to do more in 2025! I’m slowly getting through writing the posts from this year’s travels to be published soon, which will take this blog through much of next year. Climbing has been fun, and it’s a great way to let off steam and get into great shape! Wishing you a happy holidays ahead 🙂

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  9. Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing about your year – the good times and the hard times. I’ve enjoyed following along with your climbing journey on instagram, and I’m looking forward to reading your upcoming posts about the plethora of travel!

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    1. Thanks, Diana! Climbing has been so much fun, and I hope this will be a life-long hobby to enjoy. I’m gradually getting through writing about my travels– at this rate, those posts will take this blog through the majority of next year! Stay tuned 🙂

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  13. So glad to hear you are doing well. I can totally relate to the mental health struggles as the past year has been tough for me as well dealing with anxiety and depression, as well as panic attacks. It takes time but when things start to improve you gain a whole new perspective as to what’s important and how to take care of yourself 🙂 Hope you continue to feel better and all the best for the holiday season!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I hope you’re doing better now: depression and anxiety are no joke, let alone panic attacks. It can be rough, as they really affect your day-to-day mood and those around you…I agree with you that it all takes time to get better, and that some days will be better than others. Here’s to more good days as we go through this holiday season and for next year! 😊

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  14. Good to hear that 2024 has been treating you relatively well, despite the work-related stress. It feels really good to be able to travel often again, doesn’t it? Look forward to your travel stories in 2025!

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    1. Thank you! I’m still applying and looking into other jobs out there, so we’ll see if 2025 has another job offer in store. If not, I’ll still do my best to enjoy life with climbing, traveling, and good company. Have a happy holiday season!

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  17. I admire how sharing and open you are. I, too, find therapy and a hobby to be great ways to cope, and travel is great for building character and putting life into perspective. I also like to remember the advice on life provided by the late father of a dear friend of mine from my growing up years… “Read, travel, and stay active!” Congrats on all you achieved in 2024 and may it continue into 2025!

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    1. Thank you!! Therapy and hobbies are the way to go for having a happy life. I hope to continue doing the things I love for myself, and with people around me. Here’s to a wonderful 2025!

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  18. Thank you for sharing the positives and the challenges of the year for you. It’s a big thing to go to therapy and it’s great it’s helping you. I love your new hobby too, I always think it looks so tough in your videos on Instagram!

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    1. Thanks, Han! It’s been a year of ups and downs, but a lot of good moments, too. Travel and climbing have been helping me stay sane from work: I’m still new to climbing, so it can be tough, but I’m getting better with each session!

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  19. I read this post with much interest, sympathy and empathy Rebecca. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this online before but I also suffer from depression and anxiety, for around two years now. So I totally understand some of the emotions and behaviour you referenced. Talking to people about it (professionally or otherwise) and keeping to a solid schedule of physical activity are so damn important to get through these periods and keep on keepin’ on. Congrats on your sobriety and relationship milestones and your travel achievements, which are even more admirable considering the tough times you’ve mentioned.

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    1. Thanks for your honesty and vulnerability, Leighton. It’s not easy living life with depression and anxiety, as it takes away the joy of even your passions, like travel. I agree with you that having a routine helps, as well as physical activity and therapy. Here’s to a happier and brighter 2025, filled with more adventures and happiness!

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  20. Sounds like a year of ups and downs. Glad to hear you’re feeling in a better place mentally than you were earlier in the year, and that a new hobby has helped with that. Hopefully 2025 brings more positive memories and adventures 🥰

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    1. Thanks, Tanja! Climbing isn’t an easy sport, but it’s a lot of fun and very rewarding. I already have a few trips I intend to take next year, but we shall see if any more come to fruition! Happy holiday season to you and your family 🙂

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  24. It was lovely to read a life update from you! I am sorry that you struggled a lot with your mental health this year, though I’m glad you’re starting to see the end of it thanks to your wonderful support system! Congrats on 1 year of living together with your partner! It seems like yesterday when you got together! Even though it is not the end of the year yet, I already wish you a wonderful new year and a very festive and cheerful holiday season!

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    1. Thanks, Juliette! It’s been a year of ups and downs, but things are looking up now. Hard to believe just how fast time flies, especially being with my partner! Here’s to another year of adventure and growth!

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  25. I love your honesty in this post! This year has been challenging for me as well and I started going to therapy to see if it could help at all. Surprisingly it has and has made me change my outlook on some things I struggle with. I hope that 2025 will be a better year for you 🙂 

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    1. Thank you, Daphne! Therapy definitely helps shift and re-focus your perspective, and for the better. Things still aren’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to be and as long as they’re mostly good, that’s all that matters. Here’s to a happier 2025 ahead!

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  26. Thanks for sharing your year, Rebecca. It’s generous and open of you to share where you are at. I am sorry to hear that some times have been tough. Glad you were able to navigate things and have a few outlets. I think it’s a balance between processing how you feel and the things you are dealing with, and having outlets to explore and build on your strengths. Sometimes it can feel like you are going in circles with depression and anxiety. They are something that I encounter every now and then, and I feel it’s important to acknowledge and address, while also making sure I have something to look forward to doing.

    Also congratulations on one year sobriety, and it seems you are redefining your relationship with drinking. Wishing you all the best for next year and may you get to travel again soon 😊❤

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    1. Thank you, Mabel! Yes, this year had its ups and downs, but I got through it in the end. As much as there were many moments of anxiety and depression, there were also many moments of joy and excitement. Getting therapy and taking up indoor climbing have been really helpful for me; cutting out alcohol has also been the best decision I made for my physical and mental health. I do feel a lot better than I did earlier this year, and here’s to another year of growth and improvement! 😊

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  27. Glad to hear you have found ways to deal with your stress. So important! And congratulations again on your sobriety anniversary. Positive relationships with friends, partner and even family make a difference too.

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    1. Absolutely! It wasn’t easy navigating everything this year, but things are a lot better now. Helps to be sober and have a supportive network around me. Have a wonderful holiday season and great 2025 year ahead, Ruth!

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  28. I’ve had my battles with anxiety over the years so I emphatise with you and glad to hear things are better. Work is always a stressor and I find it’s mostly about co-workers than anything else for me. Hopefully you get to do a good amount of travelling next year! look after yourself!

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  29. Pingback: Life Update #19: Many Travels, Sprained Ankle, and Exciting News!!! – Rebecca Goes Rendezvous