Hi there,

Undershirt, thermal layer, sweater, coat, gloves, scarf, hat, sunglasses, hiking boots … at 8 am, I was layered up and prepared to hike in 44-degree weather (6.6 degrees Celcius) for the next few hours.

This was the first time I’d really gone hiking since moving to Colorado a year ago. My Mum was visiting and we hadn’t seen each other in 5 years (f*ck you COVID + life in general). Visiting the Garden of the Gods + going hiking was the one thing she really wanted to do, so we were definitely doing it.

Oh, and did I mention that Garden of the Gods has a 6,735-foot elevation? (2,052 meters) If you’ve never walked, hiked, or tried to exist at a higher elevation for an extended amount of time, it is an adjustment (altitude sickness is real, though I’ve never had it). There’s a reason I hadn’t gone hiking yet, but I was excited about the challenge.

Over the course of 3 hours, the temperature got up to 64 degrees (nearly 18 degrees Celcius) while we hiked 5 miles (8 kilometers) in distance, increased & decreased elevation repeatedly, and captured some incredible photos:

VK 📚 ヴィクトリア・クライン (@victoriakleinco) • Instagram photos and videos

By the end of it, I was shedding layer after layer and managed to drink two water bottles and a hot tea. I was more hungry and tired than I had been in years … and I loved every second of it, even when I thought I wouldn’t make it.

So why did I tell this story? Why should you give a shit?

2 reasons:

With 2022 coming to a close, I hope you spend more time with those that matter the most to you (or have the plan to do so very soon). I forgot how much being around my Mum was so reassuring, even when sitting in silence. She told me things on this trip that I’d never heard her say before and I’ve never felt more connected to her.
You can do it. Whatever it is that you want to do. If you have a pull, a draw to something, you can do it, even if you’re not quite sure how to do it yet. The hike showed me that in a small way, but it applies to all the big changes as well.

The things you want to do, accomplish, or simply explore call to you for a reason.

I could give you all the reasons why I’m drawn to Japanese culture and even chose to go to college to study it … but in the end, my reasons could apply to most cultures the world over.

One small step toward what is calling you can have ripple effects across your whole life. I can’t promise they will all feel good and fluffy, but the more you’re honest with yourself about who you are, what you struggle with, and what you truly want, the more life will feel worth living.

This isn’t about living an Instagram-worthy life. It’s about living a life that you would happily live if no one else was watching.

With 2022 winding down, I hope you’re taking at least one small step toward something that begs for your curiosity.

💻 What I’ve been reading online …

+ ‘s reminder that most difficult situations have a silver lining
Tea or Coffee - which is best for your health? (I’m team tea, no matter what; coffee has too much caffeine for me + I prefer the taste of tea)
Workout recovery is important, and here are 9 things that don’t work (at least from a scientifically-proven perspective - if you feel like they work, that matters too)
Maintenance - the least-sexy part of owning anything, but arguably the most important
‘s guest post for is a curious look back at the brief history of witches
Looking back at old journals has helped immensely while writing my memoir, but remembering the difference between the two can get blurry, so this article was a refreshing perspective
+ captures the tenuous relationship I’ve had with the concept of intuition over the years (and why I trust it more than ever)
40 questions to journal about at the end of 2022 (and every year forward, if you’re looking for a new tradition)
An interesting connection between increasing anxiety and the increasing choices we make daily
Are you happy? Are you feeling fulfilled? I prefer ‘s perspective in on the radical art of being okay
Why waiting on results is the opposite of what works (I’m not the best with waiting, so this was a weight off my shoulders)
Gamification is everywhere, so are we getting burned out on it? + tackles the topic
Have you ever thought that our modern obsession with constant improvement + seeking “wellness” 24/7 is a waste of time? Me too.

📚 Books I enjoyed recently

A book to change your entire perspective on “wellness”: Who Is Wellness For? by Fariha Roisin
A translated fiction book about pianos that’s not really about pianos (cue the life lessons!): The Forest of Wool and Steel by Natsu Miyashita

👀 What I’m reading now

Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future by Yung Pueblo

To anyone in the USA reading this, Happy Thanksgiving (despite the questionable history of the holiday, I hope you enjoy some good food) 🦃

What do you think of the newsletter format update?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Gratefully,

VK

Photo by Ian Baldwin on Unsplash

What a breathless hike can bring