We're starting another year full of twists and turns and many expectations. I miscalculated for myself and concluded that my Major Arcana was the Wheel of Fortune; I spent New Year's Eve anticipating the twists and turns. While teaching my mother to identify her Major Arcana, I realized that mine was The Hermit, and I confess I'm still confused. Let's see what this year has in store for me.

The big question is that, in a mix of enthusiasm and fear, I tried everything during these January holidays: doing nothing, doing everything, and, above all, trying new things. I'll say upfront that my finances are very messed up and I wasn't a good example for the younger ones, but I can't say I didn't live, that I didn't take risks.

Through my personal therapy, supervision, creative work, studies, and art therapy, I realized I need to put myself out there in the world, to live, to experience the process, and to take more risks. I have so many fears, including the fear of death (a topic for another day), that I end up being afraid to live. January was the month of living, and I felt compelled to share everything I experienced here with you all.

Archery

Well, while exploring the possibilities of Wellhub, I discovered an archery class and found it super interesting. Considering I had never touched a real bow and arrow, it seemed like quite an experience. I registered and went to the Ana Rosa metro station; I entered the PaKua Chinese Arts school. They offer classes in various things, and it was there that I realized it wasn't just something fun, but something serious, deserving of respect, and a sport. The space is small, but very useful. The teacher—I don't know her technical name—was super welcoming while still conveying the seriousness and precision of the movements. My classmates were very kind, and it was a great experience.

In that class, I confirmed what I already knew: I am VERY sedentary. I couldn't even run for 7 minutes without stopping, something that used to be very easy; the stretches were also simple, yet challenging. And, after several well-established processes and protocols, we finally got to the much-anticipated archery and, wow, there were several sizes and they were enormous! It requires a lot of strength in everything, there's the correct positioning of the whole body, including the little fingers, and how much strength we need in our little fingers! At first, I messed everything up, but little by little I managed to get it right, and even hit the spots I had planned. It was a very interesting experience. I don't know if I would do a class like that weekly, but I would certainly do something like that as a hobby once in a while.

29 years old

Well, my dears, I've moved into my final year of my early twenties and, my goodness, I'm starting my Saturn return ready for life's twists and turns. My day was delightful: I woke up late and my friends came over, we chatted and played cards along with a delicious barbecue. At the end of the day, I had a little cake with my family, very pleasant and peaceful. Celebrating that there were no fights or passive-aggressive remarks, we were simply family—and what a delight that was!

Paraty - Rio de Janeiro

I finally got to visit the much-talked-about Paraty. What a beautiful place! What a wonderful place! I confess that the transportation left something to be desired and, to make matters worse, I got VERY sick. I even thought I wouldn't be able to go on the schooner, but it worked out; I only got worse on Monday, after the trip. The place is beautiful, the schooner trip was perfect, the food was delicious, and I was with company you didn't have to force anything with, you know? That kind of friendship where you could sit in silence looking at the scenery without any awkwardness. Everything was wonderful, except for me being sick and the transportation. Now, I want to go back and visit Trindade.

Automotive Mechanics Course for Women at SESC

Can you believe that, in my idea of ​​random road trips, I stumbled upon a car repair course? I arrived knowing how to recognize a Fiat 500, Jimny, and Honda Fit, and left knowing how to change a tire. I went with a friend who's always up for my random road trips and is amazing company, and we came back blown away. I want more courses like this!

Decorated Connect Max

I found out through the neighborhood group that they launched a model apartment based on my floor plan in Lapa. I scheduled a visit with the real estate agent. How strange to walk in and not even know what to do! It's small, but it's bigger than I thought. The model apartment gave me several ideas and made me realize that it is possible to live in this tiny square that is a 36 m² apartment. In fact, we're almost 60% through the construction and soon I'll start paying R$ 2,000 in progress fees.

Body in motion

By the time I finish writing this post, I will have completed 7 swimming lessons and 6 consecutive weeks of exercising at least once a week. This is a huge achievement and deserves to be highlighted here. Using Wellhub has been worth every penny, and starting swimming has been helping me a lot because I've gotten used to my weekly time in the water; it feels like my body is waiting for this moment to decompress, you know?

The Hour of the Star - Clarice Lispector

We read the book I suggested for the Book Club. I suggested it precisely because it's a classic and I had never read it. WHAT A BOOK! It was worth the hours spent reading and it still moves me today. The book club was also great; we started talking about Clarice Lispector and, before we knew it, it was 8 pm and we had already covered all the personal and worldly issues. I commented to my therapist how good it was to be among women, being heard and listening. There are things that only women understand and, as amazing as my friends are, they don't understand the seriousness of not peeing sitting down or not putting the toilet seat down.

Soap operas and series

Since my mother started chemotherapy, we've been watching things together. In January, we started watching the 9 pm telenovela, Três Graças , and began our obsession with it. I missed a routine that involved just relaxing and being entertained, and I want more of that for my routine as I go back to school and my appointments: some time every day to "be." I also started watching the series Desperate Housewives , which has become a "comfort series." I haven't finished it yet, but when I have nothing to do or just want to relax, I turn to it. I'm still curious about where the series is going, now that it's in its second season. I saw a comment on Threads talking about color, and indeed, it's a series that has color—and how much I miss a life with color!

WOMAN

I joined WOMA focused on improving my finances, getting out of debt, and growing and maturing in the area of ​​finance. I can no longer ignore the mistakes I make; life is catching up with me. Choosing to delve into my finances with Astrid gives me hope for a better future for myself.

Looking back at this January review, I realize that, amidst the arrows, tires, and dives, what I truly did was catch my breath. If the Hermit asks me for introspection, I'm choosing to illuminate my own path with the courage of someone who decides not only to exist, but to inhabit their own life with presence. May February arrive with the same willingness to learn new things and the lightness of understanding that, even in the tiny squares of 36 m² or tight financial calculations, there's immense space for us to expand. Let's move forward, because the year has barely begun and I've already understood that living, with all its risks and bills, is the best exercise I could choose to practice.