Reflecting on 2025: Lessons from a Year of Change

Christmas Day shenanigans with my kids and the grand pups. If only Legion was the small lap dog he thinks he is.

Good-bye 2025

I always find the last day of the year a moment of reflective questions.

Not a “resolution” person. I think they’re useless. Why are you only allowed to be concerned about your weight on New Year’s Day? In June, do you say to yourself that you’ll look into losing weight in January?

New Year’s Eve for me is just like any other day. In bed early, up early.

The only new thing the New Year does for me is setting up my paper calendar. I’m that girl, the one who still uses the paper daily planners. My life exists in a book. My expenses, my daily life, my dog vet reminders. What I need to do and what I accomplished that day. I prefer to write it down rather than note it into my phone. I can access it much faster by picking up my book. When I have to look into my phone – unlock, access the app, scroll to the info. With my book – look, flip, find, done. So, much faster.

I just read an article that explains people who write it down have rare abilities. It exercises the brain muscle. At my age, that becomes a priority.

2025 was a resting period.

It’s been a year since I lost Wolf. 2025 was a somber quiet year for me. I did take the solo trip in my minivan, and I had a great time. But that trip reminded me my love for road tripping wasn’t done. I want to do more. I am starting to feel good about solo life. Embracing a life I have wanted but wasn’t sure how much I needed. My overthinking provides me too many options.

Let’s FOUCS

I think my word for 2026 is going to be FOCUS. I need to focus, make a decision, and stick to it. Plan trips and adventures and just do them.

My solo life statement – I do what I want. When I want. How I want. The way that I want. If I decide I don’t want to do it, I explain it to no one. it’s all about ME. (And my girls, of course.)

RV life, yes, you are always fixing or maintaining something

So, the motorhome needs a few things fixed before I hit the road. I did get the windshield replaced over the Christmas holiday. It had a crack that started to creep. There were also several rock chips. While I was at home for the holidays, I did get a replacement done. Driving back to my winter spot, WOW! What a difference a clear, clean windshield makes!

Are you prepared for a power outage?

So, another item on the to fix list. Batteries for the coach. It moved up to priority status. The rain has been a lot here in the low desert. The overabundance of rain caused a transformer to “blow up”. I heard a big boom – no power.

I am prepared for no shore power. I have solar panels and battery-operated lights. The interior coach lights run off the batteries. However, ten minutes later, my low battery alarm goes off. Ugh, great. With all the rain we haven’t had any sunlight, so the solar panels couldn’t keep the batteries charged. (I thought). I started the engine to bump up the batteries. I ran it for about 15 minutes. I thought I’d be good. No. Another 10-15 minutes go by, and the alarm goes off again. The batteries no longer hold a charge. Now, I know I needed batteries. It is no longer on the list of what needs to be done. It’s now, I have to get them changed out.

Thankfully, the power was only out for 2.5 hours. Thank you, power company, for getting it fixed quickly. I was not looking forward to a sleepless night and having to start my engine every 20 minutes. I know my neighbors would not be happy about it.

It’s not uncommon for power outages in campgrounds, or the water to be turned off. You have to be prepared for the unexpected. It’s RV life.

I always keep about 1/3 of the fresh water full. During travel days, I can flush the toilet, fill the dog’s water, or have a cup of coffee. (Not to mention, in our first year of travel, the radiator overheated. We had very little coolant left in the jug. It helped having the water tank to access and help us off the hill in the middle of nowhere, USA.)

A gift from a friend in my winter RV park gave everyone a cute, solar light for Christmas.

Here’s to 2026

I’m ready for great adventures this year. Stay safe and happy travels on the road.