Welcoming New Year's Day 2026 (Reiwa 8)

This is takewoody.
Happy New Year.
It is now New Year's Day, 2026 (Reiwa 8).
Thank you very much for all your support last year.
I look forward to your continued support this year as well.
Today, January 1st, ”Thoughts on New Year's Day” is what I will write about.
(approx. 1,400 characters)
「 #FirstNoteWriting 」

■ Welcoming New Year's Day 2026 (Reiwa 8)

◆ How I've spent New Year's Eve in recent years

I haven't stayed up for New Year's Eve for about six years now, since 2020.
When 2019 turned into 2020 six years ago, I was traveling in Thailand and
spent the turn of the year on a train from the airport to my hotel.
I saw fireworks dancing in the distance from the train window,
and thought, 'Oh, the year has turned.' It was a quiet, anticlimactic New Year's Eve.

While I always think, 'I want to spend the New Year on a trip!',
I refrained in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
From 2023 to 2025, after the pandemic, the weak yen and rising prices meant
the cost of traveling during the year-end and New Year holidays skyrocketed,
so my budget didn't allow for such expensive trips.

Therefore, I am at home again this year, and without staying up for the turn of the year to 2026,
I went to bed at 10:00 PM last night on New Year's Eve.
It's kind to my body to have a routine of early to bed and early to rise.
I'm continuing that on New Year's Day. I woke up at 6:00 AM and realized the year had turned.
I usually schedule my note articles to be posted at 6:00 AM,
but on New Year's Day, I am writing this right now while facing my PC screen.

◆ Thoughts on New Year's Day 2026 (Reiwa 8)

Even though I struggled with my health and daily stress over the past year,
I was able to go on trips I love and continue writing on note, which is my reason for living.
Following 2024, last year,my kanji for 2025 was 'Travel' (Tabi).

Looking back, I had 4 overseas trips, 14 domestic trips, 6 mountain hikes,
and 1 walking event.
All in all, it was a year full of travel, and I managed to go to the mountains a little,
but I held back on mountain climbing because I was afraid of bears.

And looking back at my year on note,
I finished the year having challenged myself and kept things going in my own way.
My biggest challenge was writing a 'short-short' story every week
based on the 'Amano Writing Club' prompts.

This year, I will continue to work steadily toward my goals.
Taking on challenges and doing new things
provides stimulation to my daily life in my 50s, which otherwise has little change.
Since that also makes me feel alive,
I will keep at it without overdoing it.

While continuing 'early to bed and early to rise, morning activities, daily note updates, reading, and muscle training',
I will find learning and ideas even in play and share them.
And in 2026, I hope to go on many trips and mountain hikes as well.

◆ How to spend the beginning of the year

When I'm not traveling, the year-end and New Year holidays are when I have the most time.
Since the gym and library are closed during the holidays,
I spend most of my time at home.

Today, New Year's Day, I'm going to a nearby day-trip hot spring facility with a friend for a mini New Year's party.
From Jan 2nd to 3rd, I will read paid magazines and articles I've purchased on note,
and build on new ideas for my own note,
spending the time meaningfully without forgetting to learn through input and output.

On Jan 3rd, the gym opens, so I might do my first muscle training, first run, and first swim of the year. From Jan 5th (Mon) to 6th (Tue), I'm going on my first solo hot spring trip of the year to Izu Atagawa.
I aimed for dates after the 4th when prices drop.
I start work on Jan 7th (Wed).

I hope that for everyone this year,'note' will be the spice of life.
And may 2026 be a year filled with happiness.
Thank you for reading until the end.

It's past 6:30 now, so I'm going to go for my usual walk
and try to see the first sunrise of the year. I wonder if I'll be able to see it around 7:00.
See you later.

New Year's Day 2026 (Reiwa 8)
takewoody