More Than Our Story

My Outlook For 2025

A beautiful sunset photo I took in Costa Rica last November, 2024.

Table of Contents

2025 is here, and there was a time when I wasn’t sure I would be, but I’m not only here – I’m thriving. I have only two more cycles of chemotherapy, and I’m feeling more optimistic than ever. I’ve set a few directives to adhere to this year to become my best self.

I Will:

  • Share My Feelings: This year, I will continue to take the time to tell my friends and family what they mean to me and how much I appreciate them.
  • Be Honest: I’ve always been honest but am a people-pleaser. This year, I will strive to realize my limits and not over-commit if it necessitates overreaching.
  • Be Flexible: I’m a creature of habit and can be overly organized and rigid – especially with my training schedule. This year, I pledge to be more flexible with plans and learn to ‘roll with it’ more.
  • Be Positive: I’m about as positive as you can get. This year, I will continue to embrace positivity.
  • Be Present: I get easily fixated and absorbed by whatever I do. I will be physically, mentally, and emotionally more present for my friends and family.
  • Be Grateful: Every morning or night, I say what I’m grateful for, which is a lot. This practice will continue.
  • Be Mindful: I will be more conscious of my thoughts, feelings, and actions and how they impact others.
  • Be My Best Self: This one encapsulates all areas of my life: physical, mental, and emotional health. I have taken up yoga and meditation, practicing most mornings as I find it grounding, allowing me to prepare for my day. I was always diet-conscious, but I have decided to step it up this year, balancing eating well with body positivity. And finally, I have decided to explore the creativity I set aside. I will devote time each week to creative writing, art, or making music – things I used to cherish.
  • Complete An IRONMAN: This final one has been coming since completing my first half IRONMAN less than a year after my surgery. I’m committed to my training whilst being present and flexible for my friends and family, and I will hopefully achieve that dream this year.
  • Make Memories: I will strive to make as many wonderful memories as possible.

I Will Not:

  • Take Things For Granted: After my mom passed last year, I realized that life is too short to take things for granted. I will appreciate every moment.
  • Dwell On Things: Like most people, I lament on things I could have done or said better. Instead of dwelling on them, I will take a moment to reflect and then move on.
  • Stressing Over Things: I will let go of worry and stop wasting my mental resources over things I cannot control.
  • Overthinking: I will not overthink things. I will trust my instincts and focus on being proactive, not giving in to worry and anxiety.

I know I’m not perfect, but I hope to become a little more so by following these directives I’ve set forth for this year.

My Outlook For 2025:
I will make the most of this year and take on all the challenges and triumphs it brings!

Picture of Daniel

Daniel

Daniel is an extremely curious person, a wealth of random knowledge and facts. Extremely passionate about a vast array of interests ranging from health to history, science to athletics, everything culinary and the list goes on. Trust us, you would want to be on his team for Trivial Pursuit. Daniel is also years into his battle with brain cancer. He experienced a seizure while on a Zoom call at work in late 2020 and quite literally, his life changed within minutes. After his operation he started to talk about his story but had always known it was more than just him. From then, More Than Our Story became a PROJECT that has evolved into the starting point it is today.

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With the summer ending, I reflect upon recent personal, physical and mental adversities my family and I have had to endure, and look forward to a new year.

Follow along on a one-way trip to Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, where I received radiation and chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer.

2025 is here, and I’m thriving and more optimistic than ever. I’ve set a few directives to adhere to this year to become my best self.