It’s a little hard to believe that I am already halfway through a year of monthly projects. They haven’t always been easy, and some months have evolved more than they were planned, but one thing is certain—I have learned something from each one. Sometimes I’ve learned something about myself, sometimes about people, and sometimes about life in general. Looking back over June, I realized this month’s project wasn’t one I intentionally chose at the beginning of the month. It quietly chose me.
At this phase in my life, I am choosing movement. Not just moving my body, but also embracing movement in my lifestyle. Choosing to sell nearly everything I owned and become a nomad after retiring was a deliberate decision, one I try to approach with openness and positivity. There have certainly been challenges, although in the big picture they have been very small. This lifestyle has naturally shaped the way I move through my days.
June is also my birthday month, so the calendar says I’m another year older. When I was younger, I never imagined that at 67 I’d be living out of a suitcase, waking up in a different state every few weeks, and looking for the best walking trail instead of settling into a familiar routine. Life rarely follows the path we imagine, and I’m learning that isn’t always a bad thing. At some point I expect I’ll put down roots again, but for now, movement works for me.
Physical movement has become part of who I am. I can honestly say that I am someone who walks almost every day and exercises regularly. It’s not perfect – I still miss a day now and then, and I still have fitness goals – but I’m different than I was two months ago. I’m very different than I was a year ago. One of the biggest surprises has been that exercise no longer feels like something I have to make myself do. It has become part of my daily rhythm. My life has changed, and so have I. I’m still growing, and I’m still moving forward.
At the beginning of June, I had already been in Colorado for about two and a half weeks, and what better place to be active? There are so many hiking trails, beautiful parks, and pleasant temperatures. I already had a daily walking routine when I arrived in Colorado Springs, where I was greeted with sunny mornings in the 50s and afternoons in the 70s. That is pretty much my definition of an ideal climate, and there is just something about the Colorado air that makes me want to be outside.
Most mornings began with a walk. Then I would spend part of the day exploring nearby towns or parks, usually adding even more steps. Later I would head to the gym for a brief workout before enjoying the amazing recovery lounge, and I often finished the day with one more short walk. I had set a goal of 7,000 to 10,000 steps each day, and many days I exceeded it. Without really thinking about it, movement became woven into the rhythm of my days.
When I arrived in Albuquerque, I realized the habit had already taken hold. Before I had unpacked much of anything, I was out walking the neighborhood before the desert heat settled in. My second day here, I joined a fitness class at the YMCA. I wasn’t starting over—I was simply continuing the rhythm I had already created.
This month reminded me that movement shows up in different ways. I move from place to place, I move my body almost every day, and I keep moving forward into whatever comes next. It isn’t something I’ve had to force. It has become as natural as heading out for a morning walk.
This month reminded me that movement isn’t just about counting steps or closing the rings on my Apple Watch. It’s about continuing to grow, staying curious, and refusing to become stagnant. I’m choosing to keep moving—to new places, toward better health, and into whatever comes next. Along the way, I’m redefining what retirement looks like for me and reinventing myself one step at a time.
