by Karon -

My July Project: Finding My Way Back to Myself

My July project started out very simply – bring more creativity into my life. I thought I was going to spend July doing creative things, but somewhere along the way, creativity reminded me who I was.

I started by going to several art galleries each week. This wasn’t difficult with areas like Santa Fe, Madrid, and Old Town Albuquerque all less than an hour away. I’ve always loved eclectic art galleries, and I found plenty of them in this area.

Many of the galleries were small, independently owned spaces and I was able to meet and visit with the artist. It was so interesting to chat with them about their inspirations or how they got started in art. One watercolor artist I met had been an engineer for 30+ years and then started his second career as an artist. His work was so peaceful, with such a wonderful use of light.

One of my favorite art experiences by far was discovering “Origami in the Garden at Box Studios” on the Santa Fe end of the Turquoise Trail. It turned out that the artist, Kevin Box, was the same artist whose work had captivated me in Boulder, Colorado. I had first discovered his sculptures at a lovely gallery on a sunny afternoon at Pearl Street Mall, and I immediately felt a connection to his work—a permanent representation of the ephemeral art of paper folding. During my years in Japan, I had developed a deep appreciation for the delicate art of origami and absolutely fell in love with Kevin Box’s sculptures. So, to happen upon his work again after traveling all the way to New Mexico felt like such a serendipitous moment.

Besides wandering through art galleries, I began to sketch in my watercolor journal even if only for ten or fifteen minutes a day. It became such a fun little addition to my daily habits. I would sketch everything from flowers to adobe dwellings. I gave myself permission to just play and have fun with the paint without any expectations. I did for myself what I used to do for my art students – encouraged myself to just be okay with imperfection.

I also started reading The War of Art, a book recommended by an artist I met during my stay in Rockport, Texas, back in January. I had actually attended her workshop the previous fall, and when I visited her gallery during my time in Rockport, we talked about the creative process and her own leap of faith into pursuing art. I tucked her book recommendation away in my bin of books traveling with me, and July seemed like the perfect time to finally read it. Her story, along with the book’s exploration of the internal conflicts we face when we try to create, gave me even more to think about during those hot Albuquerque afternoons.

Somewhere along the way, I noticed something happening. The more time I spent wandering through art galleries, talking to artists, practicing art, or reading about creating, the more I wanted to create. I felt like I had found my way back to myself.

by Karon -

Choosing Movement: My June Project

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.

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