Motivation loves one thing (and it's NOT January!)
Published 2 days agoΒ β’Β 5 min read
Hello Reader,β βοΈ Monday Momentum #30 β
Heya Fit Travel Tribe,β This edition's theme hit me while scrolling through social media, and seeing the few posts about not being mad about gyms getting packed on January 1st.
As much as I love gym motivation and spreading kindness, it got me thinking about the tough love message & psychology behind it all...
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Because here's the truth about fitness resolutions we might have already realized:
π¬ Waiting for January 1st is a trap π¬
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We tell ourselves we'll startβ βπ"After the holidays," βπ"on Monday," or βπ"when things settle down." β
But here's the thing...
QUESTION:
What happens to your motivation when you give all your power to a single date on the calendar?β ποΈ
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Because when you inevitably have a setback (and sorry, it happens to ALL of us)β¦ does that mean you're done until the NEXT January 1st?
Or moreover, does it make it harder to re-start?
Can you force any other calendar date to hold the same power as January 1st?
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So today I'm giving you:
β Your calendar comeback doesn't need January 1st β here's what actually works β Behind the scenes: What an audio walking tour actually includes π Current country update β Moldovan travel advisory, Bulgarian Christmas traditions, where I'm flying on Saturday β Let's get into it π
πNotes from the Fit Travel Trail
Π§Π΅ΡΡΠΈΡΠ° ΠΠΎΠ»Π΅Π΄aβ β("Merry Christmas") from Bulgaria π§π¬
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I just experienced my first Bulgarian Christmas Eve and Christmas with my partner's family!
Here's what that looked like:
π Hidden coin bread tradition β whoever finds the coin in the Christmas bread gets good luck for the year
π₯ Fortune toothpicks β traditional pastries with little paper fortunes on toothpicks. Mine? Travel and good health. THE IRONY. π
π« Sweet potato truffle obsession β (Okay, maybe I'll make this my annual contribution) My partner's family is now OBSESSED with this 6-ingredient recipe (πGET THE RECIPE)
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The best part about being back in Sofia?
ποΈ Sleeping in MY bed (not a Couchsurfing sofa)
π Having more than 3 outfit options
π₯ Seeing my friends again (!!)
π Spending NYE with my partner walking around the city
πΊ Finally getting past episode 1 of our new Netflix show
Lovely evening stroll in my partner's hometown, Blagoevgrad.
Came home to Sofia and had a work session in our bedroom since only one heater was working in the apartment
First full day back in Sofia and I taught fitness classes with my two wonderful friends (followed by pizza and coffee)
After weeks of living out of a backpack, 5 full days at HOME feels LUXURIOUS.
But wait...
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How did my Moldova trip end?!β Well, the highlight for me was visiting the unrecognized country called Pridnestrovie! (Known as Transnistria, but the locals prefer THEIR name).
Let's just say the travel advisory says "DO NOT GO THERE!" But after careful research, I learned it's actually very safe (hopefully more on that in a future edition).
I honestly loved my visit to their capital, Tiraspol. But yes...it's a bit odd....
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Tiraspol's beautiful City Hall. Fun fact: A main "oddity" of Pridnestrovie is they have their own currency (ruble). BUT you can't use a foreign credit card or withdraw money from an ATM. Only exchanging whatever cash you brought in with you!
Tiraspol's famous for their Soviet aesthetic including this very large Lenin statue
Back in Chisinau, my Couchsurfing host let me stay 3 more nights after he drove back home to Germany. I covered his 5 English classes (kids 14-18) which was very enlightening.
What's next? β
π²π¦ Flying to Morocco on Saturday for 2... or 3... or 4 weeks. Still TBD!
I'll be there most of January even if I have to fly back to Sofia briefly for paperwork. First two weeks include the cities of Tangier, Chefchaouen, Rabat, and Fez!
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ππAlso, as the last newsletter edition for 2025....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!ππ
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πFeatured Expedition
π§ Behind The Scenes: What's Actually In My Sofia Audio Tour?
You've heard me talk about audio walking tours. Maybe you recall I'm a VoiceMappublisher.
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But what does an audio tour actually include?
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HOT OFF THE PRESS: I just published a full blog post walking through my Sofia tour route β think of it as a preview of what you'd hear and see.
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Inside the post:
ποΈ The actual route (Communist monuments β Roman ruins β city center)
π° Audio tour vs. in-person tour breakdown
πΈ Photos of what you'll experience
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It's basically the behind-the-scenes look at how these tours work and whether they're worth it for your travel style.
Spoiler: I'm biased, but I genuinely think audio tours are the best budget hack for city exploration. π§
βοΈπͺWhere (TIME) Travel & Fitness Converge
ποΈ The January 1st Trap: Why Waiting Is Costing You
We've all done it:
π"I'll start working out on January 1st." π"New Year, New Me." π"Fresh start in 2026."
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But here's what actually happens when you wait for the "perfect" date:
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π― You give all your power to a calendar
Think about it: What happens when you miss a day? Or have a bad week?
If January 1st was THE day⦠does that mean you're done until next January?
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When you attach all your motivation to a single date, you're setting yourself up for all-or-nothing thinking.
Miss one workout β "Welp, I ruined it" β Give up entirely.
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Instead, try this mindset shift:
π Start in these last days of December!!
Even if it's:
15 minutes of stretching
A 10-minute walk around the block
10 pushups (on your knees is TOTALLY fine!)
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Why this works:
β¨ You build momentum BEFORE the pressure of January 1st β¨ You prove to yourself that you can start anytime β β¨ When you inevitably have a setback, you already have evidence you can bounce back
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The truth? βThere is no perfect time. There's only NOW.
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Starting SMALL in late December means:
You're already in motion when January hits
You've normalized movement as part of your routine
You're not waiting for permission from a calendar
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π± Progress isn't linear, and that's okay βYou WILL have setbacks. You WILL miss days. You WILL have weeks where everything falls apart.
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But if your entire system is built on "January 1st = start," what happens on January 8th when life gets messy?
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Build resilience by starting NOW.
πEven if it's tiny. πEven if it's imperfect. πEven if it's December 29th.
ππ°Thrifty Travel Quest
π Just Buy The Thing!!!
Okay, this week I'm going rogue.
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You know how I usually talk about saving money, stretching budgets, and making every euro count?
That $15 museum ticket you've been debating?TREAT YO SELF!
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That $20 scarf from the local market that makes you smile? TREAT YO SELF!
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Here's why: βBudget travel isn't about deprivation. β It's about making intentional choices so you can afford the things that actually matter to you.
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If you've been:
Cooking most meals
Walking instead of taking taxis
Staying in hostels
Skipping overpriced tourist traps
...then you've EARNED the right to treat yourself. DUH!!
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The goal isn't to spend zero money.β βThe goal is to spend money on experiences and things that bring you joy.
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So if you've been eyeing something all week? βThis is your permission slip. πΈ
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Buy the thing. Enjoy the thing. Don't feel guilty about the thing. βBalance is the secret to sustainable travel.
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Always on my mind: More money for more travelanything that makes you smile! πΈ
β‘Biweekly Boost: Quote of the Week
First night back in Sofia. Always feels great to workout in a FAMILIAR gym!
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The best time to start was yesterday.
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The second best time is now.
πA Friendly Favor...
A friendly favor (tiny ask): If this helped, share with one friend and use my links when you buy gear/cards. It costs you nothing - it just keeps my content free. Thank you β€οΈ
