July summary

03 Aug, 2025

It's the first time I've ever reviewed a full month, and this one felt completely different from the last. I noticed real improvement in multiple areas, and I finally got the chance to grow in most of the things I've been trying to work on. I'll break this post down by the hobbies I'm currently focusing on: running (and going to the gym), video editing, and journaling.

Running

Running is a hobby I started back in June. At first, I ran three days a week, and gradually built up from there. It was really satisfying to track my progress—starting with 3K runs, then moving to 5K, and eventually 10K. But this month wasn’t just about distance. It was about running a half marathon.

I even wrote about it in my journal because it was genuinely one of the craziest days I’ve had:

21/7/2025 – I DID A HALF MARATHON. I know future me might look back at this and think it was easy—but let’s talk about how it actually happened. I started the run as usual, and around the 2K mark I realized I wasn’t tired at all. So I told myself, “I can keep going.” 2K turned into 3K, then 5K, then 10K. I RAN 10K WITHOUT STOPPING. Can you imagine?!!! I knew right then that I could complete a half marathon. The only issue came around 16K—my hips and knees started to ache, and I couldn’t keep running at the same pace. From there, I alternated between walking and slow jogging... BUT I DID IT.

That day stands out as one of the best running experiences I’ve had so far—not just because I completed a half marathon, but because I also hit my personal best times for both the 5K and 10K. It’s amazing how much this one hobby has added to my life.

here's the summary

Video Editing

This is one hobby I didn’t get to pursue much this month. The main challenge was how difficult it became to keep up with new techniques and ideas. The editing process—breaking down edits, analyzing them, and trying to recreate that same energy in my own videos—was something I truly enjoyed. I loved brainstorming new concepts and watching hours of effort come together into something creative and satisfying.

But work got overwhelming. My schedule became so packed that I barely had time for any of my regular hobbies. Most days, I’d come home late and the only thing I could do was sleep.

Still, I can’t ignore how valuable the experience has been. I even started something called “The 3-Month Project”—an idea where I’d choose three core hobbies or life areas to improve significantly over three months. The inspiration came from the concept of [[Being a Renaissance Man]], which really resonated with me. I love the idea of someone who isn’t limited to one interest or skill. That’s why I chose video editing—it’s a craft I’ve been obsessed with for a while. I’ve always admired edits across different types of media, and the idea of making something like that myself felt both exciting and achievable.

I’ll definitely come back to this hobby—once I can find a bit more peace and balance in my work life.

Gym & Lifting Weights

Alongside running, I’ve also been working on getting consistent with lifting weights. The first two weeks were honestly rough—mainly because of the muscle soreness after each training session. Some days (especially leg day) were the absolute worst.

But the more I stayed consistent, the more rewarding it became. I managed to complete over 10 training sessions this month, and I tracked all of them using an app called Hevy. It felt great to actually visualize the progress. Here are some snapshots of my workout summary so far:

Journaling

This month, journaling felt easier and more natural than ever. And honestly, I think video editing had a big role in that. Instead of just writing, I’ve started documenting each day and each month through video. I edit together the important moments, highlight how I felt, and try to capture the atmosphere of each day.

One of my main goals has been to become more descriptive—explaining not just what happened, but how I felt in the moment, or what I was thinking exactly. I even try to include the small, easily forgotten details: people I spoke with online, things I bought, random passing thoughts. I want my journal to be as honest and real as possible, like I’m speaking to someone I deeply trust—someone who doesn’t interrupt, just listens patiently.

I’ve been wanting to journal more on paper too, using a physical notebook, but I haven’t been able to stick with it yet. For now, what’s really working for me is creating daily video entries, then editing them with B-roll—photos and clips I’ve taken throughout the month—to make a full recap video. It’s a format that feels both creative and personal.

I'll write more every month but for August I'll improve these hobbies :

• Running
• Gym and lifting weight
• Reading and taking notes
• Writing journaling