Lifestyle: February and March 2025 Wrap Up 

What Happened in February and March

Join me as I recap what happened over the past two months with my hair, blog, health, reading, travel and fitness.

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Welcome to my February and March 2025 wrap up (because I forgot to post for February so you get a double this month). 

Here's a break down of what I got up to the past two months: 

Wrapping Up February and March: What Happened

Hair

Health

I had a lot of visits and tests done over February and March and I'm finally making progress. I'm still waiting on the results of my biopsies (hopefully should get those back next week). 

The gastroscopy I had in February was a nightmare and I really hope I don't have to repeat it for a while. They did confirm I have a hiatal hernia and still have inflammation of my stomach lining. My diverticolosis is still causing issues too.

I'm getting better with my diet now. Still a lot of trial and error but I now have a better idea of what to eat and how often/how much. It's not been easy and it's still very much an ongoing experiment but at least I now have some basics I can fall back on when needed. 

In March I had more scans done for my uterus and finally got some good news... my uterine polyp has gone! The therapy worked! Unfortunately I have gained a cyst on my ovary and cervical ectropion and still have an inflamed uterus. Can't win them all I guess 🤷

My main goal for April is to continue to try and reduce the inflammation in my various organs. Between my uterus, stomach and intestine it's a lot. I'm feeling a lot more optimistic now about it all though and although it's not been easy I have made huge progress over the past couple of months. 

You might also like: Monthly Goal Ideas for Better Health

Blogging

Traffic for February: 172,016 page-views

Number of blog posts published in February: 19

Current DA score: 27

Traffic for March: 65,011 page-views

Number of blog posts published in March: 13

Current DA score: 27

Reading challenges

The Clock Reading Challenge 2025

The Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge 2025

Currently reading:

Shadow in the Ward by Ari Gray - currently on page 116/345 - Amazon - Goodreads

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson - currently at 47% - Amazon - Goodreads

Travel

Visits to doctors and hospitals aside, I did manage three social events (this might not sound like much but it's huge considering I've not really done much since October). 

In February we went to a birthday party for my brother in-law which was great but unfortunately my stomach didn't handle it very well.

In March, we went out for sushi lunch to celebrate my niece's birthday (again not great on my stomach) and visited Nettuno which is a lovely town on the coast. We had a walk around the port and looked at the boats which was nice. Hopefully we'll make it back in the summer months so we can explore more. 

We had a last minute visit from a friend from America and so ended up going out for dinner. Some other friends from Rome joined us and it turned into a great night out. On the night itself, my stomach was fine which was amazing as finally got to properly enjoy being out. Unfortunately I suffered quite a bit the following couple of days. 

Eating out isn't really a good idea for me still, which is a shame as a lot of social events here involve food. Now my health is improving I'm looking forward to being able to get out and about more often again though. I have a long list of places I want to visit when the weather improves. 

Fitness

I have to go for a short walk after each meal as part of my new routine. I actually really like doing this now and I've been gradually increasing my number of daily steps. By the end of March I've now got up to around 10,000 steps most days which was my goal.

I now feel more confident that I'll reach my goal of over 10,000 steps everyday in April. I'm going to be trying out more of these easy walking workouts on the days when I can't get out as much. I definitely want to try and reintroduce some kind of strength training too.

You might also like: 30 Day Fitness Challenges for Beginners and Tips to Start Working Out: A Friendly Guide for Women Over 40 (or Anyone Just Getting Started)

How did you do with your Challenges in February and March? What challenges are you doing for 2025? Join the conversation in the comments section. 

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Books on my 2025 Net Galley TBR 

The Summer Dare by Joanna Dodd

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

Six weeks of friendship. A lifetime paying for it.

They were the cool girls. Two years older, oozing glamour. She could prove herself worthy of their friendship. She could do the dare.

Twenty-five years later, Lucy has a perfect life. She is still friends with the cool girls. All except one. Maddie. The one they never saw again after the dare. They don't talk about her. They don’t think about her. It is as though she never existed until…

Lucy gets a text from an unknown number. Why didn't you tell them where I was?

The past hurtles into the present and secrets push their way to the surface.

Who is the message from? Is Maddie back? Or is someone else set on exposing the truth and seeking revenge?

A gripping domestic psych thriller perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, S.E. Lynes and Lisa Jewell.

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L. V. Pederson

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

EVERYONE HAS SECRETS... SOME ARE JUST MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS.

When Madison starts her first real job as an executive assistant at a Silicon Valley AI Giant, she has hopes to start afresh and put her troubled life in Boston behind her. But it is not to be.

A young employee out for an evening jog turns up dead.

Her charismatic VP boss fills her with unease.

And when Madison uncovers her boss's deadly secret, her ordinary life is thrust into a high-stakes conspiracy the FBI is desperate to crack.

An unprecedented crime from the past is about to be repeated on an unimaginable scale.

A shocking revelation, and her quest for redemption, could get her killed.

Tick-tick-tick...

Just One Night in Rome by Tiziana Olbrich

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

They live on opposite ends of the globe: Is one unforgettable evening enough to forever intertwine the lives of two strangers?

When Josie books her trip to Italy, she has only one thing in mind: to escape from her ex and men in general. In Rome fate deals a curious hand as she finds herself sharing a hostel room with the globetrotter Leo. Beyond his outrageously good looks, the Chilean backpacker unsettles Josie with his persistent questions, causing her to rethink her life choices. Leo invites her on the adventure of her life: An adventurous night roaming the streets of Rome. Sparks fly intensely, however Leo lives on the other side of the world, and Josie doesn't know if she will ever see him again. Is one magical night enough to turn her whole world upside down?

The Thorn Necklace by Francesca Lia Block

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

For devotees of Bird by Bird and The Artist's Way, a memoir-driven guide to healing through the craft of writing

Francesca Lia Block is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the award-winning Weetzie Bat series. Her writing has been called "transcendent" by The New York Times, and her books have been included in "best of" lists compiled by Time magazine and NPR.

In this long-anticipated guide to the craft of writing, Block offers an intimate glimpse of an artist at work and a detailed guide to help readers channel their own experiences and creative energy. Sharing visceral insights and powerful exercises, she gently guides us down the write-to-heal path, revealing at each turn the intrinsic value of channeling our experiences onto the page.

Named for the painting by Frida Kahlo, who famously transformed her own personal suffering into art, The Thorn Necklace offers lessons on life, love, and the creative process.

The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

Covering everything from how to determine printing costs and calculate royalties to the most up-to-date marketing strategies, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing has become the go-to book for authors considering self-publishing. Now in its sixth edition, The Fine Print delves into more topics than ever before, including a comparison of the quality of finished books produced by popular DIY service providers and newly expanded sections on printing and distribution options, ebook publishing, and online and traditional marketing ideas. And, like the previous editions, The Fine Print walks readers through the printing markups and royalty payouts of the top publishing service providers.

Whether you’re thinking about hiring a self-publishing company or handling the process on your own, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing will get you one step closer to achieving your publication goals.

Sweet Tea and Kisses: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set by Melinda Curtis, Shanna Hatfield, Susan Hatler, Ciara Knight, Lucy McConnell, Jennifer Peel

(I couldn't find it on Amazon) - Goodreads - Net Galley

Discover the alluring world of the South with six sweet contemporary romance novellas from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

Chase fireflies that glitter on starry nights, listen to the call of the cicadas, and smell the luscious scent of magnolias as you experience the adventures of cowboys, brides, second chances, and unexpected romance all set in Atlanta. Don’t miss your chance to fall deeper in love as you explore the South through the eyes and hearts of these unforgettable characters.

A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Melinda Curtis, USA Today Bestselling Author. Kitty Summer has a wedding to stop. She’s sure the groom doesn’t love her sister, but how can she prove it? By testing his fidelity with one very public kiss, of course.

Taste of Tara by Shanna Hatfield, USA Today Bestselling Author. Falling in love never tasted so sweet… Pastry chef Tara Tarleton has one month to live out her dreams on a plantation in the South. Reality falls far short of her expectations until a chance encounter with a hunky horse wrangler changes her mind.

The Wedding Charm by Susan Hatler, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author. In order to retrieve and deliver an antique charm before her best friend’s wedding, maid of honor Sarah Carlton must fake being in love with her childhood nemesis, best man Ben Atkins.

Sassy Bride by Ciara Knight, USA Today Bestselling Author. A Cinderella meets Rich Charming tale set in small town, Georgia, full of sass and sacrifice. Can a girl form the wrong side of town win over the ugly in-laws, or will she lose her happily ever after forever?

It Could Happen to Us by Lucy McConnell, Contemporary Romance Author. An irresistible contemporary romance about a not-so-humble cop who splits his raffle ticket with an unlucky waitress and the actor who falls in love with her.

Hit and Run Love by Jennifer Peel, Award Winning and Bestselling Author. What happens when a no-nonsense lawyer and her ex-boyfriend, a police officer, run into each other? Lots of sparks, literally and figuratively. Will this be another hit and run? Or, this time around, will Harrison be able to convince Kallie to give up her running shoes?

The Sweet Tea and Kisses Boxed Set by the Sweet Six authors will have you falling in love with the South with every turn of the page.

The Devil’s Prayer by Luke Gracias

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

17th March 17 - Shortlisted for the Australian Shadow Award - Best Australian Horror Novel of 2016.

A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago.

In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.

As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.

And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it.

Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction?

Write to Influence! by Carla D. Bass

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

Powerful writing can change your life! It correlates directly to success, personal and professional. You may be the best candidate for a competitive opportunity—hands down—but if the competition is better at telling a story, you lose. Opportunity knocking? Choose this book when powerful writing is paramount to your goals. Attention employers! Have you read a paragraph in a report again and again … unable to understand it? Accurate, clear, and concise writing is the lifeblood for effective operations … in private business, corporations, NGOs, and government agencies. “Write to Influence!” is perfect for your employees! With this book you will: • Write to win—Make every word count and every second of the reader’s time play to your advantage • Write a resume that stands out … for the right reasons. • Compose performance reviews—clear, powerful, compelling—for military and civilian organizations • Persuade the reader—Identify and assemble those hard-hitting facts to make your case. • Refine your presentation skills—Learn to develop and give a spot-on briefing • Maximize your internet promotion—Leverage powerful words to do just that • Craft professional email—Polished, succinct, and effective communication • Improve business writing skills—Avoid the ten most common errors with this how-to guide “Write to Influence!” is light-hearted and conversational in tone, easy to read, and chock-full with practical advice. Bass’s unique insight into influential writing is based on her 30 year’s active duty in the Air Force, working with general officers, ambassadors, congressional delegations, and foreign dignitaries -- individuals for whom five minutes was significant. She wrote hundreds of personnel appraisals, award nominations, and other competitive packages; reports for executive-level signature; elevator speeches and executive memoranda much of which was sent to Congress.

The Lafayette Sword by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

Gold. Obsession. Secrets. Following the murder of a Freemason brother, Antoine Marcas uncovers unsettling truths about gold and its power to fascinate and corrupt. A priceless sword is stolen and deaths ensue setting the Freemason detective on a case of Masons turned bad. A clue points to mysteries and conspiracy about elusive pure gold, launching a frantic, deadly race between two symbolic places—the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. A captivating plot weaves alchemy and the Middle Ages into a modern-day thriller. Part of an international, best-selling series that has sold 2 million copies worldwide, with “vivid characters, an evocative international setting, and history darker than midnight.” For readers who love ancient myths, secret societies, chilling narrative and modern speed.

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

Amazon - Goodreads - Net Galley

Set in the Alaskan landscape that she brought to stunningly vivid life in THE SNOW CHILD (a Sunday Times bestseller, Richard and Judy pick and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), Eowyn Ivey's TO THE BRIGHT EDGE OF THE WORLD is a breathtaking story of discovery set at the end of the nineteenth century, sure to appeal to fans of A PLACE CALLED WINTER.

'Stunning and intriguing... the reader finishes it richer and wiser' Rosamund Lupton, author of Sister and The Quality of Silence

Lieutenant Colonel Allen Forrester receives the commission of a lifetime when he is charged to navigate Alaska's hitherto impassable Wolverine River, with only a small group of men. The Wolverine is the key to opening up Alaska and its rich natural resources to the outside world, but previous attempts have ended in tragedy.

Forrester leaves behind his young wife, Sophie, newly pregnant with the child he had never expected to have. Adventurous in spirit, Sophie does not relish the prospect of a year in a military barracks while her husband carves a path through the wilderness. What she does not anticipate is that their year apart will demand every ounce of courage and fortitude of her that it does of her husband.

You might also like: January Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

My Net Galley TBR Reading Challenge 2025

This is the graphic I'll be using to keep track of the books I read from my Net Galley TBR list this year. 

As I read them I'll be adding a tick over the book cover. The goal is to tick them all off the list meaning my feedback ratio will then be 100% and I'll have zero books to be read on my Net Galley list.