This is the first check in point of the 11th month journey to create life-long habits for myself. The full write up on this is now hosted in the Archives.

I’ll be taking this year-long trek up to December 12th (12/12) and will stop and reflect on my progress each month until then. These will be known as monthly waypoints. A waypoint is a reference point that helps us know where we are and where we’re going. Whether we are walking, driving, or navigating a journey to better yourself, waypoints help us find our way.

So how am I doing so far?

Nutrition & Training

I am still eating out more than I like because it is too convenient. After looking at Keto and Paleo diets, I want to switch to Paleo.

Next up is training. It has been an odd mixture of freezing, snowy days or 80* days this past month. Infrequent trips to the gym, a lot of walking and some workouts at home with Apple Fitness+.

Still smoking, still drinking soda, still consuming alcohol. More liquor than beer because less carbs is a better idea, yeah? Something has to go, something has to give. Tobacco is my first target, then the soda. February’s Apple Fitness challenges complete and I closed all three rings every day in February. Total pounds lost this last month: Six.

Yoga & Meditation

My body is sore from yoga and even a few pilates exercises. Don’t let anyone think less of you for practicing these. You use muscles that you forgot you had in every session. I enjoy yoga and plan on deepening these sessions.

On meditation, I have realized it can be done anywhere at anytime there is even a free minute. This makes me happy and gives me zero excuses to not focus and relax.

Photography & Writing

Other than ”snappy hour” every day before sunset, I have not photographed anything I wanted to. Again, the extreme weather is not helping. That will change, even if I have to do tech stuff laying around the office and call it ”still life.” Regarding my two decades worth of unorganized images: progress. I will get the archives organized this year. Only then can I advance in what I really want to do with them. I intend to make memories by developing physical prints, books, and even zines. I’ve also switched up my genres to focus on landscape and urban photography. A lot to learn here this year.

Writing? I’ve made a decision to do more blogging/journaling both analog and digital this past month. Blogging was hampered while consolidating my websites and moving them to my own server. Also, I’ve been reading, a lot. Four books in about seven days. Writers are readers so they say.

One Last Thing:

The home office is being remodeled with some fresh paint. Still at 85% complete. Window frames to be painted then slap on the new blinds arriving tomorrow. This has slowed down my journey but it is the little side trails that make it all worth it.

Time to get back on the trail because I have a long way to go. The next waypoint check in is on 4/4. Happy trails.