It’s almost that time of year again! The 14th annual intent at creating life-long habits for myself (formerly known as Ground Hog Resolution Day). I’ve discovered that because of the after the end-of-year holidays, I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. (Truth be told, I was failing at this for the rest of the year too.) The idea was to take January as a break, so I could reflect and plan. And I have given a lot of consideration to dropping the Groundhog Resolutions altogether to come up with a more do-able plan.

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.

On 2/2 I will start at the trailhead of this journey to the first waypoint check-in on March 3rd (3/3). The next waypoints will be on 4/4, 5/5 to the end of the trail on December 12 (12/12.)

Since this will be a long trail, I need to pack light. The previous years have been weighed down and overburdened with too many goals and habits, and then failing at most of them. Time to lighten the load and focus on the essentials.

Nutrition & Training

This is priority one. I am not at my heaviest, but it feels like it. I feel it daily, and I don’t like it. This means I have to focus on my nutrition first. Eating out almost daily for lunch and then sitting at my desk during the workweek is hurting me. I’ll need a lot of help with this one. There are too many temptations out there for me. But I want and need to eat cleaner. This means I will be cutting out most sugar and hopping back on the Keto diet.

Next up is training. There are numerous activities I am interested in to help my goal of dropping those forty pounds. Health calculators project 24 months to safely lose 40 pounds. I’ll do my damndest to knock at least half of that off before journey’s end. Strength training will help burn off some fat and regain some muscle definition.

Let’s throw in some other issues like smoking and drinking. Once the tobacco runs out, I will clean out the pipe and store it. Alcohol intake has been limited, and I will do even more than that. Beer has carbs, and the keto diet hates carbs. Maybe some whiskey every two weeks at the pub will suffice. We all want some small vice, don’t we? I’ll start to wean off the diet soda, too. Enough is enough.

Yoga & Meditation

I have participated in a few group yoga practices, and it was lacking. I find yoga to be a personal endeavor as I try to relax and concentrate on what I am doing. A guru just gets in the way instead of guiding. I’ve subscribed to a fitness app that provides guidance and can be silenced as I work out.

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

Here we go again- the annual intention to enjoy my hobbies properly. 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.

Regarding my writing? It seems I enjoy writing about my intentions rather than just writing the damn things themselves. No more. I am hoping a clear mind and a healing body this year will assist in putting words down.

Journey Prep

I need to find ways to quantify and track these individual goals that makes sense to me, both analog and digital. This year, I am not adding or subtracting to these intentions. I am taking all of these on this year-long journey, and I am not leaving anything behind. I am positive, I am optimistic, and I want these changes, hell, I need these changes to happen.

I’m starting at the trail head on February 2nd and not stopping until December 12 with these goals accomplished.

Travel has always made me reflective and last weekend was no different. I think of behaviors that need to change and to try something different.

1. What needs to be changed?
2. When will I say no to that unhealthy habit?
3. What can I start today?
4. What can I stop today?
5. What needs more reflection?

It’s always amazing to me how travel puts your life into perspective. Do more of this.