Things I Did To Change My Life In The Last 365
It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
I’m going to get straight to the juice. I’ve been high key slacking (by my standards) since I bought my house in 2022. I got comfortable. Plain and simple.
I stopped doing all of the things I usually did out of COMFORT. I spent a lot of time on myself in the past and that did wonders for me (and everyone around me). It’s how FSO was born.
So I made a promise to myself in January 2025 to get back to the old me, but just a more polished and meticulous version. I stumbled a little. Then I stumbled a lot. Hence the title.. “the last 365”. By May… I was back in my groove. I reprogrammed my mind, my mindset, and my habits to better align with who I am today. I stopped sulking about my losses and I got to work.
Wellness Consistency: I was in the gym.. but not consistently. I would have spurts of 2-3 months of consistency, then I would fall off for a month or 2 then be right back. For some that’s good, for me… that’s not enough. I got back into my daily 100s. Then I tried Brazilian Jiujitsu. Then I got back to my roots. Kickboxing. And Muay Thai. Now I go 4x a week. I have alarms set for bedtime, when I need to wake up, self care like my nightly routine, and when I need to take my vitamins. I have a whiteboard with my workout schedule where I do something everyday. I make it a point to spend nice days outside by taking walks, hiking, or going fishing. All of this is what helped me change my mindset. It’s hard. But you have to PUSH.
Meal Prep: Boring is good. Boring is better. I prepare meals for the days I have to work and know cooking isn’t feasible. I also prep enough to have lunch and dinner on those days + the ingredients for my breakfast shakes. This allows me to grab everything I need daily and go. It takes me less than 5mins to make a breakfast shake in the morning because it’s already prepped. Throw my lunch in my lunchbox with some ice packs and I’m good to go. Dinner is in the fridge too.
Set time aside for everything. Block out for your entire 24: it’s hard but it can be done. Map out your whole day and have something that you’re doing at all times. Even if it’s just tv/gaming time. I have time blocks for FSO, self care, fun, studying, and work. It’s all on my calendar with appointments and other things I need/want to do on my calendar.
If I see it more than once, I know I’m supposed to interact with it somehow: this doesn’t mean if I see an event flyer, I’m going. But if I constantly see that type of event and I know I’ve been wanting to try something new, maybe that is that something new. I kept seeing kayak fishing videos on my social media. I’ve always loved both but never actually got into them consistently together…and didn’t realize that was a thing. One day I took a chance and went to an event and had a blast. Met new people. I learned a new sport. Picked up fishing AND kayaking tips. Found out I could get a fishing kayak for like $400 and not $1k+ like I originally thought. And now that I’m saving for a nice one, I’ve been fishing more, spending more time outside, and giving my brain new exercises.
Stop procrastinating and do it right now: Procrastination cost me so much time and money in the last decade, it’s embarrassing. Not anymore. I put myself and my priorities 1st. It’s easier said than done but you show up as a better person once your needs AND wants are met. So that means handling your business. Today. And not letting things pile up. Because when they do pile up, and they will, you will not be able to show up in the way you want. That pile of procrastination problems is a bunch of shit you need and want to do.
Leave my phone(s) in another room: Sounds simple and crazy but a lot of us (myself included) have become attached to these devices and we take them everywhere with us. Yes, everywhere. I’ve made it a thing to try and leave my phone in one room and not tether myself to it all of the time. A lot of anxiety is linked to these screens and apps. DETACH. It’s hard not being on Twitter as much but it’s for the better.
Aim for things I thought I had no business aiming at last year: this is the biggest and best one. Whatever scared you last year should be nothing for you now. Aim for the scary shit. AND AIM FOR THE THINGS I’M SCARED OF NOW. That is how you grow. That is how you learn.
One thing I’ve always noticed even back in high school, I make better decisions the healthier and stronger I am. In order to be better you have to do better. In order to do better, you have to be able to perform. STACK ON.