Sunday, 14th September, 2025
Week One: Mind, Body, Soul Reset
This isn’t a woe me journal. It’s not a wow me story. It’s a show me — to show you.
And what I mean by that is this: a show me, my journey of being ever present and self-disciplined, to show you what happens when we apply ourselves to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. In doing so we not only grow physically and mentally, but spiritually too. And that growth has a ripple effect on everyone around us.
This week has been the start of something I’ve needed for a long time — a commitment to look after my mind, body and soul properly. It hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been perfect, but that’s not the point. The point is that I’ve shown up, even when I’ve struggled, and I’ve been willing to be honest with myself about where I’m at.
I’m proud of my resilience. Every single day this week I’ve reflected, journaled, and kept gratitude at the centre of it all — even when I’ve been at my lowest. I’ve been grateful not just for the good moments, but for the struggles too, because they are teaching me where I still need to grow.
The hardest moment came from outside, when a phone call was made to stir up problems between Rachel and me. It threw me off because of my past and because of how open I am about my life online. I didn’t handle it as well as I’d like at first, but I got through it with Rachel, and now I see it for what it is. People might look at me through the lens of my past and try to cause issues, but I know who I am now, and I know the path I’m on.
Looking back to the start of the week, I can feel the difference. It’s been testing, but it hasn’t beaten me. In fact, I feel positive moving forwards. Holding myself accountable here means I’m far less likely to shy away from the challenges, and the healthy habits I’m building are already starting to take root. They will bear fruit if I keep going.
Rachel has been supportive, as always, even through our own struggles. I believe nothing can beat us. We keep finding ways to love and respect each other, even in difficult moments. My children have been blessings too — caring, considerate, and helping me in ways they probably don’t even realise. Watching Sofia step into secondary school and enjoy her birthday has been a joy in itself.
If I had to sum this week up in one sentence, it would be this: hard to start, but essential for the self, and even in the struggle, the benefits are already showing. I’m becoming more aware and observant, even if I’m still reactive at times.
On top of that, I’ve already seen real, physical results. I’ve lost weight and noticed improvement in my overall fitness in just one week. Journaling has kept me mindful, and though meditation still needs more attention to become a habit, it’s starting to open up moments of presence. I can feel myself becoming more aware in the day-to-day, and I know that will help not only my relationships with others but also my relationship with myself.
My schedule this week
Most mornings started with journaling. If I hadn’t written throughout the day, I’d catch up on the day before, then begin with how I was feeling and a list of gratitudes. Even the smallest things — which I’ve realised are actually the biggest — like breathing, fresh air, or the comfort of my bed.
Speaking of the bed, I make it every morning. That’s something I’ve carried with me for years. If I make my bed, I’ve achieved something straight away, for my benefit and my comfort. It sets the tone for the day. And even if the whole day goes to shit, at least I’ve got a tidy bed to climb into at night.
Then it’s the gym. Thirty minutes of cardio to start. At the beginning of the week that looked like ten minutes walking briskly on the treadmill, ten minutes on the rower and ten on the bike. By Sunday I’d progressed to a fifteen-minute brisk walk followed by fifteen minutes of intense rowing — hitting 3.25km in that time.
After cardio, it’s straight into weights. I’m following a bodybuilding programme with six sessions a week. It allows one rest day, and I give myself the choice of when that is, depending on how I feel or what life throws my way.
Some days it’s then straight out for a walk with Freyja, usually thirty to sixty minutes, before the rest of the day unfolds however it unfolds.
Next week I’ll have to adjust this routine as I step back into work. By next Sunday I’ll let you know how that balance goes.
Moving forward
The weight of bills and debt means I’m stepping back into some plastering work this week. It’s not ideal, but the difference now is that I know I’m not a slave to it. Plastering isn’t my life, it’s simply a tool I can pick up or put down. I have the power to walk away from what hurts me and stand firmly in what doesn’t. That’s freedom. Not being trapped, but being able to choose.
With that comes a new challenge this week — trying to balance work while keeping these health habits a part of my routine.
And I know there are things I still need to dig a little deeper on. Doomscrolling is one. It’s been a crutch for too long, and I need to replace that habit with something better. My food choices too, while improved, are still not the healthiest they could be. These are areas to keep working on in the weeks ahead, with the same honesty and accountability I’ve brought into this first week.
This is only week one. There’s a long way to go, but I can already feel the shift. And I’ll keep showing up, no matter what.