Last month I shared my theme for the year “The Year of Health”. Since then, things have been… interesting in the most British sense of the word.

• My kids and I have been ill more often than any time I can remember (I think there’s only been a handful of days when I’ve felt actually “right”).
• I haven’t built the health habits I wanted
• despite some socialising, I’ve been very bad at looking after my mental health

Now before I go on, I want to say there has been some success. I’ve met up with some old friends, I’ve had a better temperament and perspective with my kids, and some of the really negative internal self-talk has been reduced to almost nothing (though disturbingly returned over the weekend). The main issue, however, has been that I haven’t “made the healthy choice.”

Prior to this year, I had adopted a great maxim that had really helped nudge me to some far better choices. Here’s a couple of examples

• Instead of having a beer after work on Wednesday, I’d have a cup of tea
• Not grabbing a bar of chocolate when leaving the shop
• Playing with the kids rather than sitting down
• taking the stairs not the lift.

Since the new year, I have neglected this maxim. Instead I’ve done “what I felt like”.

I don’t know how significant each action is (I’ve certainly felt worse after gobbling down a big bag of crisps one evening) but the cumulative effect is the most profound. Each time I “make the healthy choice” I take a vote on being “healthy”.

So when a bigger issue comes up like not wanting to meet up with a group of friends because the black dog has been barking on your ear all morning, it’s easier to “make the healthy choice”.

A day in bed

As I write this, I’m sat upright in bed after a day off work due to some of the worst illness I’ve had in years (no one needs more specific details do they).

I know the chemical weapons labs I live with (otherwise known as my children) are likely the main reason for this bout of illness, but I’ve been aware of this neglect for the last few weeks too.

This is the prompt I needed to get back on track (I hope)¹. It’s time to make the healthy choice again.

I was wondering how I could do a video for a sketchnote tutorial at my desk.

I started thinking about getting an HDMI in so I could hook up my mirrorless camera, then maybe rig a phone above my desk, perhaps move the screen so the camera could be more in front of me… And then I realised that using continuity camera and desk view would be perfect. I tried it rigged above my monitor and it was too high away which revealed the final truth.

The best (simplest) setup for doing a sketchnote tutorial video is probably a mac laptop with an iPhone doing continuity camera¹.

Not just tutorial videos

Of course, this isn’t just about the amazing continuity camera, but many other “defaults” and built in experiences are good enough.

Yes, there are definitely exceptions (the webcam on my 2020 Macbook Air has A LOT to be desired) but the additional complexity comes with a lot of extra resistance.

There’s a reason the smartphone is the most popular camera in the world.

It’s also why even though I can see the value in all the bells and whistles of omnifocus, I’ve never managed to make it stick. Although, it does present a good example of an exception.

Exception: When you love the details

The people who I’ve noticed love Omnifocus find all those bells, whistles and automations to be joyful. Sure, they have setbacks but they never seem to find them frustrating. While I don’t find this the case with omnifocus, there are other tools and systems where I do experience it.

That seems like a good guideline for whether the more or less complex solution is right for you.

As I was listening to the latest episode of Cortex on “Yearly Themes” I instantly knew what mine should be.

The year of health.

It’s the culmination of several factors in life at the moment so let me explain.

An apocalyptic moment

A few week’s back I noticed that I was struggling to see the tiny text on my laptop screen.

Normally, I work at a 32" 4k monitor so I hadn’t had to test my eyes. But this one moment revealed both that yes, it is indeed time for me to get my eye’s tested again and, more significantly, age is affecting my body.

It was a watershed moment that broke through my complacency. It also made me reframe several other experiences and ideas from recent weeks.

But it wasn’t just about physical health

The year of mental health

(note: the following is very personal, mental health like physical health is complex. Take with large amounts of salt and speak to a trained professional if you need help).

This last year has been very difficult for me for a few reasons some of which I can’t divulge on the internet. When added to the usual work and family stresses (and noises — my daughter is currently in a neighbouring room blowing a whistle with much gusto), it’s affected my character for the worse.

I’d love to say I’ve been able to respond rationally and affectionately to every situation but in truth I’ve been reactive with an unpleasant tone far too often.

Honestly, if I carry on like this I will make my own life, and the ones of those around me, worse.

I need to look after myself so I can look after them.

The connection of physical and mental health

Physical and mental health work together.

While it’s possible to be ill mentally or physically and be well in the opposite field, it’s far more common for each to affect the other.

• Get a cold and your mood is likely to get worse.
• Look after your body and you’ll probably feel better about yourself.

So when one area is doing well, it’s far easier to help the other. And if you have a serious issue in one area, it’s worth helping the other.

That means that a lot of actions to help my physical health (eating better, exercising more) will help my mental health and some to help my mental health (socialising more) will help my physical health too.

One of the simplest tools I’ve found so far is a maxim I’ve taken on.

“Make the healthy choice”

I started using this simple phrase when I had my laptop revelation.

As I was thinking through some unhealthy habits (drinking too much coffee, eating certain junk foods) I had the thought “I want to make the health choice”, and it stuck around.

Now, when I’ve had a moment where I’ve been choosing between drinking a coke or having a cup of tea, I’ve gone for the tea. Or when I really wanted to take the kids to the cinema so I could rest rather than the nearby park, I went to the park as it was the “healthy choice”.

I’ve still indulged at times like Christmas and New Year, but those are exceptions rather than rules.

The first steps and the next ones

I still have bigger actions and project I need to address for my health, but this little saying and the idea of the year of health have already helped me change my lifestyle.

Taking on these bigger projects will be harder but the early rewards are giving me the motive to invest more.

Whatever your yearly theme is, I wish you the best of luck.

I love Micro blog. I’m not sure why exactly, but it always feels like a nice place to go on the internet. I’ve met great people there whom I’ve then met in real life and exchanged gifts with. I’ve been challenged by different perspectives, and grown from people further along the path than I am.

It’s my favourite social network.

But I feel it’s changed over time[ˆ1] and I want to push against that.

A return to blogging

There’s nothing wrong with microblog post, but there’s something special about a blog post.

Someone taking the time to give a post a title transforms the fleeting thought into a codified idea takes time to create and consume properly. It’s so easy to gravitate to shorter, louder and reductive content that gives quicker rewards.

But when I spent time indulging in richer and longer content, I always feel the better for it.

So, I’m trying to be the change I want to see.

More blogs next year

For next year, I’m committing to share more longer form posts.

I’ve had several posts in the back burner or half drafted, this year I’m going to do better at finishing things off (or not let a technical issue stop me from publishing!).

I don’t know exactly what these posts will be on, but we’ll see.

Just longer blogs?

Nope, I also want to share more links of great content that I’ve found as well.

It was something I did a lot in the early days of Micro.Blog but I fell out of the habit of doing.

Burning the Ships

A final change I’m making is closing down a couple of old sites.

I had a personal site which I started more than 12 years ago. It started as very general thoughts, became street photography focused and now lies neglected (but still makes some Amazon affiliate link money).

So I’m merging it with my micro.blog account.

Hello 2025

I’m sure some plans will change in 2025, but these are my current plans.

I can’t wait to see what you share too.

[ˆ1]: This is 100% subjective. I’m aware of evidence against this including the name of the site.

At some point I will be writing a masters thesis on Biblical studies through my part time program (I’m taking a year off right now). So I’m thinking of questions that would be interesting to ask and answer in preparation.

1. Henry VIII’s faith.

He was such a defendant of the Roman Catholic Church and then changed. Was it simply so he could get divorced or were their hints before/theology trends that continued (and maybe influence Anglicanism today?)

2. Jesus receiving the covenant blessings (and curses?)

If Jesus fulfills the mosaic covenant, he should receive the blessings of that covenant (and those who are “in Christ” should receive them too) It would be interesting to go through each stipulation and blessing in turn and how they are fulfilled. Conversely, if he took the curses in our place, then we should be able to see that?

Bonus: Abiding in Christ

This is one I’ve been reflecting on as a devotional topic. I took every verse on abiding in Christ, put them in obsidian and have been grouping them, looking at the reasons why, the statements how, etc. I think someone has probably really covered this but i

One of my kids had a very specific request for her birthday.

A giant toy connected to their favourite cartoon of the moment. I was hesitant — we don’t have that much space and already have a couple of really large toys (that for me at least are just annoying) — but we relented and sure enough a giant Gabby’s Dollyhouse arrived complete with set of figures.

Before it arrived, my wife had noted that this gigantic plaything wasn’t complete. In fact, it’s a modular toy so you can add more rooms and areas on to it — oh. Joy.

But, here we are a month later and my daughter recently exclaimed their frustration at the toy.

• It’s too big
• It’s not like real thing
• it’s stupid (her words, not mine).

And so, she isn’t playing with it much. To be clear, she does still play with it, but she’s also suggested selling it (we regularly sell our old kids old toys and they can then use that money to buy new ones).

It made me think about some of the toys we’re had recently that they’ve used consistently and still enjoy.

• Bikes
• Roller blades
• swimming goggles
• A paper zine with printing out pictures they chose.

It seems that the more active, involved and self created things are those they love the most. And, of course, they are far cheaper too.

It’s not just kids

Of course, it’s not just my kids but me too.

Many of the cool gadgets I think will make me happy I grow out of quickly. But the things that get me out and about or tools to create things are the things that bring me ongoing enjoyment.

I’d bet you’re similar.

An irony of Tim Keller’s winsomeness — he never rested in his power to convert.

Yes, he studied and used his intellect to present arguments for God and theology, but I always sensed a humility where he didn’t try to force his faith.

“Here it is. It is good.”

Is the posture I always got from him. And he believed it.

In the last few days, I’ve (unfortunately) caught some of his detractors again complaining about his “winsomeness” approach¹.

The main criticism I’ve heard is “he should have been more forceful!” That usually means he should have insulted or belittled his opponents, he should have campaigned politically on their top issues, or, as I read yesterday, he didn’t change the politics of New York so he was a failure.

All of which come back to trusting in our own strength to achieve a goal, rely on ends justifying the means and usually **come from insecurities that their ideas aren’t actually good or persuasive **but have to be forced upon people instead.

My church is doing a series on Evangelism at the moment and one of the themes four preacher (all of who haven’t known what the other would preach) have touched on is faithfulness and trusting God rather than resting in our strength or skill.

I wonder what that does to the culture war stuff?

I am certain it let’s speak confidently on issues that are “progressive” or “conservative” without fear of repercussion ². And, although there will be exceptions who imbue impure motives, lets the listener see the honest conviction of the speaker rather than see the demon they fear is underneath.

Keller wasn’t perfect, but I’d certainly rather adopt his posture and rely on God’s power than try it on my own.