It’s my birthday today, which is the perfect time to evaluate my achievements this past year – and to focus on what I want to achieve in this brand new, unchartered year.
This past year can be summarised by one word for me: Paleo! I’ve travelled to America twice for PrimalCon and the Ancestral Health Symposium and met so many amazing, lifelong, Paleo friends along the way. I’ve refined my Paleo nutrition and found what works for me. My housemate and a few friends have adopted a Paleo lifestyle, which I am thrilled about. I’ve spent a lot of time this year researching and reading in the Paleosphere – and of course, I started this blog. My biggest personal achievement this year has been my fitness. I have never been as fit as I am now and it enhances almost every aspect of my life. Linked into all of these factors, my sleep has been another huge transformation this past 12 months. I used to really struggle to fall asleep, sleep very poorly, then struggle to wake up in the morning. The last few months however, I’ve been tired at bedtime, sleeping soundly and waking up before my alarm almost every morning!
It seems like a timely point to work out what I want to achieve between now and my next Birthday, with the help of some “New Years” resolutions. So, from tomorrow: –
Resolution #1: I’m going to see the sunrise and sunset every day.
This is going to be quite a challenge, but it seems a really important link, to the body’s natural circadian rhythm. After all, we should live alongside the natural day; staying up until 4am isn’t good for us. Here in Sydney Sunrise is between about 5:15am (this month) and 7am in the winter months. This should be fairly easy. I’ll get up just before sunrise, so I should see the sunrise on my walk into work. The time of year will then determine how long I spend in the gym/ swimming pool before I go to work – or perhaps I’ll even start work early? Sunset will be a lot more of a challenge, as in Sydney it varies from around 4:50pm in June to about 8:10pm in the summer months (I do miss those long summer evenings in the UK!). I’m not sure how I’ll tackle this one in the winter, but the summer should be quite achievable.
Resolution #2: I’m going to get rid of five things every day.
One Primal area I really struggle with is minimalism! I have a lot of “stuff”. My friend Lars over at Primal Minimalist has recently started a new daily habit of de-cluttering his house by five things every day. I could honest do this every day for the next year – and probably still have quite a lot left by my next birthday. So this is what I’m going to do!
Resolution #3: I’m only going to eat local food.
I think I’m probably fairly compliant on this one already, when I eat at home. When I eat out however (which is all too frequently), I often have no idea where the food is sourced from. I need to know this. I think it’s really important to eat local food (and ideally, organic). This should also mean I am only eating seasonally, which is also important. I can hopefully achieve this by bringing in my lunch to work, and eating out less. When I do eat out, I’ll be very careful to select somewhere that uses local food – and I won’t be afraid to ask! One area that might not be possible is coconut oil; I’ll investigate further, but may need to make an exception here.
Resolution #4: I’m going to up the ante on my chin-up & fitness mission.
By my next birthday I want to be able to do ten unassisted pull-ups and be working towards hand-stand push-ups! I also want to be considerably fitter and stronger than I am today. As I have never been as fit and strong as I am today, this is all very exciting new territory.
Are you still sticking to your New Years or birthday resolutions? Which new Paleo habits would you like to adopt? What do you think of my resolutions?
Reflecting on a Year of Paleo Progress
As I look forward to another Paleo-filled year, I’ve realised that the power of consistent, conscious habits cannot be overstated. These resolutions aren't just short-term goals—they’re foundational lifestyle shifts that can build lasting wellness. So many of the benefits I’ve experienced—improved sleep, fitness, energy, and mindset—have been cumulative, reinforcing one another over time.
Resolution #5: Prioritise Sleep and Recovery
While my sleep has already improved dramatically, I want to go one step further and truly optimise my evening routine. That means limiting screen exposure after dark, having a consistent bedtime (even on weekends!), and winding down with stretching or meditation. Good quality sleep helps regulate hormones, improves recovery from workouts, and supports immune health—all key tenets of the Paleo lifestyle.
Resolution #6: Cultivate Daily Stillness
The past year has been full of activity—travel, social events, and fitness achievements. But one area I’d like to develop further is stillness. Whether it’s through daily journaling, time in nature, or a quiet walk without distractions, I want to find moments every day where I can pause, breathe, and centre myself. Stillness is a deeply ancestral practice, and a vital counterbalance to modern busyness.
Resolution #7: Learn a New Traditional Skill
Modern life makes it easy to rely on convenience—but as part of my Paleo journey, I want to reconnect with traditional skills. This could mean learning to ferment vegetables, make my own jerky, or even try traditional forms of movement like crawling or climbing. Not only are these practices practical, but they also build self-sufficiency and a greater appreciation for ancestral knowledge.
Resolution #8: Engage with the Paleo Community More
One of the best things about going Paleo has been the incredible community. Whether online or in person, I’d love to be more active in supporting and sharing with fellow Paleo enthusiasts. That might mean attending more local meetups, commenting more on blogs and podcasts I enjoy, or even hosting a Paleo potluck dinner. This lifestyle is easier, more fun, and more sustainable when shared.
Staying Accountable and Inspired
To stay on track with all of these goals, I’m going to start keeping a simple log. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just a few notes each evening about what I did well, where I could improve, and what I learned. Tracking progress is a great way to stay focused and spot patterns—especially when juggling multiple resolutions.
Celebrating More than Just a Birthday
This birthday feels less like a milestone and more like a springboard. I’m grateful for the health, energy, and clarity I’ve gained, and I’m excited for what the next twelve months might bring. From sunrises to slow living, and chin-ups to coconut oil, I’m committed to living intentionally and continuing to evolve on my Paleo path.
I’d love to hear from you—what new habits or challenges are you taking on this year? Are you inspired to revisit your own resolutions?
