New year, new me! (and some other cliche’s…)

Warning…impending ‘New Year, New Me’ post!

I’m typically not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but this year feels different. Things have gone too far. I’m no longer just depleting myself, I’m depleting my family, too. And things need to change.

Of course, we’ll start with the old cliche of losing weight! It’s not even about my size. I honestly don’t mind having a ‘Dad-bod’. In fact, I much prefer it to men with six pack abs and beefy biceps. Just doesn’t do it for me. But you have to admit, I look about 7 months pregnant in this photo 🫣

The truth is, I’m exhausted, overweight and ache everywhere all the time. I eat a lot of sugar and I think this has a lot to do with it. My body is sensitive, more so than the average person. I have many allergies and intolerances and I significantly struggle with food. The healthiest I’ve ever felt is when I lived on a carnivore diet. Yes, I know it seems a little extreme, but my body rejects all fruit and vegetables (it’s a medical condition), I’m highly gluten intolerant and pretty much survive on meat, potatoes, dairy, GF ultra processed s**t and sugary treats. The carbs are killing me! They’re draining my energy and making me miserable. And they’re addictive little f**kers! So I need to cut the carbs. Back to carnivore I go…

Of course, when I’m in this state, my kids don’t get the best of me either. While I make every effort to do all the school runs, to be at every school event, to attend all the meetings and hospital appointments, I still feel like I’m not giving my kids enough. I miss most bed times due to working, the mornings are stressful trying to get them ready for school and out the door on time, and then I spend every day rushing from thing to thing, until I pick them up again, feed them and go straight back to work. Then the weekends are filled with laundry, shopping, kids clubs and parties, then boom! It’s Monday again. I feel like I rarely spend quality time with them. And when I do, I’m just shattered and don’t have the energy to fully engage with them.

This has to stop. They’re growing up fast and I know I’ll regret missing these years to work, chores, commitments and exhaustion.

So my 2026 is about far more than ‘New Year, New Me’. It’s about overhauling my life so that I can become a half decent parent. So that I can embrace my kids childhood and be an active part of it. Which means BIG changes are coming…

I’m actually super excited about what Family V have in store for 2026. I can’t tell you right at this moment, but an opportunity has arisen to expand our life in a way that helps me fulfil my New Year’s resolutions. Watch this space as things unfold this springtime…

What are your plans for the new year?

Much love and namaste

Luke 💛🙏🏻