The Year of Foundations: Why I’m Hitting Reset in 2026

Happy 2026.

This is my first post of the year—a personal log, really—and I’m aiming to write many more of these. If technology (and speech-to-text AI) allows, I want to properly document the next twelve months.

But let’s be honest about the starting line. It is New Year's morning, and I am not feeling 100%. We watched the London fireworks, the children stayed up way too late, and consequently, I am absolutely shattered. I didn't even drink that much, but the fatigue is real. I’m currently staring down the barrel of a massive "tidy up" session, and frankly, I’m just trying to find my footing.

The Wake-Up Call

If I look at where I am right now, I have to admit I’m not in the best place. My sleeping patterns are a mess. My personal life feels a bit frayed. And as I sit here on the first day of 2026, I realise that all these things are interlinked.

I feel like I am on the pathway to burnout. I’m just about managing to get through each day, feeling short on time and patience, and that isn't sustainable. It impacts everyone around me.

It’s a cliché because it’s true: You have to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others.

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So, I’ve made a decision. This year isn't about flashy resolutions; it’s about building solid foundations.

I have an appointment booked with the GP  tomorrow. It’s time to stop ignoring the warning signs. I need to tackle the excess weight, fix the sleep quality, and get my general health in check. My theory is simple: if I fix the biological machinery—the sleep, the diet, the hydration—the mental distance I’ve been feeling will close, and everything else will fall into place.

The "Festive Detox" Plan

The festive period was great, but it was a blur of sugary snacks and excess. I’ve eaten my body weight in "good old pie" and whatever my sister put in front of me. That ends today.

My immediate goals are simple:

 * Hydration: Drink more water. It sounds basic, but it’s a long way to go from where I am now.

 * Caffeine & Sugar: Cut down on the Pepsi and the coffee.

 * Alcohol: I’m definitely looking forward to a break from drinking.

A Miracle Needed (On and Off the Pitch)

Speaking of things that need a turnaround... let’s talk about Port Vale.

It’s the 150th anniversary match (or feels like the 150th year of suffering), and the team isn't in a good place either. We’ve won 1 in 12 games, the manager has been sacked, and we are sitting at the bottom of the league. If we win today, we stay bottom. We need a miracle to avoid relegation.

But, as they say, it’s a funny league. A run of four wins can change the whole conversation.

There’s a parallel there, I think. Morale at the club is low, confidence is shot, and the fans are restless. But hopefully, a decent crowd turns out today, we get a spark of momentum, and we start the climb. Just like my health, we need to stop the rot and start putting points on the board.

The March of Time

Later this week, the Christmas decorations have to come down. It’s a job I dread—it’s tedious and marks the definitive end of the fun.

It also reminds me of how frighteningly fast time moves. Before you know it, it’ll be Valentine’s, then summer, then Halloween, and we’ll be right back here running up to Christmas. It’s mental how the years go.

Looking Forward

Despite the fatigue and the football gloom, I actually have a lot to look forward to in 2026. We have a family holiday to Turkey on the horizon, which is a massive motivator.

But to enjoy that, I need to be present.

So, this blog is my accountability partner. I’m going to document my self-improvement journey—my weight loss, my sleep hygiene, and my battle against burnout. I’m not doing this for the general population, but for myself. I need to sort my foundations out because the current version of me isn't the one I want to bring into this new year.

Here’s to drinking water, finding a new manager (for Port Vale and my life), and taking things one day at a time.