Christmas was the best I can remember.
I actually switched off – properly switched off – for the first time in fifteen years. The house was full: extended family, friends dropping in, laughter everywhere, kids running wild.

I didn’t drink a drop on Christmas Day – I did that for my brother who’s sober.
After that, from the 27th to the 30th, I had a couple – nothing crazy – but New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? Zero. And it’s held ever since. No urge at all. The bottles are still there on the shelf. I walk past them each day. I nod, they nod back. We’re good.

Monday the 5th the house was empty – kids at school, wife at work, a couple of cancellations. Quiet morning.
I felt sad. Not the heavy, dark kind – just… missing the noise. The house felt empty.

Before Christmas I’d written myself an eight-week plan.
I did Monday’s workout. Tuesday’s session looked savage and I just… didn’t feel it. So I didn’t do it. Instead I meditated and listened.
My inner kid said: Wallace & Gromit, hot drink, sofa.
So that’s exactly what I did. I laughed. I felt six again.

The next day, there was no guilt, no “I need to catch up”.
I walked into the gym for work and social time – found joy interacting with others and lifted heavier – all because I chose it, not because I forced it.

63 days no vape.
Nails – best they’ve ever been.

Hit 103 kg after over-indulging over the festive break.
Down to ninety-eight this week – no crash diet, just easier healthier choices.

Decaf coffee most days – fewer crashes, better sleep.

The eight-week plan? Still paused.
I’ll hit play when March warms up, when I jump up and I’m ready to go harder.
Not because the calendar screams “push”.

Nicotine pouches? Still there. Four to six a day, 10 mg each.
I’ve got an app, and I track them. I wanted to be off by now – didn’t happen.

I came off sertraline three weeks ago – mood’s been steady, and I’ve got the tools when I dip. I need stability first, so I’m not cutting everything at once. I’m building. I accept that quitting it all isn’t going to happen just because it’s a New Year – it’s not “new year, new me”. I’m a work in progress. We’ll sort the rest in good time when I feel ready.

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions anymore.
Instead, I’ve got a misogi.
For those who don’t know – it’s Japanese for a once-a-year, go-all-in challenge. Something so big it scares you. Real chance you’ll fail. But if you pull it off? Everything changes.

“Mine?

Buy our dream family home, outright, no mortgage, by January 2027.
That’s it. “

Quiet wins. What’s yours?

Mike Johnson
Johnson’s Family Fitness

#BreakTheChains #newyear #misogichallenge #quietwins #mentalhealth