Why I Decided to Start a Blog (Against My Better Judgment)

Let me start by saying this: I don’t do social media. The idea of sharing my life with the world has always felt about as appealing as hiking uphill in wet socks. Yet, here I am, writing a blog. Why? Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out myself. But if you’re curious (or just here for the trainwreck), let me explain how I ended up punishing myself with this questionable life choice.

Step 1: Write it all down. Step 2: Question everything.

The Journey Needs a Witness

This whole “self-discovery” thing I’ve embarked on—complete with hiking, sweating, and trying to outrun my bad habits—feels like something worth documenting. Not because I think the world needs another middle-aged guy fumbling through life, but because I need to see it. I want to look back someday, either to laugh at the mess I made or to marvel at how far I’ve come. Or, let’s be honest, probably both.

Accountability: My Frenemy

Writing a blog means putting my journey out there for people to see, even if it’s just a handful of kind souls who accidentally stumble across my ramblings. And that’s terrifying. But it’s also motivating. If I say I’m going to hike 100 km or finally stop eating chips for breakfast, I have to at least try to follow through. Otherwise, I’m just a guy shouting into the void about goals I’ll never reach—and I can do that perfectly fine without a blog, thank you very much.

Therapy, but Cheaper

Let’s face it: life is messy, especially when you’re a 45-year-old guy trying to figure out what you’re passionate about while also battling a lifetime of bad habits. Writing about it feels like therapy, but without the awkward silences or hefty bill. Plus, I get to sprinkle in some self-deprecating humor, which is way more fun than crying into a couch pillow.

Sharing the Struggle

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that everyone is a bit of a mess in their own way. By sharing my journey—the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous—I’m hoping to connect with others who might be on their own path of self-improvement (or at least offer them a good laugh at my expense).

Why Not?

At the end of the day, starting a blog feels like one more way to step out of my comfort zone—a theme I’m reluctantly embracing these days. It’s scary, it’s vulnerable, and it’s probably going to be a little embarrassing. But if I’ve learned anything from hiking, it’s that the best views come after the hardest climbs. That said, I actually haven’t learned anything from hiking either—except maybe how to creatively curse at uphill trails and how much sweat one human body can produce.

So here I am, writing a blog about my journey, my struggles, and my awkward attempts at self-improvement. Will it be perfect? Absolutely not. Will it be honest, messy, and occasionally funny? You bet. And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll look back at this and think, “Wow, what a ride.” Or, more likely, “Wow, what was I thinking?” Either way, here’s to the adventure. Let’s see where it takes us.