The Modern Day Caveman

Day 22: Early Alarms, Big Drives, and Bigger Steps Forward

November 13, 2025

Day 22 was actually a really busy and out-of-the-ordinary day by all standards.

I’ve mentioned a few times previously about my girlfriend and I having a bit of a break from our relationship whilst my mental health improves. Well, after some long, deep chats recently, we’ve decided that this weekend I am going to move in with her for a bit of a trial period whilst we see how things go.

Whilst we’re going to be reunited in 3 days, I decided to be a little impulsive (and romantic, if I do say so myself) and go and surprise her today, as well as checking out where I’m going to be living for the foreseeable future.

I had a spare half-day remaining from my annual leave at work, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to use it and go and visit for the afternoon.

Because of this, however, it meant I had to climb ‘The Mountain Ahead’ before I started work, and believe me, I am not a morning person, so this was a challenge!

Nevertheless, I set my alarm for 6:30am and no less than an hour later I was at the summit and heading back to do my half-day at work. I actually found the run itself a bit of a struggle at this time of day. I’m not sure whether it was a combination of fatigue and running on an empty stomach, but I definitely didn’t feel as strong as previous attempts.

After finishing work and eating a quick lunch, I set off on the 2-hour journey from Chester to York.

Working remotely for my job means I rarely drive nowadays. In fact, I had to borrow my mum’s car for this particular journey, and the 2-hour drive really reminded me how tiring driving can be. I felt exhausted when I arrived!

It was definitely worth the journey, however, to see the look on my girlfriend’s face – but maybe even more so because of the reaction from our Border Collie, Chase.

The afternoon itself was lovely. We caught up on things from the past few weeks, did a bit of shopping, and I got used to my new surroundings. It got me excited for the weeks and months ahead, and I’m hopeful this new environment, combined with a positive mindset, can be the combination of ingredients that really push me in the right direction.

The drive back wasn’t too bad. I passed the time by listening to another Jay Shetty podcast – this time his discussion with Emma Watson. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, and there were a lot of points on creativity and love that really resonated with me. I’ve linked it below for reference.

Metrics

• Steps: 12,292
• Garmin Stress Score: 36
• Mental Health Rating: 7/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Supernoodles, crisps
• Dinner: Tofu and vegetable tikka masala, naan bread, pilau rice
• Snacks: Banana, Jammie Dodgers, tortilla chips, plant-based chocolate mousse

It was a tiring day, but a meaningful one. If the next chapter feels anything like today, then I think I’m moving in the right direction.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead’ on Day 22. Very different view compared to my night time visits.
Day 21: Lessons in Financial Literacy

November 12, 2025

Day 21 marked three weeks of my 365-day challenge, and suffice to say, I’m pleased with the progress so far.

There have been setbacks along the way – which is important to acknowledge – but overall, I’ve definitely made progress in taking control of my life, and my mental health has noticeably improved.

One thing I’ve taken great pleasure in lately has been listening to podcasts while out walking.

Today, I listened to a podcast on finances and financial literacy, which I found really thought-provoking. As someone with a fair chunk of debt from various poor financial decisions, the podcast really got me thinking about my relationship with money.

As children, we’re never taught in school how to manage money – something that I think should be mandatory for future generations. Instead of learning about taxes, investments, and savings, we’re taught things like algebra or Pythagoras’ theorem. Where is that useful in modern-day life?!

I’d definitely recommend checking out the podcast (linked below). It might just make you rethink your relationship with money and how you spend it.

Metrics

• Steps: 10,870
• Garmin Stress Score: 25
• Mental Health Rating: 7/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Avocado, poached eggs, toast
• Dinner: Orzo and feta tomato bake
• Snacks: Banana, kiwi, mini cheddars

Improving my relationship with money feels like another piece of the puzzle. Small steps like these are all part of taking back control.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 21.
Day 20: Discipline in Motion

November 11, 2025

Day 20 arrived and with it, a fresh week ahead.

After the regretful emotions of yesterday, I tried my best to put it behind and make this as positive a week as possible.

And truth be told, the day as a whole was fairly positive.

I had a productive day at work. My diet was definitely an improvement on the past few days, and I went for a run after work, which offered a nice bit of downtime to decompress.

The family time from the weekend continued as I dragged my mum up ‘The Mountain Ahead’ with me. It was a nice change to have someone running alongside me (other than my parents’ Border Collie, Mollie!).

Usually, I’ve been listening to music or podcasts when running but as we were running as a pair, I decided to ditch the headphones and take in nature’s sounds. Running in the early autumn evening, it felt very therapeutic to take in the hooting of the owls and the sound of footsteps pounding the path ahead.

I’ve really been enjoying my daily exercise outdoors, it’s definitely contributing to my mental health.

Throughout my 29 years, I’ve generally always taken the easy route – that’s why all of the fad diets and bursts of motivation have faltered in their early stages.

Discipline was something I’d never really had to face head-on, but this commitment I’ve made to myself to become the best version of myself is really pushing me and right now, I love it.

One of the positives to come from becoming more disciplined is how habitual things are starting to become. Finishing work at 5:30pm and putting my running shoes on has become second nature these past 3 weeks. I don’t really even have to give it a second thought, even when it’s been pouring with rain.

Granted, it’s still early days and it’s a lot easier to break a habit than build one, but right now exercising daily has been something I look forward to, rather than something I used to think of as a chore.

I’m seeing the benefits of exercising on the scales too! I’m down to 104kg as of today, a 0.4kg loss on last week. It’s not a huge loss, but given the food I’ve indulged in these past 10 days, I’m pleased I’m headed in the right direction.

Metrics

• Steps: 10,893
• Garmin Stress Score: 30
• Mental Health Rating: 8/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Pittas, houmous, mini cheddars
• Dinner: Plant-based sausage cassoulet, focaccia bread
• Snacks: Flapjack, banana, kiwi

Discipline doesn’t come naturally to me, but it’s slowly becoming part of who I am. Right now, that feels like real growth.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 20. Spot my mum’s headtorch on the left!
Day 19: Family Time and Facing the Truth

November 10, 2025

After a day spent with family yesterday, Day 19 was much the same.

The day started with a lovely cooked breakfast courtesy of my mum. She’s certainly been looking after me since I moved back home!

One of the many perks of living with parents!

The rest of the day consisted of a family walk, followed by a stop at the pub (that’s becoming too much of a regular occurrence!) before heading back home to watch some classic British TV: Only Fools and Horses.

I’ve really enjoyed spending quality time with my parents since moving back. Granted, it’s not always easy living under the same roof again, but I think spending time with your parents as an adult, when you’re a little more mature than in your teenage years, is seriously underrated.

As I mentioned yesterday, I did feel a little guilty about not being more productive on my Sunday, but I did manage to tick a few small things off.

One thing I think I should mention – if I’m being honest with myself and you, dear readers – is that I’ve had a bit of a wobble this past week with gambling.

If I’m being fully transparent, I ended up gambling away nearly all of my birthday money. It started as a bit of fun, a harmless flutter to pass the time, but before I knew it, it was gone – and with it came that familiar wave of regret I’d promised myself I was done feeling.

At the time, I justified it because it wasn’t money earned from work or sales on eBay, but the truth is, I just feel angry, frustrated, and filled with regret.

It’s a setback, and not one I’m proud of. But talking it through last night and having an honest conversation with myself actually felt like a pivotal moment, reminding me that recovery and growth aren’t linear.

Metrics

• Steps: 13,351
• Garmin Stress Score: 38
• Mental Health Rating: 5/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Poached eggs, avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast
• Lunch: Egg fried rice, halloumi, ‘dirty’ fries, spring roll
• Dinner: Noodles, Quorn ham roll
• Snacks: Sweets

It’s not easy admitting when you slip up, but I’m realising that honesty is the first step to getting back on track. I can’t change what’s happened, but I can control what I do next – and that’s exactly where my focus will be.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 19. Sundays are a lot more crowded!
Day 18: A Little Work, A Little Play

November 9, 2025

Day 18 marked a full week since my birthday, and honestly, it’s flown by!

Today was a Saturday and for the first few hours of the morning I was pretty productive.

I caught up on my journalling, walked to ‘The Mountain Ahead’ and even did a bit of overtime to get ahead on sales outreach for next week – something I don’t think I’ve ever done before on a Saturday morning!

The rest of the day was a bit of a chilled one, spending some quality time with my parents, watching football, drinking beer, and playing with remote control cars! If you’re wondering where I get my ‘big kid’ side from, my dad’s definitely to blame.

Racing RC cars with The Modern Day Caveman senior!

At weekends, I often feel guilty for not working on my side projects or being productive, but as time goes on, I’m learning to allow myself time to do things that are good for my mental health and soul, rather than constantly putting myself down.

Metrics

• Steps: 14,123
• Garmin Stress Score: 50
• Mental Health Rating: 7/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Plant-based sausage sandwich, orange juice
• Lunch: Quorn ham and salad roll, mini cheddars
• Dinner: Homemade pizza, garlic doughballs
• Snacks: Ice cream, popcorn, sweets

Today was a good blend of being productive while still having some fun and spending quality time with loved ones. Days like this are a reminder that balance is essential for good mental health.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 18.
Day 17: Back on Track (Mostly)

November 8, 2025

As the week’s gone on, my motivation’s definitely returned. Today was proof of that – I had a productive day at work, catching up on overdue tasks and sending out a ton of sales emails to hopefully set me up for a strong week ahead.

This motivation carried through to my run to ‘The Mountain Ahead’. I managed to smash my previous records and not only was today’s run the fastest I’d ever done, but it also included me running up the steep hill which I’ve previously had to walk up.

It’s nice to see that I’m physically improving each day (despite the stiff legs earlier in the week), and now I’m super motivated to go and beat my record again on my next run!

After my early evening run, I did go to the local brewery to meet my parents for a few beers – something of a Friday night tradition in our house.

I did feel a little guilty – I’d promised myself I wouldn’t drink this weekend, but peer pressure and weak willpower got the better of me.

After some thought, I am going to allow myself this weekend to get through my birthday food and drinks, but come Monday, my diet is getting a serious rocket up its backside!

One thing I’ve really noticed lately is just how much alcohol affects both my stress levels and sleep quality. As you can see below, my stress score was 35, with the majority of my high stress coming in the evening, when I was drinking. Comparatively, in the days prior, my stress score has been between 22-27.

I think I definitely need to spend some time apart from drinking to see how my health improves.

Metrics

• Steps: 11,790
• Garmin Stress Score: 35
• Mental Health Rating: 7/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk, orange juice
• Lunch: Scrambled eggs, sourdough toast
• Dinner: Plant-based chicken fajitas, nachos
• Snacks: Banana, apple, chocolate, sweets, popcorn

The more I pay attention, the more I see how much the small choices add up. It’s not about perfection right now – just awareness and consistency.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 17.
Day 16: Manifesting the Next Step

November 7, 2025

After the fitness struggles of the previous few days, Day 16 was back to normality and my walk to ‘The Mountain Ahead’ felt a breeze with a renewed sense of purpose.

On my walk to the summit and back, I listened to a few podcasts – the most interesting one focused on manifestation.

I’ve always been good at manifesting and visualising my goals, but the struggle has been in actually setting achievable steps to accomplish them. The podcast, combined with my renewed mindset, actually gave me a little bit more clarity on how to go about achieving these things.

I’ve linked the podcast below – definitely check it out if you get the chance!

It’s given me a lot of food for thought and today I managed to tick off a few things I’d been meaning to do off the back of it. It’s got me thinking about spending some time writing down my goals and the actions I can take to move towards them.

The last few days, I’ve felt a little unmotivated in terms of pushing forward against my debt, fitness and mental health, so I definitely think spending some time really thinking about why and what this is all for will be a big help.

Metrics

• Steps: 10,612
• Garmin Stress Score: 27
• Mental Health Rating: 7/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Pittas, hummus
• Dinner: Lentil bolognese, garlic bread
• Snacks: Banana, apple, chocolate, kiwi, chocolate chip cookie

I might not have all the answers yet, but today gave me something just as valuable – direction. Now it’s time to start turning those visions into steps forward.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 16.
Day 15: Light After the Struggle

November 6, 2025

After pushing through the pain of my blisters and stiff legs yesterday, I thought today might be a little easier. I was wrong. Very wrong.

All throughout the day I’d felt fine, my blisters had gone down a little and I felt raring to go.

I’d planned to run to ‘The Mountain Ahead’ and the first kilometre I felt fine, but then suddenly my legs locked up and I literally felt like they’d turned to stone.

It was that bad that I had to turn my run into a walk. Despite this, I made it to the top and I’m glad that I did, because the view at the top was fantastic.

Today was the 5th of November, Bonfire Night here in the UK, and as I reached the top, fireworks were lighting up the sky in the distance. It was a small but perfect reminder that even after the toughest days, there’s still beauty to be found if you look for it.

Other than my painful run turned walk, there wasn’t a whole lot to report today. I feel I’ve definitely lost a little bit of the momentum I’ve had in the past 2 weeks, but I’m still exercising, journaling, practicing self-awareness and focusing on bettering my mental health, and that’s what matters most.

Metrics

• Steps: 10,931
• Garmin Stress Score: 24
• Mental Health Rating: 6/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Pittas, hummus, mini cheddars
• Dinner: Bean enchiladas, chips
• Snacks: Strawberry jam on toast, birthday cake, bread, apple, chocolate

Some days you run, some days you walk – but as long as you keep showing up, you’re still moving forward.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 15. Unfortunately I couldn’t capture the fireworks going off in the background!
Day 14: The Hard Days Count Too

November 5, 2025

After a long and frankly emotional weekend, normal service was resumed with me being back to work.

I’ve always struggled returning to work after any prolonged period of time, and this was true today, despite only taking one extra day off.

It really knocked me out of my rhythm and I felt very unproductive throughout the day. When I feel unproductive and procrastinate, it can really impact my mental health. Thankfully, today I managed to control this and stayed aware of a potential spiral.

Developing tools and techniques over the weeks and months to come is going to be important for maintaining a positive mindset.

My diet definitely took a bit of a nosedive over the weekend, and that ate (pardon the pun!) into today too. Granted there’s still cake and chocolates to be eaten from my birthday, but today was a particularly naughty day, eating a French baguette pizza in the evening, undoing the good work of a deliciously healthy poke bowl earlier!

I am obsessed with poke bowls at the moment!

But diet-wise, I’m not being overly critical in these early stages. I knew there would be a lot of temptation with my birthday and dining out. It’s definitely something I want to improve in the future, but for now, my main focus is on controlling my mental health and exercising daily.

Speaking of which, today’s walk to ‘The Mountain Ahead’ was actually a real struggle. The blisters from my active weekend, combined with some intense shin splints made my walk feel twice as hard as previously.

I was wishfully thinking I could do over 80,000 steps in the past three days and come away scot-free – but unfortunately that was not the case today!

Nevertheless, I made it there and back, in the pouring rain I may add, and it felt good to have done it despite what was, a challenging day.

Metrics

• Steps: 9,919
• Garmin Stress Score: 22
• Mental Health Rating: 6/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk
• Lunch: Pittas, hummus, mini cheddars
• Dinner: Mexican poke bowl (spicy rice, avocado, edamame, black beans, halloumi)
• Snacks: Strawberry jam on toast, birthday cake, French baguette pizza, apple

A tough day, but one that showed me how far I’ve come. Where I might have crumbled before, today I kept moving forward – and that’s progress in itself.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 14.
Day 13: The Power of Love

November 4, 2025

Day 13 of my 365 challenge arrived and, coincidentally, it marked my 13^th anniversary with my girlfriend.

As mentioned a few days ago, the past few weeks we’ve been on a ‘break’, giving each other space to process everything that’s happened over the past 2 years and I spend some time focusing on self-improvement and my mental health.

After the lovely, reflective day we had on my birthday, I was really looking forward to spending some more time together and reconnecting.

What I didn’t quite expect was just how emotional I’d be.

We’d planned to go to the zoo, before going for a little bit of shopping and then out for dinner. Well, before we’d even got out the car at the zoo, we were both emotional wrecks, crying and discussing our emotions. We literally sat and chatted for about an hour in the car park before composing ourselves and heading in to make the most of the day.

Once we did, the rest of the day felt incredibly grounding. We reminisced about how much we’ve been through together over the past 13 years: finishing school, starting our careers, buying and selling a house, getting our dog, travelling, and navigating some really hard times. It’s a lot for anyone to go through, let alone as a couple.

Rhinos have to be the coolest looking animals of all!

We talked for hours, and it honestly felt like we could have carried on all night. Looking back, I still can’t quite put into words what it feels like to be loved so unconditionally. After everything I’ve put her through – the mental health struggles, the addiction, the mistakes – she still finds it in her heart to love me.

I know I’ve taken that for granted before, but today really reminded me how lucky I am to have that kind of love in my life.

Metrics

• Steps: 23,198
• Garmin Stress Score: 42
• Mental Health Rating: 5/10
• Remaining Debt: £39,781.83 (-£303.50 down on yesterday)

Food Log

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, orange juice
• Lunch: Quorn chicken & stuffing sandwich, crisps
• Dinner: Margherita pizza, garlic bread
• Snacks: Caramel Frappuccino

It was tough seeing her and knowing it’ll be a while before we see each other again, but today reminded me how strong our bond really is. We’ve been through a lot, and even with the space between us, there’s still love and respect there. That means more to me now than it ever has.

The view from ‘The Mountain Ahead‘ on Day 13.