Half way through the year and I’m still going strong! I wanted to write a journal entry today as I’ve been excelling at the New Years resolutions I wrote about in my very first journal entry on 1st January. I always take my resolutions somewhat seriously but I didn’t expect myself to still be writing 6 months later. So today, I want to write down some of my goals for the remainder of the year.
I’ve experienced many solo trips this year, starting with my solo test drive to the north east of England, a trip to Brussels, Copenhagen and Pisa and a tonne of visits the Scottish Highlands. This year I have bagged 16 Munros and I’ve made over 80 ‘adventure’ photo albums. I can’t describe how impressed I am with myself. I plan to continue as I’ve loved every moment of this.
Sometimes it’s important to take a step back and reflect on how far I’ve come and appreciate that. I have lots of goals and I want to write a little bit about them below.
Gym Life and Fitness: Rebuilding Rob
Starting the gym and getting fit was a New Year’s resolution for 2024 as I wanted to get a bit more active. I started a few days before Christmas in 2023. Although I just walked on the treadmill in the beginning. Every night I would travel to the water front and walk along the promenade, sometimes I couldn’t even walk 1km but I aimed to get my daily steps to at least 10,000.
Now, I go to the gym at least 3 times a week. Having worked hard and committed myself, I lost 20kg in 2024. 2025 has been more focused on the lifestyle change of keeping active and enjoying life. I have a PT that I see twice a week and follow his workout plan for weight loss/strength training. The first time I met my PT I had no idea what my goals were apart from “losing the dadbod”, but we have been able to define some fantastic and achievable goals that we will work towards.
I don’t think I would be at this stage if it wasn’t for my PT. I’d still probably be able to bag a munro or two… but I probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as much as I have. For me, fitness hasn’t just improved my life, it’s given me a new one. At this moment I am on a mini bulk but will return to weight loss shortly. My overall goal isn’t weight loss, it is to become a better more improved version of Rob.
My PT encourages me to be a fitter and healthier person. As my gym is very close to my work it’s the perfect opportunity to do my workout straight after work. One time when I was walking out of my office I had slight humorous guilt as I was stuffing a doughnut in my mouth (when I promised I was calorie counting and on a calorie deficit) and he walked past. Maybe he didn’t notice… I will continue to improve myself but sometimes mistakes happen.
Physical health and mental health work together. Focusing on the mind to muscle connection is a part of that. I’ve learned more about my physical body and realised I have muscles I never knew existed. I hope to improve on that kind of knowledge. Perhaps I will dabble in a bit of yoga or meditation at some point.
For now, I aim to remain consistent and break many more personal records at the gym and that will show with life outside of the gym.
Running: I’ll Race You
I never used to be a runner. That was, until my first park run in May 2024 with a time of just over 35 minutes. I casually mentioned to my friend Lyndsay that it might be fun going for a small run. Next thing I know I’m straight in at the deep end running a 5k.
To date, I’ve completed 31 Parkruns, with a personal best of 28 minutes and 31 seconds. I’ve managed to combine my newfound love for traveling abroad with running as I’ve completed 2 Parkruns in Italy and when planning my next trip I will be keeping that in mind for a Saturday morning trip.
I am genuinely excited to see where future Rob will be. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself but… I can see myself running a marathon.
Hiking: Munro Bagging
My first Munro last August was much like my first parkrun. I said to my sister I’d love to bag a Munro and that weekend we conquered Ben Lomond with my brother in law.
I could not have imagined then not even 12 months later I’d have bagged 20. Sometimes I genuinely surprise myself.
There has been some difficult times like the time I was knee deep in heather surrounded by big black slugs with absolutely no path in front of me. Or, being a stone’s throw away from my car with a river and a railway track between us, to almost freezing to death as my “waterproofs” had soaked through. There’s also the sunburn, the tick bite, midgie rash, broken phone screen, but you know what… I have absolutely zero regrets!
Photography: The World Through My Lens
I’ve always enjoyed taking photographs. From the odd snap of a sunset during the twilight hour, a lucky shot of wildlife, to some old castle ruins. My skill has improved over the years and my experimentation with ‘Alternative Earth’ edits with purple skies and red grass makes me excited.
I’d like to create some photo ‘albums’ to show my talent. An album of just animals, scenery, castles or crazy edits. One of my early ideas back in 2023 was to start selling postcards or magnets, maybe it’s time to look into that again.
I want to continue photographing in the style of ‘Rob Scotland’. I believe I have so much more potential and dedication to produce something the world will want to witness.
Future Writing: Unwritten Rob
I’ve really enjoyed writing about my adventures. I’m not sure who reads my journal entries but I can see from my analytics that I have readers from across Europe. I will continue to write, not just for my potential readers, but for myself. I absolutely love reading back on them myself.
I plan to write a little more about my previous adventures, too. ‘A 2024 Story – Rob Scotland’. 12 chapters with each chapter being its own month. I’d like to write some reflections too (much like what this journal entry is). I’m writing for myself but sharing it with the world. That in itself is quite terrifying but exciting at the same time.
I might even get back to the novel I finished the first draft for that I started 3 years ago. We’ll see.
Website: Rob Scotland
The RobScotland domain was bought at the start of 2023 because I wanted to take a few photos and put them online. I’ve noticed that some of my travel blog entries haven’t been posted. They are either sitting in my drafts folder or just haven’t displayed properly. Over the next few weeks I want to fix that and get my entire website looking as good as possible.
I implemented my ‘map’ feature on my homepage that I could probably organise a little bit. I’m not really sure how I will manage that as my coding skills aren’t the greatest.
I’d like to dedicate a few hours a week to improve my website. RobScotland has evolved into a personal portfolio of more than just photography.
My Own Company, My Own Pace
This year has been full of solo walks, random road trips, and last-minute messages like “fancy a wee hike?” I’ve found such a balance between enjoying my own company and laughing with friends about absolute nonsense in the middle of nowhere. Whether I’m exploring alone or dragging someone along for the adventure, I’ve genuinely loved sharing these moments or keeping them all to myself.
I’ve really come to enjoy my own company this year. Whether I’m hiking up a Munro, sitting at a loch with a sandwich, or wandering through a forest with no real plan, I feel at peace. There’s something powerful about doing things alone and still feeling completely content. I’ve noticed that I walk taller now, smile more, and carry this quiet confidence I never used to have. It’s not about proving anything to anyone else, it’s about knowing I can rely on myself, and actually enjoying that. I’ve done more this year than I ever thought possible… and it’s only halfway through.
Conclusion
Looking back, I barely recognise the person I was at the start of the year and I don’t want to go back.
I don’t think I’ve written any clear goals like I was planning to as this was meant to be a very short journal entry. So,
- Keep gym attendance at 3+ times per week
- Break 28 minutes in a Parkrun
- Reach 30 Munros by end of 2025
- Publish all draft blog posts
- Create and publish 4 themed photo albums
- Keep writing
LET’S GO!