Dadvice Weekly #24/ #NewYearNewMe

Dadvice Weekly - #24

Every year I see the old #newyearnewme hashtag and it always takes me back. When I was in college is when I have my first memories of it. People would post it with a picture of themselves doing something bold or different, like flipping a switch just because the calendar rolled over. And honestly there’s something great about that instinct. A new year does make it feel easier to start fresh.

But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: starting is the easy part. Sticking with it? That’s where most of us stumble. One study even says 88% of people drop their resolutions within the first two weeks. Two weeks! That means almost all of us have already “messed up” by now.

One thing I have come to realize is life rarely goes according to plan. Whether it’s work, marriage, parenting, hobbies, or anything else worth doing. Somewhere along the way we picked up this idea that if something isn’t perfect, it isn’t worth the effort. But that’s not how growth works. That’s not how anything meaningful works.

So here’s my challenge to you as well as the reflection of myself I have been thinking about. Whatever your version of #newyearnewme is how is it going? At this point we’re 13 days in. Is what you are doing sustainable with your current lifestyle? If it is then keep going! If you’re like me, find what a sustainable version is. Adjust your goal, shrink it, “re-forecast” it. It doesn’t matter what you set out to do for the new year. What matters most is what you are actually able to do with the busyness of balancing your job, your family, your faith, your values, your friends.

To wrap this up - something I’m trying to find in 2026 is a sustainable workout routine. Since being a dad I have found it incredibly challenging to balance time with my family after work and making it a priority to do something every day for my physical and mental health. I did some research in December and found a lot of people in my situation have pick up doing kettlebell exercises at their house. I never thought of myself as a kettlebell guy but I’m testing it out this month to see if it meets my needs. I’m sure I’ll write more about it in the future but if anyone’s done this before let me know. I would love to learn more from you. -SW

Take a Short Walk Before Work

I’ve started taking a 20-minute walk before work.

I don’t know how much of this is backed by science, but here’s what I’ve noticed:

• I start the day feeling like I’ve already accomplished something.

• My mental health feels lighter.

• It’s sustainable.

Some days, I hop on the treadmill. Other days, I bundle up and take the dog outside, even when it’s cold. Sometimes I listen to a podcast, other times a devotional, and occasionally nothing at all.

I’ve always envied the cold plunge people who kick off their day with something extreme. But the reality is I’m not a cold plunge guy, and I don’t want to be. I like that I’m adopting a small habit that gets my day started and encourage you to try it too. -SW

Free Photo Background Remover

I need to remove backgrounds from images a lot these days. Remove.bg has become my go-to for this. You drop an image in, it strips the background in seconds, and you download the result. No account required, and the ads are barely noticeable. –KC

Shortcut to a Solid Old Fashioned

A few years ago, I hosted the guys from small group at our house and picked up a bottle of Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail (the pre-mixed version). At the time, I was just getting into bourbon and thought it would be a nice value add for the night.

I really liked it, and so did the other guys. Then I completely forgot about it… until this past weekend when I saw it at the liquor store. I bought it again and was nervous I wouldn’t like it anymore, but it still hits.

I see this pre-mixed bottle serving 2 primary purposes for anyone. It is definitely cheaper to make your own Old Fashioneds with all the ingredients. But if you’re hosting a party and don’t want to spend the night mixing drinks I think a couple bottles of this would be great. Also if you’re just feeling lazy one night this is a great option to have on hand because you literally just pour it over ice and you’ve got a solid old fashioned in your glass.

I’m not sure how popular or widespread this is, but I imagine most major liquor stores carry it. -SW

McDonalds Mobile App

I remember when I was in high school and college Subway had $5 footlongs. Chipotle was under $10 getting steak and guac in your bowl.

Long gone are those days.

The closest thing I’ve found to the old glory days of fast food is in the McDonald’s app. If you need something quick and don’t want to spend $10, this has been my go-to for the last couple of years. We have a McDonald’s five minutes from our house.

Here’s the play:

1. Go to the app → Order → McValue Menu → Meal Deals.
   For $6 you get a McDouble, small fries, 4 nuggets, and a small drink.

2. Then go to Rewards & Deals → App Exclusive Deals.
   In my area, I can also get a free medium fries with a $2 purchase.

That’s a ton of food for about $6.50 in a world where nothing is under $10. Don’t do this every day, but when you’re in a pinch and truly need “fast food,” this is a better alternative than most.

And yes, I recognize the irony of sharing this during the #NewYearNewMe issue. -SW

Just for Dad: Felco Pruning Shears

I lucked into a pair of Felco pruning shears at a garage sale last spring—already 10+ years old but clearly well-maintained—and they’ve completely changed my expectations for yard tools. Swiss-made, all metal, designed to be repaired instead of replaced when something wears out. Cutting branches with these is so much easier than with cheap, plastic-handled shears. The blade stays sharp (but can be sharpened), the grip doesn’t cramp your hand, and nothing wobbles or gives when you squeeze. New they’re around $70, which feels steep for pruning shears until you realize you’re buying your last pair. Mine are probably old enough to drive and still cut cleaner than anything new from Home Depot. Worth the upfront cost if you’re planning to stay put as a homeowner. –KC

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Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.

If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.