Month: November 2025

5 Habits for 2026 you can start small now

Here’s the thing: habits do not form overnight; it is years of commitment and discipline. Some say it only takes 21 days for a habit to build, but I beg to differ.

Try it. Get a habit as simple as reading a page of a book per day for 21 days. Then, get distracted, for example, by going to the beach for a week. Prolly for some people they can keep doing what they’ve been doing for 21 days and successfully destroy a bad habit through a good one. But not me, and I bet you are too.

I had been doing Duolingo for 2 minutes every day for 90 days in 2023, and I stopped because of a month of traveling that brought me back to day 1 of Duolingo. Fast forward to now, and I am in my second year of doing 2 minutes of Duolingo every day (but I still struggle to converse straight in Spanish. LOL.).

What I can say is that, to some people, habits are built for more than 21 days, probably to some, less than that. But, if you are like me, who needs more time to get a new habit in your system, try starting now before we count down to 2026. Here are five simple habits that you can start small now and might be beneficial for you:

1. Reading a page of a book per day. This can enhance your vocabulary. Imagine if the book has 210 pages, it 7 days, you will finish a book instead of nothing in a year.

2. Walk outside for 10 minutes every day. You do not need to compete with your friend’s Strava, you only need to move your body a little each day, and your body will thank you. In a week, your walk totals to an hour!

3. Sleep and wake up at the same time of day. If you’re sleeping at 11pm and waking up at 8am, that is fine as long as you are consistent. You keep your 8-9 hours of sleep for a week!

4. Do not grab your phone 10 minutes after waking up. Use a traditional alarm clock to wake you up, then, brush your teeth, stretch, or whatever as long as it doesn’t involve touching your phone for 10 minutes. In a week, it is 70 minutes less of screen time!

5. Meditate for a minute. Focus on your breathing for a complete minute. Do not touch your phone and avoid any form of distractions during those 60 seconds. You just gained 7 minutes of focus in that week and about half an hour in a month!

Lower Antelope Canyon: Fall vs. Winter

Can you guess which one was taken in the Fall and in the Winter? These images were both RAW and taken at the same time of the day (noon) with clear skies, but in different months. One’s in October, the other’s in December. The answer is at the end of the post.

Planning a trip to Lower Antelope Canyon and wondering whether to go in fall or winter? So, I recently went to Lower Antelope Canyon last October, which was my second time. The first time was this year, in January, which was winter. Both were around noon visits. You will trek and climb steep stairs. Here’s a detailed comparison of visiting during each season—advantages, disadvantages, and key reminders to help you choose and prepare.

FeatureFallWinter
TemperatureModerate (cool mornings, warm afternoons)Cold (chilly days, potentially freezing nights)
Crowd LevelsLower than summer, but moderateVery low
Light / ColorWarm tones, good lighting, strong for photographySoft, diffused light, unique tones, fewer beams
Iconic Light BeamsLess frequent than summer, but possibleRare
Booking/Tour AvailabilityGood, but still fairly busyExcellent availability
Weather/Safety IssuesFew (just standard caution)Cold surfaces, weather variability, shorter day
Best ForBalanced experience: comfort + colorQuiet, contemplative visit, budget-friendly

My Recommendation

If I were to pick one season, because my priorities are peace & quiet, getting away from the crowds, and I don’t mind dressing for cold and sacrificing the iconic light-beams, then winter is my top choice.

However, if you’re not a fan of extreme cold, I’d lean towards fall for the balanced benefits: comfortable weather, beautiful lighting/colors, and fewer extreme conditions.

Final Checklist Before You Go

  • ✅ Reserve your guided tour in advance (Book through Dixies’ or Ken’s online)
  • ✅ Check timing: aim for late morning/midday for best light.
  • ✅ Wear appropriate shoes for ladders/uneven terrain.
  • ✅ Dress in layers; bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.
  • ✅ Bring water, snacks, a small daypack (check tour rules for bag size).
  • ✅ Check weather forecast & local conditions (road access, surface conditions).
  • ✅ Arrive early (recommended 15–30 minutes before tour).
  • ✅ Respect the land: stay with your guide, follow rules, carry out any trash.

Important note: NO VIDEOS ARE ALLOWED. Also, you can stop by the Horseshoe Bend, which is a 5-min drive from the canyon. Note the time changes as well if you’re coming from the Central Time Zone. For those who do not want to do a challenging trek and are scared of heights, I suggest you the Upper Antelope Canyon instead.

ANSWER: The image on the Left was taken last October, and the one on the Right was in December! The canyon was pretty in the eyes, but the lighting during the fall vs. winter made the difference.