Central Florida Explorer’s New Year’s resolutions
As the new year begins, I’m taking time to reflect on all the things I accomplished in the last 12 months and the things I’d like to do differently in the future.
Along with countless others worldwide, I’m setting my New Year’s resolutions to recalibrate my goals as we usher in 2024. For example, I keep a decently active lifestyle, but I could keep up a more consistent exercise routine (couldn’t we all?).
But before looking ahead at what’s to come, let’s see how well I accomplished my 2023 goals.
2023 in hindsight
In reviewing the goals I set for myself this time last year, it seems like I hit the mark on some but fell short on others.
I hoped to find ways to reduce my environmental footprint, which I did in small ways — through an attempt at composting, which lasted several months, and starting to pick up “surprise bags” from Too Good To Go (which I would highly recommend in the name of averting food waste). I also pitched in for trash cleanups with Central Florida Recon.
I aimed to prioritize my mental and physical well-being in 2023. While I experienced some rough patches, I did find ways to take care of myself on solo trips where I reconnected with nature. I also went to the bouldering gym more in the last few months and even tried a few yoga classes.
My mountain bike didn’t get as much love in 2023 as I had hoped, but that goal can carry over as we welcome 2024. Another goal of mine was to embark on more paddle camping adventures. I managed one night at Otter Camp on Rock Springs Run, which was lovely, but I’m hoping to enjoy more paddling overnights soon.
My final goal of 2023 was to “embrace the unexpected,” which I did countless times, mostly by just saying “yes.” Whether it was a fun outing in town or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, I squeezed in as many activities as I could into the last year.
Here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2024.
1. Embark on more multiday adventures.
While I’m all for “car camping” weekends where we pack everything but the kitchen sink and drive up to the site, part of me prefers stuffing the essentials into a backpack or a kayak. It’s nice to minimize excess gear and simplify life for a few days.
In 2024, I would like to find more ways to explore for multiple days where my only concerns are where I’ll get water, when we’re eating and where we’ll set up camp.
2. Make a habit of exercising regularly.
As much as I aim to be more consistent, at least when it comes to keeping up good habits, this one seems to escape me.
November proved to be a promising month as I got back to the YMCA, joined a bouldering gym and explored yoga classes.
But December threw off my winning streak as I traded exercise for holiday parties and beer. That’s all the more reason to be intentional about staying physically fit in 2024, which will make my outdoor activities even more enjoyable.
3. Continue finding opportunities for environmental stewardship.
It’s easy to look around and feel a sense of helplessness when considering the threats to Florida’s lands and waters. Development is encroaching upon wild Florida, and trash pollutes our beaches and waterways.
Rather than feeling stuck in despair, I want to keep finding ways to reduce my impact and give back to my home state. I think trash cleanups are just the beginning (and I’m open to suggestions).
4. Spend more time in nature.
While this might seem like a silly goal coming from the Central Florida Explorer, I am always craving more weekend hikes, paddles or bike rides. Even though I know my soul longs for such excursions, sometimes it seems there’s no room on the schedule.
If I wanted to attach a number to this goal, I could say I’d like to travel 1,000 miles in 2024 by self-powered means, whether that’s hiking, cycling or paddling. It might sound ambitious, but this would help me stay motivated to seek outdoor outings.
5. Leave gaps in my schedule for unstructured free time.
Even as I set new intentions for ways I want to spend my time more constructively in 2024, I am hoping I can resist the urge to be overscheduled. I have too many hobbies I enjoy doing and people I like seeing to have much unstructured free time. But sometimes, doing nothing is just what the doctor ordered (and I think my cats would appreciate the extra attention).
Hopefully this year I can find lazy mornings for sleeping in and reading, taking a stroll or sitting on the porch and drinking coffee. Or maybe it’s just time with nothing in particular to do at all.
Rest assured, I don’t know how to stay still for long. Adventure is out there.