Missing and Reaching Goals

Two goals I’ve had the last few years have been to get outside (and make it to 1000 hours outside) and to read a significant number of books (this year it was 75). In the last few years, I’ve very successfully met my reading goals, often exceeding them. But getting outside has been a goal that has been harder to obtain for me.

I have always been an indoor kid who loves to read. Set me by the fire with a blanket and a book and I’m a happy camper. I could go without watching TV, especially if I have a book. In the last few years, I’ve also embraced audiobooks which allow me to listen while driving long distances or while doing chores. If I can’t sleep, a known issue for my insomniac life, I open a book instead of social media. So reaching that goal isn’t too difficult.

But getting outside, man, that’s another story. I like the inside world. I’m comfortable going days (yes, you read that correctly—days) without stepping outside. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the outdoors once I’m out there, it’s just that taking that first step outside is quite difficult for me.

Marrying an outdoor man has helped significantly. But if he’s at work, there’s no guarantee I’ll spend much time outside without him if the weather is extreme one way or the other. He pulls me out of my comfort zone and takes me to the Great Outdoors in the summers and even in the spring and fall for long periods of time.

And it’s not that I don’t recognize the benefits because I totally do. I personally see a difference in myself when I get outside. It helps a lot. I love being outside once I’m actually outside.

But like I said, it’s that first step.

This year, I actually spent less time outside the an in the previous few years, despite more camping trips. I could make all the excuses, but the reality is I was lazy about it for too many months.

I had some great months and some not so great months. Maybe there were good excuses but if I’m honest, the excuses weren’t even the best.

As badly as I would like to reach 1000 hours outside, I don’t really consider it a failure that we didn’t reach it. Quite frankly, if I wasn’t aiming for 1000 hours outside each year, I probably would not get even 500 hours. At least with this challenge, I’ve consistently gotten over 725 hours the last few years. So, even my failure is a win for my health.

But next year, I hope to be even more intentional. I would like to be able to celebrate reaching that goal come next December. I would like to be able to do something fun when we reach that goal.

So, I declare for the fourth year in a row, I am aiming for 1000 hours outside. I also am going to stretch myself with my reading goal and aim for 100 books next year.

And before we go, some memories from the last year of outdoor adventures.

And a record of my 2024 book achievements.