Another year has whizzed by at bewildering speed but the question I'm asking myself is not, "How did that happen?" Rather, what I'm struggling to comprehend is why I'm surprised. Why on earth did I think this year would be any different to the last or the one before that or the one before that? At the end of every year I despair over how little I achieved and how I failed to do this, that and the other. What on earth did I do with my 52 weekends?
I made a resolution to lose weight in 2016 (doctor's orders), and I did, but it's hardly a completed challenge to look back on with pride. Dieting and a few miles on a rowing machine are not exactly CV material, particularly as I didn't actually need to lose that much weight. For the most part, only my scales noticed a difference. Looking back, I wish I had made a more exciting resolution; something to be quietly satisfied about. I dread the thought of reaching the end of 2017 with nothing to show for it. Disappointment in yourself can be the hardest to shake off: you can't make excuses because you know the truth. I say that I didn't do more because I was too busy with work and the kids but I know I didn't do more because I decided to stay wrapped up warm in bed followed by mooching around in my pyjamas until midday. I'll never stop treating myself to mornings like that, but I should probably avoid doing it so frequently. One of my regrets as I approach the end of 2016 is that I didn't spend enough time in the Great Outdoors. I live in Essex, a place with lots of pretty countryside; however it is also one of the flattest counties in the UK and it is really mountains and lakes that sing to me: places you feel you could get lost and have an adventure. If we are happy to drive a couple of hours out and back again, there are hills within striking distance but we rarely started our day early enough to make the journey worthwhile (see my earlier note about bed and pyjamas). Ironically, I do wake early - thanks to my 6 year old who likes to proclaim that "It's day time!" from about 6am. The problem is, I never actually get up at that time anymore - after several years of being sleep deprived, I'm tired and still catching up (or so I tell myself). I really should remind myself that on the days that we do all get up early for an outdoor adventure, I actually feel far less fatigued at the end of the day and any tiredness is of the satisfying type. So, to avoid regret and disappointment at the end of 2017, I am setting myself (and my family) a challenge. Here it is: in 2017, Simon, the kids and I will visit all 15 UK National Parks for hiking and other outdoor activities. I want to be a grown up on an adventure with my kids, not a chaperone for kiddy activites. I'm thinking proper wild camping, not den building with pre-prepared branches; hiking up mountains, not rolling down hills (although we might do some of that too). I'm not against kiddie-focussed adventures - they are a wonderful way to get children outdoors and having fun. It's just that I miss the things I did before I had kids and now that they are a little older, I want to start doing some of the 'proper' stuff again. This may not sound like much of a challenge. For me it is though, because we work full time, the kids have to go to school and we're not so fabulously wealthy that we can afford 15 holidays in a year. We want to do this whilst still meeting our other commitments and without breaking the bank. We will need to plan our activities meticulously to ensure we can fit everything in and we hope to make this a fun and memorable year. I hope you enjoy following our adventures.
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