This blog post is part of a series of posts reflecting on 2023 and inviting us all to consider the story God continues to write in our lives each day. See all the posts in this series here.
500 Hours!
I did it. One of my goals for 2023 was to spend at least 500 hours outside and I hit that goal last weekend. That’s 30,000 minutes which breaks down to a little over an hour and 20 minutes each day. That’s easy to hit in the middle of the summer, but when it’s cold and snowy, not so much (at least for me). I love being outside. I don’t love being cold. This goal has helped me learn to enjoy being outside in new seasons and contexts.
What I learned most though this goal though is that perhaps some of the best goals are related to things you love or strengths. So often we default to making goals about areas for growth or improvement. This year I tried to make many of my “2023 Bucket List” items related to things I already love that I wanted to invest in. Things like spending more time with friends and inviting people over, reading, writing, music, and of course, spending more time outside.
This goal, and others like it, helped me prioritize what brings me health and life and joy. I said yes to opportunities I may not have otherwise tried. I spent more time around my fire pit outside. I kayaked down the Platte River and climbed a mountain in Colorado. I went on more walks around my neighborhood and explored new parks around the state. I had picnics and took naps outside and got off my phone more.
On the day I reached this goal I went on a walk even though it was cold and windy, something I likely would have never done without this goal.
Crazy enough, I actually enjoyed it all bundled up in my coat, hat, and gloves. 🙂
As you consider any goals you might have for 2024, it’s probably good to have a few that help you grow and improve, but don’t forget to also have some that motivate you to do the things you already love!
A few highlights from my outdoor moments:
bekahfreed.com 