It’s the end of the year. The time to reflect on everything I did in 2018 and everything it did for me. I had lofty goals: I wanted to complete my 365 mile hiking challenge through Hike Like a Woman, I wanted to read 50 books, I wanted to learn to scuba dive. Did I achieve moving my body 365 self propelled miles this year, no. Did I read all 50 books, no. Did I learn to scuba dive, absolutely not. However, if I measure myself by what I didn’t accomplish I miss out on all of the amazing things I conquered.
This year I participated in the 365 Mile Challenge. I recorded my miles all year; I never gave up or gave in. I ended up clocking a self respectable 320 miles. 320 miles I hiked, ran, walked, AND kayaked. 320 hard earned miles. So what I didn’t hit 365, I went on more hike this year than in my entire life combined. I sparked a new passion for not only hiking, but for the outdoors and am planning my first backpacking trip for the Spring of 2019. I also got to progress this passion with one of my oldest friends who unbeknownst to me had dusted off her hiking shoes two states away and started really pursuing outdoor activities as well. Leading us on some amazing hikes when she visited through my next door National Park, Pinnacles. So I didn’t get all 365 miles, I gained so much more than a mile can count.
I challenged myself to read/listen to 50 books. I ended up with 42. First off, that means I READ 42 books this year. If that’s not an accomplishment I don’t know what is. I learned to turn off the TV, put my phone down, and tune out the world for 30, 40, 60 minute at a time and pick up something worth putting into my mind. I discovered new love for authors I never got around to reading before, like Steinbeck. In my challenge I also included a subdivision to read 10 nonfiction books, something I rarely ever picked up before. I blew that number out of the water, more than doubling it in size. I have a stack of books a mile wide that I’m itching to pick up and read in 2019.
I also did so many more things I couldn’t have even imagined to put down on paper. I learned to love deeply. I started a home with my boyfriend, who then surprised me completely by asking me to be his wife. We then turned our family of two into a family of three adopting our first pet, our adorable black 3 legged kitten named Gypsy. Which means I’ve turned “planning for my future,” into “planning for our future,” and we’re excited to begin planning.
I also gave myself a motto for the year as well as my goals. 2018’s motto was ‘Don’t Stand Still,’ and I definitely didn’t. I made new friends. I went to concerts. I went on road trips. I experienced life and I never said no to an opportunity. I prefer to measure my year in quality, not quantity. The quality of 2018 was one of the best and I’m looking forward to what 2019 has to offer.
Happy New Years to you all!
Roaming Brotherton 