As I wrote my goals for 2021, I said that life will not look normal, yet goals and direction are more important than ever. These will be fluid, changing and there will be disappointments. 2022 Resolutions, I believe, will see more of a change towards normality especially as we head out of the Winter months. To that end I’ve kept goals I feel I can keep but I’ve still been cautious of the worldly access we will be able to have.
I’ve also taken my goals down from 26 to 10 with a further four pencilled in for either this year or the next. I believe this fluidity is now needed given the pressure on my own time, and the changing conditions of the world we currently live in.
If you want to look at my review of 2021, you can see that post here.
2022 Resolutions: Approximate Calendar
January – March: Walking from John o’Groats to Land’s End
March: Potential Ski Holiday if time allows
April: Cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats
May/June: Climb Denali
June – September: Festivals
October: Potential trip to climb the 214 Wainwrights
November: Potential trip to Climb Puncak Jaya
December: TBC
Getting back to Working Festivals is high on the list for 2022
2022 Resolutions
1. Hike JOGLE. As we start 2022, I’m midway through hiking from John o’Groats to Land’s End, having completed the first 680km to Edinburgh. Time is passing fast, as the light fading in winter only allows us to walk a fraction of the pace that Summer can bring. I’m allowing 3 more months to finish the endeavour as the first 2 months have been slow including numerous days off and a week off to change logistics. You can see more about the hike here.
2. Cycle LEJOG. After getting to Land’s End, I plan to rest and then do it all over again. This time in the opposite direction on a bike, and taking no longer than a month. I’m not a great cyclist and only have a slow bike, so I’m not expecting to be in the same league as some of the other cyclists that have made the journey.
3. Climb Denali. This hasn’t changed from 2020. Mount Denali is the highest peak on the North American continent. It sits at the top of Denali National Park in Alaska, at 6190 metres high. Originally due for May/June 2020, the expedition has now been cancelled for two years running. Fingers crossed it happens in 2022 and I can get to the top.
4. Work Festivals. I’ve been away from the circuit for years now due to a mixture of Covid and the paddle trip in 2021 so it’s time to get back to the grind. I love these Summer months, despite being fairly exhausting and at times stressful.
5. Write a Book. For years I’ve toyed with the idea of writing a book. In fact, I wrote two small ones of trips in the Everest region and Africa before. But now, I feel I have the experience for a “proper” book, and that’s all I’m saying on that for the moment.
6. Invest. I’ve always been a risk averse saver and never an investor. This year I’d like to play with the market and Bitcoin a little, and look for other opportunities out there.
7. Work on my Website. When I first started my website, it was a passion project but I always wanted it to grow into more and have a financial reward. Setting strict goals each year hasn’t helped, and I think have also damaged my desire to keep it going. They say goals have to be measured and specific but in 2022, I’m making them vague. I want to enjoy the process this year with the time I have, not worry about lack of time and progress.
8. Yoga. I want to get back into my yoga. Again, no specifics, no measurables, no pressure. The true measure of success will be felt inwardly. And that, kind of, is the whole point of yoga!
9. Fifty-Two Days of Alcohol. I drink too much and this year I want to take that right back. Once a week is more than enough.
10. Twenty-Six Days of Meat. I keep focusing on this goal to become meat free but heck, I love bacon and steaks. While the burgers and sausages are pretty good, the veggie wizz kids still have to get some things right. But after having meat just over once a week in 2021, it’s time to cut it down more to once every two weeks. It’s a stretch for me but I’m ready to try it.
In 2021 and 2022 Land's End to John o'Groats has played a big part in my resolutions.
Resolutions for 2022 / 2023
I’m putting these in this year as a 2 yearly resolution as it is time not effort that dictates I may not be able to fit them in this year.
1. Climb Elbrus. Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Europe and been on my resolutions for 2 years now. I have the traverse booked but the trips run June to August which is during festival season. I’ll see if I can make a trip, otherwise I will have to defer to 2023
2. Climb Puncak Jaya. Postponed for two years, this is a possibility in November should time and money hold up.
3. Complete 3 Peaks/3 Lakes. Again, time is tight to find space for this in the diary despite being a short challenge. The 3 Peaks are the highest points of England, Wales, and Scotland, usually hiked in 48hrs as a challenge and quite often for charity. Recently, kayakers have paddled the 3 Lakes, the longest lake in England, Wales and Scotland. I don’t think It has ever been done, but I have a crazy idea to do both in 48 hours.
4. Walk the 214 Wainwrights. I’d like to do these all in one go. I think a month is sufficient, but it looks like my only chance will be in October when the light and weather starts to fade. However, it’s a possibility for this year.
This was Aconcagua back in 2020 before the madness - This year I hope to summit Denali
Conclusion
I believe 2023 will be another great year, but I need to tether my expectations. I keep trying to fit too much into the year, especially with longer adventures at play.
For now the 10 resolutions above will form the core goals for me to chase over the coming 12 months.