Patrick Connolly: Central Florida Explorer’s New Year’s resolutions for 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. — With the new year underway, I’m taking time to reflect on all the things I accomplished in the last 12 months and the things I’d like to do differently in the future.

Along with countless others worldwide, I’m setting my New Year’s resolutions to recalibrate my goals as we usher in 2024. For example, I keep a decently active lifestyle, but I could keep up a more consistent exercise routine (couldn’t we all?).

But before looking ahead at what’s to come, let’s see how well I accomplished my 2023 goals.

2023 in hindsight

In reviewing the goals I set for myself this time last year, it seems like I hit the mark on some but fell short on others.

I hoped to find ways to reduce my environmental footprint, which I did in small ways — through an attempt at composting, which lasted several months, and starting to pick up “surprise bags” from Too Good To Go (which I would highly recommend in the name of averting food waste). I also pitched in for trash cleanups with Central Florida Recon.

I aimed to prioritize my mental and physical well-being in 2023. While I experienced some rough patches, I did find ways to take care of myself on solo trips where I reconnected with nature. I also went to the bouldering gym more in the last few months and even tried a few yoga classes.

My mountain bike didn’t get as much love in 2023 as I had hoped, but that goal can carry over as we welcome 2024. Another goal of mine was to embark on more paddle camping adventures. I managed one night at Otter Camp on Rock Springs Run, which was lovely, but I’m hoping to enjoy more paddling overnights soon.

My final goal of 2023 was to “embrace the unexpected,” which I did countless times, mostly by just saying “yes.” Whether it was a fun outing in town or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, I...