2022 has come to an end, and with it comes the new year. A time where you set yourself goals you want to complete. The most common goals among people are go to the gym, to be healthier, become more organised and to travel more.
Every year I set myself goals to complete. Like many, for many years I set my goals too specific. Meaning it was easy for me to break those goals and that needed to change. So when it came to 2021, I decided to set a goal of simply making achievements by starting the Not Bucket List Journey as a way to create memories for the year to come. And what a year 2021 and then 2022 had become for me. Even to this day I look back and get emotional looking at the videos, blogs and photographs I’ve taken over the past two years. Just seeing the physical reminders of the steps I have taken in achieving goals, making memories and growing as a person, words honestly can’t describe how I feel. But having them there, having them as a reminder of what I’ve achieved really makes me feel proud. Proud for pushing through hard times and making something positive of them.
And that’s where 2023 comes to play. Two years ago I started the NBLJ as a one year goal, that lead into two. And now I want to take the journey into its third year and continue growing as a person. Though I set myself a rule of no specific goals when it comes to new years resolutions, this year I would like to set myself the goal of meeting and networking with people, and achieving 6 goals off my list.
So, what better way than for me to start the year by ticking off a goal on the first day watching the sunrise in the New Forest. And with that, myself and Jake got up an an unholy hour of 5am, at the end of a storm that had been hitting the UK. We both layered up, headed to the car in the pitch black and entered out destination into the sat nav. A little hidden area in the New Forest where there’s a small car park and a hill that leads up to a hiking track with outstanding views looking out across the stunning land of Hampshire and Dorset area.
As we pulled up to the car park, I was grateful that it was empty. It meant hopefully it would be quiet at the top for us to enjoy the sunrise without too many walkers about. The morning light was only just started to peak over the horizon, with it still being dark enough that we required to use the flashlights on our phones to safely see where we were going. I mean I knew of the general path, and on a good day in the daylight where you can see where you’re going it was still a tricky journey. And with it being so dark I knew I was going to be a challenge with my mobility ability that I would leave me feeling it for days but overall would be a rewarding experience.
With the flashlights of our phones turned on, we headed up the path towards the trail. Weaving through the bushes before heading up the hill taking careful steps with each groove in the ground. I have to admit that with each step we took, I was nervous of the potential for a wild horse to pop out at us. Surprisingly we didn’t experience any on our little trip and I’m not sure whether I’m glad or a bit gutted.
We reached the top with plenty time to spare, and light was only just trickling over the horizon. So what better way than to take a walk along the hiking trail, watching the gorgeous view as light began to trickle over it. Because trust me. It was one hell of a sight, even without a burst of colour. For a while we walked a bit across the top, enjoying the views all around. Taking many pictures and videos of the scenery around us. To top it off where we had a storm just days before, the hiking trail had puddles spotted about which made great for reflection photography. And after filling my camera reel with enough photos and videos to last a lifetime we headed back to the top of the hill where the best view laid ahead of us.
Standing at the top of the hill on New Years day morning was certainly an incredible experience. Colour began to fill the horizon lighting the sky and the greenery around us. Though we were on the edge of the forest, watching the views light up landscape was just breathtaking. For years I’ve dreamt of watching this very scene, not just in the new forest, but around the world. So what better fitting way than to kick off my year, watching an exceptionally beautiful sunrise illuminating the land in front of me, achieving the first goal of the year on the first day of the year.
And with taking in the views, I knew I’m going to seize this year. 2022 threw some curveballs at me that may have knocked me off course. But I knew as I stood at the top of the hill with the New Years Day morning breeze nipping at me, that I was going to take this year in my hands and make it a year to remember.
Another year to make more memories and achieve more goals.
To 2023.
Not Bucket List Journey 