Central Florida Explorer’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2026

As we begin a new year, I’m asking myself the same questions as many others. “Where have the last 12 months been?”

As we reflect on the past year and set our sights on 2026, I’m continuing the Central Florida Explorer’s annual tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions and focusing on my intentions for the coming months. For example, I want to limit my phone time, incorporate movement into my day, and visit more state parks.

Before we look to next year, let’s take a look at how well we accomplished our 2025 goals.

Looking back at 2025

The last 12 months have taught me not only the challenge of creating new habits, but also the feeling that comes from finding your groove and sticking with it, at least for a while.

I wasn’t sure how well I was accomplishing my goal of spending as much time outdoors as possible, so I did a quick tally. When I searched through my camera roll for the past year, I found that I spent about half of my days outside. This includes hiking, camping trips, outdoor concerts and festivals, biking, and spending time by the pool.

It was encouraging to see that, but I think we can be even better in 2026.

Some of my goals last year focused on health and wellness, including eating a balanced diet, exercising, taking care of my mental health, and fulfilling myself.

Last year I didn’t eat fast food. I didn’t eat Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, etc. There are exceptions for Wawa, Starbucks, and Chipotle, which I think rank slightly higher than other drive-thru fast food restaurants. I also cooked a lot of healthy meals at home.

I found a consistent training routine at some point, going to a bouldering gym once or twice a week, and filling in the gaps with home workouts in between. At some point over the past few months, I fell off the wagon a bit. The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

There were also extreme examples of progress, such as spending four days biking from coast to coast in Florida. After that trip, my quads and calves were completely sore. If only I could maintain those muscles.

I need to get better at journaling, meditating, and being intentional about my mental health. I’m happiest and feel most present when I’m outdoors, but practicing self-care at home also helps me feel grounded and content.

Cruises, epic bike rides, and more: A look back at the Central Florida Explorer in 2025

In my quest to discover off-the-beaten-path attractions and experiences, I wrote about goat yoga at Orlando’s Wildflower Farm, watching glow-in-the-dark fireflies at Blue Springs State Park, and swimming with manatees in Crystal River. I also covered the 2nd Annual Florida Man Games. These were great experiences, and I hope to continue discovering and sharing more of the Sunshine State’s hidden gems.

In the Environmental Stewardship category, I didn’t find any opportunities to participate in outdoor scavenging this year, but I did write a stormwater-related photography project and a story about how Florida’s manatees are threatened by proposed changes to federal Endangered Species Act enforcement. This year, I want to find new ways to focus on, write about, and care for Florida’s environment.

This is my New Year’s resolution for 2026.

1. Spend as much time as possible outdoors, even if you take small doses each day.

I’m reusing the first goal from last year’s list. This is my continued aspiration, no matter the year. I feel most peaceful and relaxed when I am in nature.

I love nothing more than going out to a campsite on the weekends with a bonfire and stargazing. When it’s hard to find that time, I hope to be able to supplement my time outdoors little by little. This includes biking, walking around, hiking, trail running, paddling, and even spending time in your backyard.

2. Go on at least one backpacking trip.

Somehow, 2025 has slipped through my fingers without me recording a single backpacking trip. There’s something thrilling about leaving a trailhead with everything you need to survive a few days in the woods and setting out on foot.

We don’t know when or where it will happen, but we do know that a backpacking trip will have to be somewhere on your calendar in 2026.

3. Limit your phone calls to less than 2 hours per day.

Almost everyone can relate to and truly be present in the modern struggle to “break up” using their mobile phones. My average screen time on my phone is around 3 hours, sometimes more.

We know we can’t fit the best things in life into a screen, so we want to keep it to less than two hours per day. Ideally, it would be even less. What helped me was Brick, a physical device that blocks distracting apps on my phone with just a tap.

4. Incorporate physical activity into your day at least 5 out of 7 days a week.

Last year, I made it my goal to establish an exercise routine and find a way to track my progress. I found my stride sometime in the middle of the year with a little home training and a trip to the bouldering gym.

As the fall got busier and I had more vacations, my progress stalled. Now I’m working again on staying in shape and starting small. It might look like doing a few push-ups when you get up from your desk or jogging around the block. It can be anything, but movement is important.

It always helps to have a timeline or goals to work toward. Having a big adventure on your calendar always stimulates your conditioning.

5. Find ways to be more present in the moment. Balance productivity and experience with rest and relaxation.

Another goal I missed last year was building a consistent routine using the Headspace meditation app or finding other ways to be more grounded and live in the moment.

It always feels good to stay busy and keep finding things to do, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to enjoy that time to the fullest. Instead of getting distracted or obsessed with the future, I want to remember to slow down, appreciate what’s around me, and reflect on what’s already happened.

6. Continue to discover Florida’s hidden gems: outdoor spaces, attractions, and good stories.

Since I started working for Sentinel in 2018 and donned the “Explorer” hat on my Sunshine State adventures, I’ve discovered and shared countless interesting sights, including hunting for Florida Skunk Apes in the Everglades, driving a tank, and Castle Solomon.

The work is never done. This year, we will continue to look for good stories to share and interesting places to visit. Not everyone can say their job is a walk in the park, but some days my mission is just that, and I’m so grateful for that.

7. Enjoy a massive adventure over several days and nights.

Since moving to Florida over seven years ago, I’ve enjoyed many weekend trips and day outs, and the past two years have also included some quality adventures. A kayaking trip on the St. Johns River in early 2024 started the trend, followed by a four-day backpacking trip on the Ocean to Lake hiking trail last November, and a coast-to-coast bike trip this year.

Every year, I aim to have at least one adventurous multi-day experience. My 2026 stuff might include paddling, but it’s too early to say exactly what will happen in the coming months.

8. Visit at least 10 new state parks.

I am a huge fan of Florida state parks and have visited nearly 60 of them during my travels. I also have a Florida State Park specialty license plate.

In 2026, I hope to add at least 10 new parks to my list. Eventually, he hopes to visit Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in South Florida, and Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island on the Gulf Coast near Tampa.

9. Shine a light on Florida’s environment and pay attention to its most pressing issues.

I don’t think it’s possible to find someone who loves the outdoors and doesn’t care about the environment. In my opinion, a passion for nature also comes with a sense of environmental stewardship and responsibility.

This is an area I am always looking to improve on. It’s hard to sit and read the headlines and feel helpless that there’s nothing we can do. That could take the form of writing a letter to your legislator, helping pick up trash, or spreading the word about Florida’s environment through your work.

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