The family is doing the 52 Hike Challenge

Remember that time I said I was going to make time for the things I really cared about this year? Well, I haven’t fallen off the resolutions wagon yet, so the family and I are taking on the #52hikechallenge. We’re right on track and feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. 

Has it been easy? Oh no, it has not. January has proven to be… challenging. We’ve been battling colds and the exhaustion that follows a hectic holiday season and readjustment to the normal school day. Tears have flowed, and not just the kids.

I mean. Look. I do my best to be chill but getting 14,000 mittens on two children can break a woman.

What is the 52 Hike Challenge?

The best I can tell it’s a really cute Instagram hashtag that gives you a convenient excuse to post all those hiking selfies. Kidding… Kind of…

From the 52 Hike Challenge website:

“52 HIKE CHALLENGE IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT EMPOWERING YOU TO TAKE A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO DISCOVER THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL BENEFITS GAINED THROUGH HIKING ONCE A WEEK FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.”

For us its all about holding ourselves accountable. We know we love to get out and hike with the girls, and we know the amazing effect that time in nature has on our family. But we also forget to prioritize that when life gets crazy. Publicly committing to tracking and sharing our 52 hikes motivates me to get up and get out, even when I don’t feel like it.

Also you get to post those selfies.

One Hike a Week

Getting out once a week might prove tricky, but we’re going to give it a shot. Jake’s work schedule is crazy, kids get sick, and life happens. BUT. We feel pretty confident that we can double up some weeks, and we will be hiking a ton during our Big Adventure 2019 – A 3 week road trip from Ohio to Acadia National Park. We’ll be visiting the White Mountains, the Finger Lakes, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Boston and a bunch of other stops along the way.

Getting outdoors, despite the challenges

The temper tantrums, illnesses, and weather have so far made this month a challenge. But I keep reminding myself that this is probably one of the most difficult times of the year to take the kids outside. It’s also one of the most important times of the year to take the kids outside.

I see so.so. so. many posts on the Facebook moms pages about things to do in winter with the kids, and it makes me sad that we hold this belief we can’t go outside when its cold. Our kids (and us) need to be outside, moving our bodies and soaking up the sunshine as much as possible. Committing to these hikes is a great way to ensure I don’t lose sight of how much that matters.

Yes, cold and wet weather means more layers, more mittens, and more frustration. It also means soaking in the silence of a fresh snowfall and the magic of trees dusted with snow.

As we move into February, the calendar is light and everyone has (hopefully) readjusted to a regular routine. The weather will eventually warm up, and before I know it I’ll be complaining about the heat and humidity. It will get easier. I have to keep reminding myself.

Show me those #52hikechallenge hastags!

There are so many opportunities to get out and enjoy your own hike – even if it’s just one! Seriously! You don’t need to go miles, maybe just like… one mile. Look for your local metro parks, state parks, or even a national park.

Because even if you only go one mile, you can still post the perfect selfie. And your kids will almost certainly go to bed early. Win – Win.

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