While I'm not typically the type to set New Year's resolutions, I've found myself reflecting on the desire to do more in 2025. The last two years have flown by in a blur, and I recently took a step towards a more fulfilling year by purchasing the Big A** Calendar from Jesse Itzler's site. My goal is to get back to traveling as I did over the past decade. During a recent podcast (the host's name escapes me), I was inspired by a discussion about Tim Ferriss and his intriguing idea that the anticipation of an event can often be more rewarding than the event itself. They shared how he once planned five years' worth of vacations, highlighting that the joy of anticipation is one of the best parts of the experience.
With this concept in mind, I'm diligently working on filling my calendar. It's quite surprising to see that even with what many would consider a substantial number of planned trips, the calendar still appears relatively empty when faced with 365 blank spaces.
The Benefits of My Big A** Calendar
Yearly Planning: The large format provides a comprehensive view of the entire year, making it easier to plan ahead.
Visual Clarity: With ample space for each day, you can easily jot down important dates, trips, and events without feeling cramped.
Encourages Anticipation: By filling in your calendar with upcoming events, you can cultivate excitement and anticipation for the experiences to come.
Goal Tracking: The calendar serves as a visual reminder of your goals and aspirations, helping you stay focused throughout the year.
Inspiration for Spontaneity: While planning is essential, the large calendar also allows room for spontaneous adventures that may arise.
Overall, the Big A** Calendar is a valuable tool for anyone looking to make the most of their year, facilitating both planning and the joy of anticipation. However, I must admit that I actually hate planning trips. I prefer to just go with the flow. Still, I believe this tool serves a greater purpose in helping me organize and maximize my experiences.
Fast Forward
At the request of my girlfriend, I applied for the Havasupai Falls lottery, which offers the incredible opportunity to hike into the Grand Canyon and camp for 4 days and 3 nights. Initially, I didn’t think we would actually win the lottery, but I’m thrilled to say that we will be going this year!
It will be my second time back to the Grand Canyon since 2017, and I can't help but feel a sense of excitement as I anticipate revisiting this breathtaking natural wonder.
This will be my first hiking trip since my adventure in Patagonia last year, where I traveled to both Argentina and Chile. Although I don't particularly enjoy the physically demanding nature of hiking, I've been training since July in anticipation of my next hiking destination. I've been rucking daily with a 22.5lb weighted vest for a solid hour each day. My hope is that this preparation will make the experience more enjoyable, along with providing other health benefits, of course. I might be a bit dramatic, though, since I didn't even get a single blister while hiking in Patagonia! My hands were severely blistered from the sun/wind though. It was the one place I didn't manage to get sunscreen.
I do plan on posting some photos from the Patagonia hike in the future.
