10 great outdoor resolutions for 2026 and how to really keep them

Every year, it's the same story: on January 1st, we promise ourselves to do more exercise, get outside more, and learn new skills. And every year, around February, it all evaporates. Why? Because we set vague resolutions ("go camping more"), overly ambitious ones ("become a bushcraft expert in 3 months"), and without a concrete plan. If you want, 2026 will be different. Here are 10 realistic, measurable, and achievable outdoor resolutions, along with the method to actually keep them.

Why your resolutions fail (and how to avoid it)

Three main reasons: objectives that are too vague, too ambitious, and lack an action plan. The solution? The SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives. Apply it to each resolution below.

Resolution 1: To organize 6 bivouac trips in 2025 (1 every 2 months)

One outing every two months, regardless of duration (minimum one night). Plan starting in January: block out a date in your calendar. Begin close to home (within an hour's drive), then gradually venture further afield. Alternate between solo, tandem, and group trips. Natural progression: January-March (beginner, nearby bivouac), April-June (intermediate), July-September (advanced, solo), October-December (mastery, all conditions).

Resolution 2: Mastering fire under all conditions

Objective: to light a fire with ferrocerium, even in damp weather, without chemical firelighters. Dedicate 30 minutes a month to practice. Learn how to find dry wood in the rain, how to prepare effective tinder (we've already written a short article about this! And even another one with several techniques ), and how to build your fire. Test it in real-world conditions during your camping trips. By June, you'll have mastered it.

Resolution 3: Get trained in outdoor first aid (PSC1 or BEPS before June)

Obtain your PSC1 certification in France or your BEPS certification in Belgium before June 30, 2025. Register starting in January (Red Cross, Civil Protection, approximately €60-80). In just a few hours, you will acquire invaluable skills that could help you save lives or get yourself out of a tight spot in an emergency.

Resolution 4: Learning to navigate without GPS

Learn to read a topographic map, use a compass, and navigate in the forest without a smartphone. Buy an IGN map of your region and a compass . Watch a few YouTube tutorials and practice on your outings: turn off your GPS and navigate the old-fashioned way. In three months, you'll be self-sufficient.

Resolution 5: Test 3 new bushcraft skills

Learn three practical skills from among: water filtration, shelter building and essential knots , knife carving, and identification of edible plants and mushrooms . One skill every three months. January-March: water filtration. April-June: essential knots. July-September: shelter building. October-December: plants and mushrooms. Progress through practice, not theory.

Resolution 6: Reduce your equipment by 20%

Lighten your pack by 20% without sacrificing safety. Weigh each item. Identify the unnecessary (gadgets, duplicates, "just in case" items). Gradually replace them with lighter or multifunctional gear. Goal: less than 12 kg for a 3-day trek. A tarp replaces a tent. A water bottle and filter replace 3 liters of water... and of course, replace items with gear you've learned to use ;-).

Resolution 7: Join an outdoor community

Participate in at least three group outings or bushcraft events in 2026. Join a forum, a local Facebook group, or a hiking club. Sign up for an introductory course, a trade show, or an organized outing. Community provides motivation, advice, and fellow adventurers.

Resolution 8: Document your outings

Keep a logbook (paper or digital) for each outing: date, location, weather, what went well, what didn't, lessons learned. Take 10 minutes after each campsite to make notes. This helps you improve and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Resolution 9: Offer a bushcraft initiation to a loved one

Share your skills by taking a friend or family member camping. Choose someone motivated. Plan a simple outing (one night, nearby, favorable conditions). Prepare them beforehand. Once there, demonstrate, explain, and let them do it. Sharing knowledge is learning twice over.

Resolution 10: Plan a "dream" expedition (3-5 days)

A major 3- to 5-day self-supported trip to an exceptional location (national park, mountains, remote forest). Choose your destination starting in January. Prepare throughout the year (physical training, equipment testing, skills assessment). Depart between June and September. This will be your 2025 summit, your ultimate goal that gives meaning to all your other resolutions!

How to keep these resolutions: the 3-step method

• Step 1: Write them down somewhere visible. Whiteboard, sticky note, phone wallpaper. Not in the back of your mind, but right in front of you.
• Step 2: Track your progress. Use a monthly tracker (paper, Excel, app). Check off each resolution you complete. Visual satisfaction boosts motivation.
• Step 3: Find an accountability partner. A friend who shares your goals, to whom you are accountable. It works.

2026, the year of controlled autonomy

You have 10 resolutions. You don't have to do them all. Choose 5, or even 3. The important thing is consistency, not perfection. By the end of 2026, you will have made progress. You will know how to light a fire in the rain, navigate without a GPS, and react in an emergency. You will have experienced 12 bivouacs, shared your passion, and completed a memorable expedition.

At WildTactic, we believe that self-reliance is built step by step. You don't need to be an expert overnight. Just move forward, steadily, methodically. 2025 is your year. Make it an adventure.