The Gift that Keeps on Giving: New Year New You!
December 30, 2025
Wrapping up another trip around the sun means it’s time to flip the page on our old calendars, say goodbye to the notes and appointments, and get ready to color in a new picture. This time of year is ripe with reflections, assessments, and projections for days ahead. And sure, why not? At least once a year (more is better) it’s important to take time to consider what’s working in our lives and where we might like to do better.
Rather than provide a list of hard-to-do #newyearnewyou ideas, as we look downstream, we thought we’d keep it simple and encourage our readers to DO SOMETHING NEW! That’s all, just pick an activity you haven’t done before and immerse yourself in a new experience.
When we head into the unknown, we truly honor the “new year new me” vibe. Engaging with unfamiliar situations expands our awareness; we tap into dimensions of self hidden behind the day-to-day person who is busy getting things done. And besides being fun and engaging, fresh situations improve our wellbeing.
By doing something new, we create unique connections in our mind and boost our creative juice. By ejecting the autopilot we live more presently, engage in the moment, and expand our sense of time. The bottom line is that new experiences are a quick way to refresh our browsers and update our operating system.
What if the new you waiting to be unleashed this year is a boater? If you’ve never been on a rafting trip, this is the year to go. Holiday provides excellent staff, guides, and itineraries to support any exploration into the world of whitewater rafting.
And for folks already familiar with rafting, what about a new section of river? We all know and love those floaters who just can’t get enough of a certain stretch of western whitewater, but maybe it’s time to ask WWJWPD (What Would John Wesley Powell Do?) and take a voyage into the unknown.
If you already identify as a river rat, perhaps a new trip type is the way to crack the new year new you code. A biking adventure could be just the innovative approach you need. Holiday has a variety of human powered journeys to remote and beautiful places where, after moving your body through amazing places, vehicle support keeps the luxury level high.
For those who struggle with commitment, Holiday even has combo biking and rafting trips to deliver the best of all worlds. Win-win!
Been there done that? Experienced travelers who have run the rivers, peddled the paths and done the desert can still explore newness by signing up for a trip with a specific focus. If your 2026 to-do list includes writing more, flexing your artistic muscle or practicing meditation, Holiday has specialty trips to explore all of these (and other) crafts. These voyages are staffed with accomplished practitioners; working with a pro could be just what’s needed to get going on those new year’s resolutions.
And if none of this floats your boat, no stress; we’ll help you build your own perfect quest! Choose your own adventure, get your squad together and enjoy one of Holiday’s private trips. It’s a simple way to get a breath of fresh air while keeping things easy breezy with a new destination, a different type of travel or a get-to-know-you bunch of fun folks. Best of all, we do the heavy lifting while supporting you and the crew from start to finish.
When you’re ready to enjoy the benefit of doing something new, get in touch with Holiday and we’ll help you make it happen. Best of all, this won’t require rearranging your life, committing memberships, significant lifestyle changes, or other major edits. In fact, taking on this challenge and enjoying its benefits just requires going on vacation. Kicking a new year’s goal by going on a trip? Yes please!
Great options for first time rafters:
Westwater Canyon (2-3 days)
Age limit: 8 & up
Highlights:
– Unique billion year-old black rock
– Fun, splashy Class III whitewater
– Hiking to historical sites such as the Miner’s Cabin and Outlaw Cave
Gates of Lodore (4 days)
Age limit: 8 & up
Highlights:
– Idyllic campsites on sandy beaches
– Strikingly beautiful canyon walls, lush vegetation, and abundant wildlife
– Fun whitewater rapids every day of the trip
Desolation Canyon (5-6 days)
Age limit: 5 & up
Highlights:
– Fun yet gentle rapids (over 60 throughout the trip!)
– Incredible hiking to overlooks, archaeological sites, and meandering side canyons
– Abundant wildlife and sandy campsite dotted with large cottonwood trees
Eli Shostak is a Senior Lecturer of Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College. A former river guide, NOLS Course Leader, and sea kayaking instructor, he is a firm believer in the power of shared experiences in wild places. Eli is dedicated to using his expertise in mindfulness, leadership, and expedition planning to facilitate journeys for finding the personal and interpersonal benefits of exploring diverse landscapes. His favorite game to play on trips is called “Knuck Tats,” something you’ll have to ask him about.