By Matt Mittan
“It is what it is.”
I’ve caught myself saying that phrase more often as I’ve gotten older. At first, it sounded like wisdom—acceptance, maybe even maturity. But the other day it occurred to me that sometimes it’s really just a form of resignation, wearing nicer clothes.
And I’m not quite ready for that.
Like most of us, I’ve felt the changes that come with age. My body doesn’t always cooperate the way it used to. Over the past few years, I’ve also been reminded—through the loss of friends and loved ones—that time is not an unlimited resource. That realization has a way of sharpening your perspective.
Lately I’ve noticed something else. I run into a lot of men around my age, and a common theme shows up in our conversations. They talk about the things they always planned to do when they retired—travel, fishing trips, long hikes, exploring the outdoors. But somewhere along the way their bodies changed, or life got complicated, and now those plans feel out of reach.
That’s a sobering thought. As a military medic veteran and lifelong outdoorsman, I don’t think I ever really gave much thought to getting older. I was too busy feeling “invincible.” But Father Time lays down for no one.
This got me thinking about something I’ve started calling “mini-adventures.”
They aren’t epic expeditions or bucket-list journeys. They’re smaller, more realistic experiences we can work into the lives we actually have—between jobs, family responsibilities, and the thousand other obligations that fill our calendars. They can also adjust to our physical, financial, or time limitations.
A short hike on a local trail. An early morning paddle. An hour spent casting into a quiet stretch of water. Even just a drive to scout a lake you’ve never fished. Simple things, really. But I’ve discovered that even small outings can unlock something inside us. They get us moving. They clear our heads. Sometimes they even spark the kind of thinking and reflection that only seems to happen when you’re outside.
I often joke that “the recliner is a decliner.” It’s a catchy phrase, but the truth is that resisting that pull isn’t always easy. I fight it myself more often than I’d like to admit.
Still, I’m convinced that we don’t have to accept the narrow definition of what life is supposed to look like as we age. We still have the ability to create experiences that keep us engaged, curious, and connected to the outdoors.
So in the months ahead, I’ll share some of the mini-adventures I’m discovering along the way. And I’d love to hear about a few of yours too.
Because sometimes the smallest adventures are the ones that keep us truly alive. And sometimes they’re the ones that remind us we’re not done yet.
Matt Mittan is a long-time broadcaster, writer and Licensed Guide in North Carolina. Visit MattMittan.com to reach out to Matt.