Hiking. A simple 6 letter word that basically means I'm going to die. Not literally but feel like death. Covered in sweat and dirt with aching muscles from not being used. This was the steepest hike I have yet to do and we didn't even go to the very top. We stopped part way up as my hiking partner was not feeling the best. I was absolutely fine with the decision. It was a gorgeous day to be in the mountains and exploring nature just not when you don't feel good.
A hard part for me was my backpack. As this was a much harder and steeper hike, I had to bring more water and snacks. Which entails a heavier bag. Carrying 3 water bottles, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen and all the layers of clothing I was taking off while climbing made a very heavy bag. I was told that it would be chilly at the top so to wear layers. But only maybe 10 minutes in I was already taking layers off. It did get a little chillier where we stopped but we didn't reach the snow line.
I have found that hiking brings me some peace. It's a few hours spent in nature, pushing my body to its limits, while letting my mind wander to all sorts of places that it doesn't get to go in my everyday life. It's sort of like meditating. But instead of sitting still I'm sweating my ass off. It's the best of both worlds. Getting to see what my body is capable and also my mind. I find the more it wanders the less I realise how far I have gone or how hard parts were. The more I focus on actually hiking the harder the hike becomes. I mean there are times when I have to focus on the hike like when I'm climbing over things or trying not to slide down a steep decline. It's all a balance, like so many things in life.
I feel so lucky to be living in a place that offers so many different opportunities to be in
I'm having to make some extremely difficult decisions in my life right and getting to get out in nature has helped me to figure some of them out. It has helped me to find what matters the most to me and how to make myself happy again. Pushing myself to my absolute limits has helped me to discover what I am capable of. I never thought I would be able to do some of the things I have. I have loved deeper than I ever thought I could and lost the person I never imagined losing. While at the same time finding that it's okay to walk away from that person, when you have done all that you can to work things out but it can't be one sided.
I have never been much for meditation but I am embracing it. It may not be in the conventional way but who says there is only one way to meditate. Meditation is a personal thing and I've found a way that works for me and that's what's most important.
Song of the Day: Lifeboat by Janet Devlin
