Oh look. There's another amazing picture smacking you in the face while you scroll the social feed. An adventure of a lifetime...rivers and lakes and peaks and canyons. There's talk of soul healing and heart pounding, smells of fresh rain and the trickle of water. I'd scroll by these posts too, and all I ever did was wish it were me. I'd see all of these amazing adventures other people were taking, but they weren't adventures I ever imagined going on myself. No way, not me. These people looked professional, like they've been doing it for a lifetime, probably since the day they were born. I can't do that.
But here's the thing. They all started somewhere. Nobody was born with a pair of hikers and a backpack full of gear. Trust me on this one. 😉😂
Sometimes that first step is the hardest one to take. I know from experience. Why is it so hard? The reasons are plentiful. Will it be worth it? Will I be fit enough to finish the adventure? For the love of all things holy, where do I even start? It's overwhelming at its best, debilitating at its worst. But it's absolutely doable, take it from me. And to help you take that first step, I'm going to tell you how I finally got away from screen and out into the open air.
1. Plan - "Don't let the fear of the unknown keep you from experiencing a life greater than you have ever known." - Jeff McClung
Google. It's your new best friend. I never realized just how much information there is out there, even for amateur outdoors men and women just like us. Nervous about a certain trail? Look it up! Check sites and blogs and pictures and ratings. There's literally not a single reason you can't find out everything you need to know! My all-time favorite site for trails right now is AllTrails. They even have an app you can download straight to your phone so it'll always be at your fingertips. The detail they use helps me decide if the trail is something I can take the 5 girls on, or if it's better suited for a solo ride. Check it out. You might even stumble upon a site you like even better! Also on your planning checklist, take a peek at the day's weather forecast. I love looking ahead and seeing what the weather will be like. Does it mean I'll change my plans if it's breezy or cloudy? Not necessarily. But knowing what to expect helps me envision what the trip will be like. So plan away, get to know where you're headed. It'll make the unknown so much less intimidating!
2. Grab some special gear - "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Rachel Hollis
No, I don't mean special gear as in para-cord bracelets or multi-functional pocket knives. Grab some fun gear that'll get you excited to get out. For me, that special gear was a new pair of athletic leggings. (Don't even start with me!) I was scrolling the feed (remember, watching others do what I could only dream of!) and there was an ad for a pair of leggings with a wicked cool color and pattern pairing. I ordered them, and not only did I order them, I told myself I'd wear them on my first hike so that the pictures would be fun (again, no smirking). I don't know why it felt so important, but getting that pair of leggings was everything to me. I wore them on my first hike, and after that, I made sure to wear cool patterned leggings for each one after (Have you seen the purple and black striped leggings in any of the pics? Yup, those were the first). So, find some gear that'll get you excited, and then, equip yourself and get out there!
3. Follow others who do what you want to do - "If you're not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."
Remember all of those social posts I've been talking about. What if i said that those posts that have been holding you back can actually help you move forward? All you have to do is just change the lens from which you're viewing them. This is one of the first things that helped me learn where to start. Once I knew I was ready to get out there, I started looking for those posts, and instead of scrolling by, I used the information to find out more. Where did the person go? Does it look like a place I'd like to experience? If the answer was yes, I'd reach out and contact the person, and I was surprised at the amount of people who actually loved sharing their knowledge with me. Another way to get connected? Find a group on Facebook and join them! I've been a part of a hiking group for a while now, and I can tell you without a doubt, at least half the stuff I learn comes from that group. What better way to find out about a possible adventure than by interacting with those who are actually living and breathing the same local air you are? Follow others. Get connected. Ask questions.
4. Start off small - "If you break it down into small steps, you can do anything." - Dave Ramsey
Let's face it. We're not climbing Mount Everest on our first go around. Heck, I'm never climbing it. I mean, have you googled the stories that come off that mountain side?! We all want to get our feet wet, but we need to dip the tips of our toes in first. Start planning something easy, where you won't need a ton of gear or an emergency whistle (😁). Test run a trail half-way and see if it's something you like. If you find out it's up your alley, great! Now you have more of a foundation to go off of when you're planning the next adventure. My first real hike was a short 2 miles out and back. It was enough to get me excited yet not overwhelm or exhaust me, and it had me aching for more. So start off slow! And then, see where the path leads.
5. Leave your expectations behind. "When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are instead of what you think they should be." - Mandy Hale
If there's one thing I'd stress to you, it'd be this. Don't pack a list of expectations, it'll only weigh you down. Keep an open mind and just experience the adventuring unfolding in real time. I always send my sister my location when we're out adventuring, and when I do, I always tell her this: I'm not sure what we're about to get in to, but I bet it'll be fun. And you know what? It never fails.
I hope something here was useful to you! There's nothing I want more than to see others enjoy that very beauty I've discovered right here in my own backyard!🤘🏼
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