Photo: Spring in Cambria, CA.
Breathe. Love yourself. Be mindful. Do one thing every day that scares you. Find your happiness. These are the things that self-help books, yoga mats, gurus, and even athletic clothing lines are telling women to do every day. Why do we need to be reminded to do these things? Shouldn’t we be born knowing how to: love ourselves, breathe, and be able to identify the present moment we are experiencing even if it just consists of staring at another YouTube video?
Yes. And I do think we are born knowing how to do all of those things, but that intuitive knowledge leaves us at some point. I can’t imagine why…I mean, on a daily basis, we receive all kinds of messages about expectations from society that women need to look a certain way, be successful, and raise families. Or depending on the country – have no freedom, education, or ability to choose who to love.
Most of us sit behind our desks at work fantasizing about these lives we could have if only we had more time, money, motivation, and courage. Why can’t we be happy in that moment? Lots of people I know are searching…searching for that ONE thing that will make them happy. Love. A better job. A different life.
I know these people. I am one of them. If only I hadn’t taken out six figures of higher education debt, I would totally be a living the life of my dreams right now. Well… no that’s a lie. I would probably be sitting behind a desk somewhere wondering why I wasn’t living the life I’m living now because that is the way it goes. Some people travel to different countries to find happiness in an eat pray love-y way. I’m more of a travel a reasonable distance from my house to someplace pretty to see something new to find that moment of presence/mindfulness/happiness.
I’ve long been a proponent of being outside to remember what we are inherently born knowing how to do. When you’re climbing a rock you have to remember to breathe. When you step a foot on the trail you have to look around you in wonder, and be present. When you get to the top of the mountain, or you ski down that hill you hit that sweet spot beyond your comfort zone where life really happens. It’s in those moments where life breathes into you and says: you can keep going. I truly believe that nature reconnects us with those messages that get lost in the fray. I have absolute zero statistical data to back this up because I went to law school and hate math that doesn’t involve money.
The truth is that no one is happy 24/7. We all have to endure things we don’t enjoy – dishes, cleaning, work, and oil changes. You have a million things stopping you, but one reason to do it. You. It is time to reconnect. There is a reason why all these self-help books, yoga mats, and gurus charge you money and you eat it up. That shit works. The best part is you don’t have to be a crazy rugged athlete to go do a simple walk in the woods or by a beach. Plus, its free!
I live for my weekend adventures and it’s the first day of spring so start planning your escapes ladies. I’ll share a few of my own:
- Climb my first Colorado 14’er
- Visit Moab
- Go on a rafting trip
What’s yours?
The Outdoorsy Lady 