Even if you hate nature.

When I was presented with the opportunity to go on a seven-day backpacking trip, my answer was a very firm “Hell no, I’d rather die..”

Little did I know that trip would change my life.

After three months of convincing, I committed to seven days in the mountains with thirteen of my best friends. This meant no running water, no phones, and no electricity. For someone who has only been camping once( I must note it was not real camping, it was glamping) I was so scared and thought I was going to actually die. The day we showed up to base camp and put on our packs for the first time, that I really knew this was not going to go well.

The first three days I couldn’t focus on how beautiful my surroundings were because I was so stressed about hiking and having to keep up with the group. It wasn’t until I realized how incredible the mountains were and actually took the time to look at where I was that I realized how unique these seven days were. It might have taken a breakdown, but I finally saw how beautiful the mountains were, how the river fit perfectly in between the mountains, and how under the stars snuggled up with my two best friends, I have never slept so well or felt so at home.

Being secluded from society and having the ability to be fully present in the company of the best people, is such a different experience that is so rare. Nowadays we have to make phone piles on the dinner table so people don’t scroll through social media while at dinner with their best friends. It’s so rare that we have no option but to sit down on the side of the river in crazy creeks and actually talk about how you are doing.

Forcing yourself to be vulnerable in nature both figuratively and literally is a life changing event. Sometimes it may include having a breakdown, but nature breaks you down then builds you up. The unique thing about backpacking, it's once it breaks you down and shows you how small you are in comparison to the stunning mountains, it has a funny way of building you up again. Summiting and seeing how far you have come in just a few short days, proves to you all the doubts you had about your ability to actually climb a mountain. If you can climb a mountain you can do anything.

So even if bugs scare you and you hate dirt, consider going out into the forest and getting lost.
Adventure is out there waiting for you, and with adventure truly living life is out there waiting for you too.