Finding Solace in the Great Outdoors

I ran into someone from high school over the weekend & I was so shocked when I heard my name because.. I don’t really go places people from my hometown go anymore Starting from age 12 I struggled from everything from anorexia, compulsive exercise, drug & alcohol addiction, jail time, etc. When I came out on the other side at age 24, sober and with clarity, all I wanted to do was be outside. To hike, to snowboard, really just anything outside I was thinking back to how this happened? Why am I the only person I personally know from my hometown and out of my family that’s really into the outdoors, hiking, backpacking etc? When I was 14, my parents sent me to one of those wilderness programs where you backpack for weeks on end with minimal resources and mean counselors… yes one of *those* places. And I’ll tell you, after the first week of hell, I was THRIVING. I became self sufficient, a leader and in love with waking up every day outside. 10 years later when I finally got sober, I think I remembered that feeling, and I craved it again. The outdoors is so healing because I believe it’s where we belong as humans. It’s where we’re the most ourselves. It takes care of us (literally food, water, etc) and it challenges us. I’d love to hear why you love the outdoors so much and what it means to you 🩵 . . .