Managing Fear in the Great Outdoors

How do you manage your fears in the outdoors or otherwise? Backpacking again this weekend has me feeling some kind of way 🙇🏼‍♀️ To be perfectly honest, I’m oscillating between excitement, fear and dread. But I’ve heard it’s the most beautiful backpacking trip some have ever been on I have a million excuses, some valid some not so much, but I know my biggest barrier is the fear of not being in control. This isn’t an organized event & there are no additional exit points. Just me, my friends and Mother Nature for 3 long days in the backcountry 🙃 My fear comes down to not really being able to control anything except myself (which is like, always the case so this is a metaphor?) But, I still want to experience this potentially once in a lifetime opportunity with some of the people I love most. So.. This is how I manage my fear in the outdoors: 1. Prepare- printed & downloaded maps, packed for all weather, SOS device, extra food & water and a medical kit are all necessary for me to feel safe 2. People - I’m going with people I know and love and trust completely. I know in any situation we would all help each other out any way we could. Go with people who you trust 3. Self soothing - I’m not ignoring the fear, I’m feeling it. Not forcing myself into doing anything I’m uncomfortable with, but treating myself as I would someone else who was afraid. With gentleness, compassion and understanding. At the end of the day, I’m not going to force it if the fear is overwhelming. But I will encourage myself to face my fears if I feel safe enough What would you add to this list? 📸: portraits by @dashaslens . . .