I almost didn’t go hiking today because my friends weren’t available and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go by myself. I started talking myself out of hiking as soon as I learned they were unavailable. I told myself stories like it would be better if I got more work done instead and that I could catch up. I could just exercise in the garage. I could skip exercising all together. I could make other plans. I could yada yada yada. I was just looking for a way out, an excuse, to not go alone and time was wasting away. What should I do?
I decided to go, while I was talking on the phone with my sister and told her about my predicament. She was my little cheerleader, who got me over my irrational fear that I couldn’t/shouldn’t go alone. She gave me that little kick I needed and I got myself in the car while she was still on the phone with me. I was so happy that I did.
I enjoyed the cool breeze flowing through the shady areas and the moments in the hot sun. I loved the beautiful light shining through the gaps, hearing the sound of the water, and seeing all the little animals and kids out exploring nature too.
I actually loved the experience of being alone and seeing and hearing things from a different perspective. I was aware of all the people on the trail who were together. I was aware of all the sounds the animals make. I was aware of how fast I was moving and loved it. After I got to the top, I decided to run down the hill, which is something I never do. It made an old experience new again and it felt invigorating.
I love this tree and I know I’ve shared it before, but seeing this tree reminds me of my sister and the time we took pictures in front of it in tree pose together. This tree makes me smile and think of her and today I was thankful that she pushed me out the door, by myself to enjoy nature, alone.
What do you enjoy doing alone? What are you afraid of doing alone? Hmm…I’m curious.
nAMaste and sending healing vibes to my friends who couldn’t be with me today.
xo
here i am 
I do most of my hikes alone. It started because I hated being dependent on other people. Now I love, that I have a much better connection to my surroundings due to being alone.
I go on big travels alone (like Cuba, India, Sicily, …) because traveling alone is always a much stronger experience than being with someone you know and you refer to as your “home base”.
I fear the forest at night, but I know it’s irrational. I’m not frightened in the city though.
I kept worrying about getting hurt and I never worry about that when I’m with someone. I didn’t worry about getting lost because I was familiar with the trail. I don’t know if I’d be as adventurous on my own. I can see how one might enjoy the deeper awareness and connection being alone. Thanks for sharing.
so happy for you! I don’t think I’ve EVER come back from a hike in the Old Growth Forests and said “gee, I wish I had cleaned the garage instead”. NEVER! give your sister a hug for giving you this great experience. beautiful tree, you may have shared it before, but I hadn’t seen it – so THANK YOU from a new friend. hope you have more quiet time with nature ahead of you. honoring the spirit in you as well, 🙂 🙂 momentummikey
Always happier after getting outside!! Just feel like I need that little push to get there. Enjoy your day!
Beautiful…I feel peaceful just looking at the photos. You have a great sister. I would be inspired to get out and take my own walk, except we have snow :(. Guess I’ll hit the treadmill instead!
Thank you! I do have a great sister and I loved hiking once I got out the door. It’s that first step that’s always the challenging part. I think I’d be extremely challenged by the snow, as I would make every excuse to stay where it was warm. The snow is such a beautiful experience though and I love the peace and quiet and stillness it offers. Hope you get outside too and stay warm.
Hello Adriana, wonderful blog! I am just in the process of creating my own website with wordpress and wanted. Share one little addition that you might like for yours. When make a post àfter the title it says uncategorized. You can go into your wordpress back end go to posts and you will see Blog and under it uncategoized .click under theuncatorized and just chane the name to Blessings or Beautiful. Thoughts or what ever you like.save it and then on all your post it will say posted in (the new name you changed it to) it is just a nice little touch. Wishing you great journeying!
Kristy.
Love the process improvement suggestion. Thank you. I’ll try it. 🙂