A Weekend Under the Stars Fixed Me
Two weeks ago, I planned on going backpacking for the first time this year.
I neglected going as much last summer for a number of reasons, and kinda regret it.
I mapped out my summer to get the most adventures in, I bought a new tent and an air mattress to fit it, as well as new to me sleeping bag so my bag is a few pounds lighter and less bulky.
I scoured trails to find the right one to do early season, and I think I landed on one (so many amazing options, so little time)
Then, the week came I was going to go and I felt completely off. Everything on the left side of my body hurt.
There was a weird pain near my ankle, my left calf felt like I pulled it when I hadn’t recently done anything strenuous, my hip felt off, there was a crink in my neck, and my elbow is sore from the way I’ve been sleeping on it.
I didn’t think it was a great idea to hit the trail with a 30+ pound pack and hike to a spot.
So, I changed plans and decided to hit a campground I’d been eyeing. I don’t care for campgrounds that much because of generators, loud people, and honestly, being a single chick. I prefer the solitude and I LOVE love love the quiet. No beeps, loud engines, and noise. Just the breeze, the birds, the rustling of leaves, and maybe the occasional plane if I’m under a flight pattern.
I had a pretty isolated camp spot in the shadow of a magnificent mountain on a lake with a clear skies on a hot weekend.
I set up my tent, made myself a good dinner, and then took my camp chair down by the lake and watched the sun set, the golden hour set in, and the stars, oh the stars, come out.
I can’t believe I took this picture!
I slept so hard in my tent with my pup, Camp dog, snuggled up to me, I woke up the first morning, and every single pain had just disappeared. It just vanished. (Well, that elbow I keep sleeping on weirdly is still a thing)
The mountain air and nature magically healed me, and it typically does. Whether something happened that has caused some stress or actually physical ailments getting me down.
The weekend didn’t go without some weird interactions: fancy camera people thinking they had preference over a view because they had a camera, or a guy asking me if I was a gypsy because I’m a single girl with a dog.
But, I listened to the sounds, I breathed in the fresh air, I tried noticing all the small beautiful things around me like the sack of fish eggs in the lake and the eagle hunting for a meal.
And I jumped in the lake to wash away all the yuk.
I’m not sure what it was exactly that had me so outta wack in my body, what stressors in my life caused me to randomly feel this way.
But I do know that nature continues to lift my spirits, nurture me to a better baseline when I’m feeling down, stressed….or even achy.
Pausing to reset in any way possible has become key to being my best self. If I don’t do it, I keep getting inundated with the noise and the things that don’t serve me well. It doesn’t give me time to listen to what I need, how to attune to it, or go about my days that serve me, not everyone else around me best.
I’d love to know what a reset or pause looks like to you?
I’m a Mindset, Strategy & Momentum Coach helping smart, capable, and driven individuals who get stuck in their head, overthinking, move forward.
If you're second-guessing your next move, or playing smaller than you know you're meant for, I’ll help you shift your mindset and get clear on what you want, believe you’re already worthy and qualified to have it, and bring it to life with focus, strategy, and consistency.
Book a strategy call with me if you’d like to talk about what’s next for you!