I'm Ready! I got this! Fri, Aug 24, 2018

Hiking is something that I have always enjoyed, but surprisingly I have never gone backpacking. Although it was in my bucket list, I have always been a little shaky about doing a long trip into the woods. The question “what if x happens?” ended up crossing my mind, which always led me to put a pause on the plans. The movie The Revenant put the last nail in the coffin. That movie just removed backpacking of my bucket list completely. 

The idea of backpacking came back a month ago while I was hanging out with some friends. This time I decided to just go with it and just do it. We decided to do Skyline to the Sea trail, which is a 24 mile hike. As soon as it was decided that we were going to do it, my planning and research instincts kicked in hardcore. Ironically, the more research I did, the more intimated things got. I started reading about all the different backpacking packs, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, hiking shoes, hiking socks, knives, first aid kits, stoves, bla bla bla. Don’t even get me started with video reviews…useless to me.  All of them ended up with “I don’t want to recommend X because it all depends on you and your taste.” After three weeks of research, I had zero backpacking gear on hand.

On Monday I read a quote from Erma Bombeck that said: “worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” That was a wake-up call for me, and decided to change how I was going to tackle this backpacking trip. Create a list of what you need with a timeline, go to the store, ask for help, and buy it. Yesterday I got my first hiking boots and have zero regrets. This weekend I’m getting my backpacking bag and sleeping bags. Yesterday I talked to a friend of mine who told me he was going let me borrow some of his tools, that way I can save some money. Sometimes life just has to happen.

Planning is important, but overthinking and worrying about “potential” scenarios just creates more problems for you. If good things happen, than they become good memories. If bad things happens, than they become lessons. Sometimes the best moments in life are the ones you do not plan for. Ironically, those are also the ones that stay with us forever. Have a good weekend team, and don’t forget to go out there and try something new!