This post is about hiking… and not at all about hiking. It’s also about breaking the rules of all the things I thought I was supposed to be.

I used to HATE the idea of hiking.

It didn’t seem congruent with who I saw myself as and some failed attempts made me darn sure of it. I had gone on some big inclines without the right shoes, water, snacks, breaks or really what makes hiking joyful. I felt out of shape, like I was posing, classic imposter syndrome silliness.

Slowly, my hiking enthusiast partner introduced different ways of approaching it. He met my pace, we stopped for hugs (often sweaty} and really taking in views. We brought snacks and hiking started to mean longer, prettier walks. I went exploring with a friend who did not hesitate to take every photo, enjoy every bug, tree and view and celebrate ourselves by taking selfies. These permissions gave way for me to enjoy my own version of hiking. I started taking it mindfully, with snacks I get excited to stop and appreciate, comfortable clothes I can feel safe to play in the woods in and shoes that help me fall less. Going slow, taking breaks, falling and taking selfies felt like it meant I wasn’t a “good hiker” but that’s what made me go on hikes, becoming stronger and more capable of taking it all in.

Maybe this is my own permission to try other things I’ve been curious about but didn’t feel like it was okay for me to explore. Maybe, it could be yours too?