Portrait 10: Moving forward

I remember having a conversation with a couple of friends not long after I started hiking. I was near the peak of my anxiety and the worst of my depression and they were both fully aware that my life was an absolute train wreck (and were always there when I needed them). One of them asked what I like most about hiking. My simple answer: I’m either having fun or I’m moving forward.

I return to that conversation regularly while I’m hiking, and when I’m not hiking. It helps keep me on track for day to day life. When I find myself in a slump, I remember to ask: What would be fun? What can I do to move forward? It doesn’t matter if it’s something small or silly; it’s something good to do for myself.

It’s easy to find myself disengaged from the world, and it’s not always easy to carve out a few hours to go hiking. I’m finding new ways to better my life. Sometimes I stretch for 20 minutes. Sometimes I research a new adventure or process photos from a previous trip. Sometimes I start reading about a new subject. Sometimes I stream a show or movie I like - but I don’t absent-mindedly stare at my laptop anymore, halfway watching a show I’ll never remember. I want to be engaged. I want to have fun. I want to move forward.