30 BEFORE 30 CHALLENGE!
26- Complete a Hike without the tears…
Okay okay… I know, how ridiculous does this one sound?
Let me go into a little more detail…I have always had an interesting love/hate relationship with fitness over the years. Particularly leading into my adult life where you could say my fitness levels have not been the greatest.
When it comes down to it I really do have a love of hiking and the feeling of achievement when I reach the top and witness the incredible views.
In November 2021 I was first introduced to the Flinders Ranges during a weekend trip away where I was burnt out, tired and extremely unfit. Although I loved the opportunity I had to go on this trip, it was an extremely stressful introduction to “hiking”, but an adventure that I know I was put in to begin to change my mindset around “climbing big hills” as I would call it. There were certainly some tears on this trip…
Fast forward to my introduction to “hiking” with Empowered Academy and the amazing experiences I have been thankful to be a part of. The biggest thing I have learnt is when you are told “it’s not that steep”, it’s a lie… I have done hikes around South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Bali where almost every time I find myself becoming emotional on the journey up. I become overwhelmed and frustrated with myself. I find myself comparing my fitness levels and ability to others, others who I know are not judging me and are proud because I’m out there putting in the effort to do what I want to do. Every single time I would work myself up to being on the verge of tears.
Bali was a turning point for me. I signed up to hike Mount Batur for sunrise without any research whatsoever (a standard move for me because I have full trust in this group!). I dragged myself out of bed at 2am, put on my new hiking shoes and reminded myself that I can do it! Not even 5 minutes into the hike I lost control of my breathing pattern and fell straight into a panic attack. All because I was becoming overwhelmed and frustrated with myself as I made attempts to trek up the sandy slopes. I can never thank the incredible support around me that day enough who provided the emotional support I needed to physically push my body to the top to see the sunrise. The second I felt the relief of achieving what I set out to do that day reminded me that I actually love going on these hikes!
It was not long after being in Bali that I saw a retreat in the Flinders Ranges. The exact spot where this little journey began. There was no hesitation at all! I knew this was going to be how I rewrite my memories into something positive.
On February 23rd I started the drive to Wilpena Pound, stopping in Melrose to do a walk-through Alligator Gorge first. The next day I set out for the 6:30am hike through the Pound and right up to the same lookout where my little hiking journey started in November 2021. Not one tear was shed! No struggle. No pain. Just a moment of positive reflection where I could let go of the things that do not serve me anymore.
From the outside this challenge on my list seems quite small and insignificant. Looking back today as I write this, it was actually emotionally huge.
My body still has a long way to go before I hit a level of “fitness”, but my mind is a lot stronger now knowing I can achieve what I want to in my own time.
I am truly ready to love every second of my next hikes in Uluru later this year (but let’s be honest, I’m sure I’ll do more beforehand).
Positive Mind Waves 