Eco-Therapy: You Aren’t on the “Wrong” Path
Recently, while hiking, I had an experience where I took a trail that was different than I expected. It was a steep incline, full of technical footing and single track trails. While I was capable of hiking it, I realized it was not the right choice for me that day based on how I was feeling and the resources that I had. I became frustrated with myself for not looking at the map better ahead of time and not preparing adequately for the conditions. I felt like I had wasted time taking this trail and, if I decided to turn back, I was worried about what that might mean for still getting time to enjoy a hike.
I think that many of us can feel similarly in our lives whether it is due to choices we have or have not made, our career paths, where we live, choices we have made in relationships, the list goes on. There is a reality that certain choices can lead us down paths we may not desire for ourselves or that can have many barriers in being able to change course. But, as I learned hiking the other day, that doesn’t mean the path is impossible to shift or that you are destined to be on the “wrong” path forever due to certain choices.
In Eco-Therapy, experiences outdoors can be used as teachers for navigating the rest of our lives. We can learn a lot about ourselves based on how we may navigate different experiences while connecting with other natural beings. In the spirit of Eco-Therapy, here are a few reflections from what I learned about life from my recent hiking experience.
You can go a different direction, even if you have to backtrack or use navigation tools.
When you are on a trail, it can be frustrating to go miles in the wrong direction and yes, sometimes dangerous if you don’t have all of the resources needed to survive. In life this can be true as well. If you have been going in one direction for a while, whether with your career, a relationship, or lifestyle choices, and you realize it does not feel right to you anymore, it can feel very tedious to shift course. You may need extra navigation tools (i.e. support from your community, pursuing different education or skills, learning about and exploring a new place to live, medical supports, etc.) and you may need to retrace some of your steps, reflect, and feel the real feelings that may exist about the choice. AND, it is still always possible to change course, even in just beginning with your own mindset and perspective.
There is no “right” pace
Sometimes while recreating on trails, people can feel pressure to go a certain pace or go a certain distance. In life, maybe it feels like you need to do ‘x’ to be “successful” or to have accomplished ‘y’ amount of things by a certain age or time to be “on track”. While we all may have different goals and hopes for ourselves, there truly is not one “right” pace in the navigation of life. The pace is based on what aligns with your needs and finding a rate that allows you to care for yourself while also getting to move forward in ways that feel exciting or supportive for what you are seeking in your life.
There is no such thing as “wasting time” if you are participating on the journey
For people living in westernized cultures, there is often a narrative about productivity and meeting certain outcomes in order to prove that time is being used “well”. This can lead us to believe that when we make a mistake, take a wrong turn, or need to pace ourselves differently that we are being “unproductive” or “wasting time”. While this concept of “wasted time” could actually be true for a capitalistic system, it is not true for us as human beings. When I decided to turn around on that trail and begin a different trail, I did worry about “wasting time” or feeling like I now needed to rush to complete the other path. But, when I reminded myself to look around, to be present, to actually participate on the journey, I noticed beautiful flowers springing up around me, buds beginning to sprout on bushes and trees, I could hear my thoughts more clearly and enjoy the time I was outside. I have found this to be true when I can refocus while living life as well, even if I did make a mistake or am viewed as “unproductive”.
These are just a few of my observations that I hope could inspire you to think about your own path of life and to consider what you may be able to learn the next time you make a “wrong” turn.
If you are interested in learning more about Eco-Therapy or the potential of working or collaborating with me, please reach out at amber@inthealpenglowtherapy.com.