Sometimes life can get in the way of the big adventures. We get stuck in a spiral. Feeling we are not adventurous enough, not wild enough. So, we adventure less and retreat.

Adventure is adventure no matter how big or small. Its YOUR adventure and is one step closer to your big adventurous dream!

I’ll never forget first reading Cheryl Strayeds ‘Wild’. It was 2014 and I had just had my second Child. I had a 3 year old hanging from my legs and a new born attached to me, for what felt like every moment of the day (and night).

I was 34. I’d left my fun-adventure-filled 20s behind and was now navigating and drowning in motherhood. The book and its story couldn’t have been any further from my reality. But it spoke to me. It spoke to the soul I still had and unlocked dreams I didn’t know sat dormant.  I knew then that was the kind of adventure I wanted. Needed. Some day,

9 Years later, I haven’t walked that path. The dream is still there but the realities of daily life have gotten in the way, one way or another. But the fire ignited in my soul that day still burns bright and is what has propelled me through the last few years, feeding my soul and its dreams of adventure, wherever and however I can.

That book is a big part of who I am now, what drives and motivates me everyday. Sometimes I get distracted from all I have achieved. Feelings and insecurities of being a failure creeping in. I’ve failed to live my dream. I’m not a true hiker. I’m not hiking high enough or far enough. I’m not ‘wild’ enough. I’m not enough.

Its so easy to compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate. We look to people we admire for inspiration and motivation, yet that can also leave us feeling inadequate in our own achievements. By contrast we should be celebrating every small adventure and achievement we make. It doesn’t matter how big or small. We should not be afraid or embarrassed to start new adventures, because we think they are not big enough or adventurous enough. These are OUR adventures. YOUR adventures. So they are enough. Enough for us.

Last New Year I set intentions for 2022 to have 22 New Adventures. Thankfully, I’ve lost the lost so I can’t hold myself accountable and check my failures. But, if I reflect back on 2022, I know I followed a dream to have more adventure. Taking one step at a time, I filled my soul and fuelled my fire.

I haven’t gotten around to setting new intentions for 2023 yet. I know its probably not going to include the Thru-Hike I still pine for, but I’m at peace with that. Whatever lies ahead this year, I know its going to be filled with my kind of adventure and will push my boundaries and take me to places I’ve not yet been!

If you have adventure burning in your soul too, feed it. Take that step. Don’t hesitate out of fear or uncertainty.

If you are looking for someone to adventure alongside, check out the ReWild Child Website or drop me a message. Taking that first step on a hike can be daunting. But it need not be alone. I am passionate about encouraging and supporting women to get outdoors and adventure more. I run a range of programes from small and big hikes to camp events and retreats to provide opportunities for women to connect with nature and adventure together hopefully making friends and connections along the way.

Want to tackle your first Mountain but not quite ready? The ReWild Child My First Mountain Programme might be for you.  A programme of hiking and supportive sessions building to a 2 day hike to Mount Tanzawa (See last years Tanzawa Hike here).

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