Hi all,
There is some talk on here about lessons learned while hiking, and how tough it is to re-enter one’s old life.
There’s also talk of the subtle changes the trail creates in people.
I’m wondering - what did you take with you? What are some lessons learned on the trail, or changes within you, that have helped or affected you in your post-trail life?
Sophie
I don’t need a lot of stuff! No new cars, new TVs, new anything. Don’t need it.
My wife (Flame) and I now when we travel we carry everyting in zip lock bags.
I don’t have to take a bath every day! (I do, but if it were not for family and friends I probably wouldn’t)
I spend more time just enjoying being quite and not feeling guilty that I’m not working to get ahead. I spend more time just reading, walking and visiting family and friends. No more nose to the grindstone.
I got rid of the cell phone!!! I’m not connected!!! I still have a client base and work 6 to 9 months a year but I found out they don’t have to talk to me at the drop-of-a-hat. It takes me sometimes a couple of days to get back to them. But they understand and except it. Most of them say they now envy me because of the more laid back lifestyle.
I already had a love of the outdoors so that didn’t change.
Oh, and when I drop food on the floor I pick it up and eat it. I figure it didn’t kill me on the trail and my kitchen floor is cleaner than those shelters and hostel we slept and ate in.
I get Springer Mt. fever every year at this time.
I guess things just got simple.
Papa Smurf
You learn that life can be simple & good. A cell phone is o/k.but ya dont NEED it. You realize that their are a lot of awful nice folks out their that are pure strangers and they are happy to just help, such as trail angels/maintainers/hostel owners/various vol people. etc “Magic” in your life happens at the most interesting times, ha ha .Those who have gotten it know just what I mean. You learn that life isnt all that bad and that it doesnt have to be the grind that many folks would lead you to believe. I truly appreciate my friends and have learned their worth! And again I take pleasure in a lot of simple things–friends/sunsets/sunrises/a good meal/cool clean water,a view from a mt. top etc…pa pa smurf said it just right…things got simpler…and better.
:cheers
The Desperado
On the AT and again on the PCT, I learned that you must learn to be patient. On the trail no longer can you go 60 miles in an hour but 60 miles in 3-4 days. The pace of life and the patience to accept and appreciate what is happening at this pace is what I learn every time I go into the wilderness. While the pace seems much different in the “civilized” life, it really isn’t. You just have to be patient with this other life as well, learn to say no to things that make you unhappy and spend more time doing the things that make you happy.
As for cell phones, never had one. Cell phone = the death of privacy. Like my privacy on the trail and off.
Peace,
Jym Beam
jym beam
When I started my hike I thought it was going to be the one big thing I was going to do, then I’d come back and return to the life I left. I’d work for thirty years or more in one job and then retire in my golden years.
Since hiking my life is now a preparation for the next adventure. I enjoy work, but it is no longer the main event. I’ll work for a few years, then take time off to play. One job for thirty years seems impossible.
My hike taught me that life is to be lived however your heart tells you. Springer fever every march and the day dreaming I have to tear myslef away from at work tell me I have more walking to do.
Like those above have said, a new TV, cell phone and a closet full of the latest clothes are no longer important. I find myself thinking about picking up hitch hikers, people carrying everything in a backpack doesn’t mean serial killer to me anymore. They might be a hiker walking across the country.
I have friends in almost every east coast state. I keep in touch with the people I walked with.
I learned I’m stronger and more capable than I ever thought I was. I can count on my body to do things I never thought it could do. Of the people I see everyday at work and at school, I’m probably the only one who can say they’ve walked 25 miles in a day, and then got up and did it again.
I like my privacy too. I’m ok with going a whole day without talking to anyone. Solitude is no longer scary. Not bathing everyday or wearing my clothes more than eight hours is ok too. Gee whiz, in the winter I can go a whole month without shaving my legs, noone cares. I don’t have to follow every dictate of society, (laws yes, fads no) and guess what? The world won’t end.
So basically what I learned is to be my own person. I follow my heart, and happiness follows.
Grassy Ridge
Like lot of hikers, I tend to be the self-reliant type.
I was very reluctant to ask for help even though there were so many trail angels out there offering.
After a while though I realized that this was a pretty stupid attititude. I learned that those offering help were often trying to become part of the trail community and that accepting help was a way of bringing both of us into this community.
This led me to realize that there is so much untapped goodwill in this country. People really want to be part of something larger then themselves and when given a chance to help out someone in a relatively “safe” enviroment, most folks will go the extra mile. I think that in many ways, this is an indictment of our “individualistic” society.
People are so busy trying to buy the latest future landfill from Walmart that they don’t seem to have time to actually
live a balanced life that includes community.:boy
jalan
Some of you may live simpler overall, but one devise almost no former hiker can do without is the internet. Pretty soon the web will interface with RFID chips which will be implanted in your hand or brain.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595550208/103-5876519-1267069?v=glance&n=283155
Then there will be no escape.
Mark
Dont need alot to be happy, time is a concept, no need for vanity, if you dont like it, you can always hike out. Pepsi and gummy bears are really good
Virginian
I learned that I love to shower, usually twice a day. I love to eat like I’m still hiking and so I’m overweight, I must have my cell phone because I’m worried I will miss responding to someone in need, and when I camp now I usually car camp. Now I can bring all of the food and clothing I want! Life is pretty easy when I’m not hiking too. I still love to hike, just not with a heavy pack.
Lpasso
Hiking has made me more confident in ways I would not have expected. If I can hike 20 miles in the rain with my aching knees I can do just about anything! And I think I notice the world better and definitely have a deeper appreciation and intense gratitude for all of life’s gifts, most especially the trail. Life is good!
Rainbow