Alone, not lonely: Why I Solo Hike
Solo hiking is for losers!" Have you heard this before or even told yourself this? Maybe you’ve told yourself that although you’d quite like to do a solo hike, it's not something you could do, or that it feels scary or dangerous.
Whatever the reason you’ve held yourself back, here's why I solo hike and what benefits I get from it that can hopefully inspire you to head out on a solo adventure this Mental Health Awareness Month.
Circumstances and limitations can provide a platform…
Before vanlife, I didn't do much solo hiking, although I did grow up in the countryside so felt little fear of going off alone for a few hours. Nowadays though, it's a regular occurrence and one that I really look forward to each week!
I started for a few reasons - firstly we live in a small space and if one of us is working, the other being out of the way for a few hours can be really helpful. Secondly, despite what people may think - being nomadic doesn't always mean meeting cool people and having adventures together. Most of the time it is in fact the opposite. So often we don't have people to go hiking with!
But pretty soon I began to really look forward to and cherish this time to myself and I began to reflect on why it feels so good for my mental health. These are the top 6 reasons:
1. Self-Reflection & Mindfulness 🧠🙏🏻- self imposed time with our own thoughts can feel weird at first, but after some time they begin to settle and without someone else to distract you from them, you'll begin to allow them to just be with you. This allows space for reflection as well as simply being with thoughts.
2. Independence & Confidence 🔥 - the sense of accomplishment and self esteem is very real! Even if it's not a particularly complicated or hard hike, just navigating it all solo can feel very empowering, boosting your resilience, self-belief, pride and sense of purpose! If you can do this, what else can you do?
3. Freedom/Flexibility 🆓 - nobody else to consider or think about...no need to consider what they might want/not want. You get to decide everything! How often can you say that?
4. Being present with and connecting to nature 🌀🏞️ - having no distractions, just you and the elements can bring about new connections, namely we begin to notice the natural world around us more keenly and connect with it on a deeper level. The birds, other wildlife, the sea, the sky, the trees…are we ever really alone with so much life all around us?
5. Low Environmental Impact 💪🏻 - hiking is basically one of the lowest cost activities you can do both in terms of money and impact on the planet. You could even say it's anti-capitalist altogether and it can feel super empowering. Pack a bag, prep your lunch and a few supplies and like a regular Bilbo Baggins, set off on a mini (or epic) adventure!
It doesn't stop with hiking either! There are tons of empowering activities we can do solo!
So would you hike solo? What holds you back if not? Do you already? Where did you go? What else do you enjoy doing solo?
Let me know 👇🏻✍🏻