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65 Days and a Wake Up
Today is my last day at work, where I have responsibilities. After today I have 13 days left where I still have to come in for out-processing. It’s hard to believe that after 24 years, my last day of work (for now) is finally here. I knew this day was coming. I have known this day was coming for almost a year now. However, I still am having issues processing that this chapter of my life is ending.
It’s becoming surreal…
65 days and a wake up until I will be standing at the Amicalola Falls archway. I packed up 95% of my bag last week. I am missing a few small items as well as food and water. Even without those items, reality started to set in that I would be on the trail very shortly. This moment definitely caused a little anxiety and apprehension.
Final Preps…
I still have a few more things to do before I head out on the trail:
- Receive and pack final items from Amazon
- Food Testing. This is a big one that some people overlook. Nothing better than trying a new food for the first time, and your gut doesn’t react well. Better to do this in the safety of your own home than day 1 on the trail.
- Visit the local REI near the trailhead to pick up fuel, lighters, food, and anything else that TSA restricts us from packing on a plane.
What I am Looking Forward to…
While one chapter is ending, another one is about to begin. The trail not only represents an offramp for my current life, but it also represents the onramp to the next part of my life. Here are the immediate things that I am looking forward to on the trail:
- Escaping work emails at all hours of the day.
- No more long term planning. Due to my job’s nature, I currently am living 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years down the road. I am always planning the future and unable to appreciate and enjoy the present. On the trail, I only have to plan one day at a time to finish by mid-September.
- Physical fitness/exercise daily. This one has been hard as of lately.
- Eating healthier – anything is an improvement on my current eating habits. Drinking water is going to be a big change for me.
- Time to think about what I want to do after the trail.
This will be my last post until I start on the trail. I hope to be posting once a month with updates. Until next time.
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Comments 4
Inspiring. Best of luck Chris!
May your first day post responsibility be the first day of life renewed and reinvigorated! God be with you in these days of preparation and during the journey ahead – both literally and figuratively.
Go for it! I’m hoping to post weekly once I hit the AT, which is probably getting put off until early 2022.
Blessings,
Steve / pearwood
Chris- I did the nearly the same thing in 2018 after a 28 year Army career by taking on the PCT. It was definitely a great way to decompress after all the stress and combat tours over my time in the Service. Wish you the very best for a reflective, mind-clearing journey on the AT!
-mike