An Adult Gap Year Is a Thing, Right?

This past December I returned to the US after two years of living and teaching English abroad with the Peace Corps in North Macedonia. What better way to readjust and recalibrate by spending months hiking the Appalachian Trail, right?

During my time in North Macedonia, I would find myself daydreaming about hiking the AT, especially as a means of redefining what adventure, independence, adversity, and resilience would mean to me after my return to the States. I felt like I needed to hike the Appalachian Trail to become truly mindful of the personal freedoms I took, and probably still take, for granted. However, after a couple of months back home, a few American stereotypical ideals, like an abundant income, a solid career, and general stability, crept in and I was left questioning if my “adult gap year” made the most sense. But guess what. In the end (or beginning, depending on how you look at it) I believe you can hike whenever your little heart desires. It’s OK. Make it happen before you put it off again. A gap year(s) is for sure a thing for adults, aspiring adults, or anyone, for that matter. Don’t worry. I looked it up.

So, the beginning of March my sister and I will hit the trail and start hiking our little legs to Mount Katahdin. Here’s to many belly laughs, times of resiliency, and seeing how the trail provides.

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