The Appalachian Trail Left Me Jobless and Homeless

I am 38 years old and have had many enlightening moments in my life. But, none as strong as the one I had once I stepped off the Appalachian Trail.

In June 2015, I took my first steps on the AT. I started at the Southern Terminus and began my 100-mile walk north. My goal was to walk the AT as a section hiker and maybe over 15 years, I could complete the entire trail. Thru-hiking was not a possibility with work and my everyday life. But, something shifted in my mind while spending countless minutes surrounded by nothing but trees and dirt. The realization that I was supposed to be doing something different with my life became crystal clear. I was feeling stifled in my creativity at work and my love life was…let’s just say, there was no love life. My existence had become stagnant and I was finally able to admit to myself that I was unhappy and living under false pretenses.

My enlightening moment didn’t happen though until I stepped off the trail. When something or someone significantly changes your thought pattern and shifts your perspective, it is nearly impossible to go back to an old way of thinking.

I was on the AT for one week. That was enough to drastically alter my life.

The second I walked off the trail and headed to the parking lot where I was getting picked up, I knew a “new” me had emerged from the forest. But, what was I going to do with this new perspective? How do you change your life to match your heart?

I’ll tell you. You take risks. You accept that people are going to think you have completely gone mad. You ignore the comments of “What the hell are you doing?” and “Have you lost your mind?”

You move forward.

So, that is what I did. I was back in St. Louis the day after I walked off the trail and my entire life changed almost instantaneously. I stepped into my house and was utterly overwhelmed with stuff. Since getting off the trail 6 weeks ago, I sold my house, almost all of my belongings and turned in my notice at work. When all is said in done in the next couple of weeks, I will own only what will fit into my pack. I will no longer be confined by things.

Where will I go? What will I do?

Leisure, the man I fell in love with on the trail (that’s another story!) and I are moving to the island of Caye Caulker, Belize for the winter. We will explore the island, swim with manatees, make new friends and I will learn to live with less. I will become a freelance writer, blogger and social media guru. All of which are things that allow me to stay creative and live authentically.

In April 2016, we start our northbound thru-hike of the AT on Springer Mountain. After that, I don’t know. For the first time in my life, I don’t have a long-term plan. I am learning to live in the moment, to cherish people not things and to be truly comfortable with my past, present and unknown future.

Have you had an enlightening moment that changed your life? Leave a comment. I would love to hear your story and know that I am not alone!

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Comments 19

  • Meg @ Adventures in Verdance : Aug 5th

    Same thing happened to me on January 15, 2013 on a park bench in Ohio when I decided to change everything about my life. I evidently had the tenacity (read: necessary stubborn streak) to carry it out, because my life is different. Different geography, new significant other, new career.

    Enjoy your new life! It’s going to be amazing.

    Reply
    • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

      That’s so awesome Meg! Change is so amazing if you have the courage to embrace it!

      Reply
  • Sweetie : Aug 5th

    Maybe I misunderstood but you said you were on the trail for a week and met and fell in love during that week? And you are going off to another country with him? You don’t even possibly know him or he you. That is immature infatuation.

    Reply
    • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

      Maybe it is infatuation. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, I’m going with it and I’ll see where life takes me.

      Reply
  • Teach : Aug 5th

    Can I get in touch with you somehow?

    Reply
    • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

      You can reach me at any of the social media links by my name. 🙂

      Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    Teach – You can reach me at any of the social media links in my bio.

    Sweetie – Maybe it is infatuation. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, I’m going with it and I’ll see where life takes me.

    Meg – That’s so awesome Meg! Change is so amazing if you have the courage to embrace it!

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    Teach – You can reach me at any of the social media links in my bio!
    Sweetie – Maybe it is infatuation. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, i am happy and living life large.
    Meg – That’s awesome! Change is amazing when you have the courage to embrace it.

    Reply
  • Frogmonkey : Aug 5th

    Good for you! The trail helped me to realize what’s really important in life–experiences, not things. I’ve given up the idea of ever having a career and working until retirement. Living out of a backpack for six months made me realize I didn’t need anything in my house, and how little I needed to truly be happy. My husband is the opposite of me, but we’re working hard to find a balance for both of us. And I don’t think you’re crazy for running off to Belieze with a guy you barely knew. I basically moved to be closer to my husband after the first weekend we spent together.

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    Thank you Frogmonkey! Love is not bound by the time you know someone. It is found in mysterious places and only when you are open to receive it does it welcome itself into your life.

    Reply
  • Hiker BigTex : Aug 5th

    Good for you! We get once chance on this world; why not take a risk and actually enjoy it! I’ve been to Caye Caulker as I lived in Belize for a while. Its beautiful.

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    Hiker BigTex – Ah! 🙂 I am so excited to go to the island! If you come back to Belize, come over to the island and say hi!

    Reply
  • John Sims : Aug 5th

    When you finally “wake up” from the sleep that we are pushed into from society, It’s like flipping a switch. You suddenly see the world with new eyes and that we’ve been doing things wrong our whole life. Live, laugh, love. Go explore the world with your new eyes, and see how you can make it a better place. I believe when this happens is when we first tap into the global conscientious, and see the bigger picture. Good for you, and good luck on your journey.

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    You are so right John. You can’t go back. I feel lost in the society that I once so comfortable living among. I can’t go back. It all seems so insignificant.

    Reply
  • Debra : Aug 5th

    Come see me on Ambergris Caye in Belize. I sold everything and moved there. Good luck.

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 5th

    Debra! For sure! Let’s connect on Facebook!

    Reply
  • A J MacDonald Jr : Aug 7th

    You changed because of a guy you met on the trail, not because of 100 miles on the AT.

    Reply
  • Michelle Strong : Aug 7th

    AJ – You just don’t know me. The last thing I would ever do is change for a guy! Ask Leisure. That’s not the way I roll.

    Reply

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