Following Your Primal Instinct

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I’m laying on rock and crude dirt somewhere in the high desert of Montana. My top turns brown from the fine soil beneath me. I do that often. Sprawl out on the ground and embrace the filth that comes from organic dirt and grime, that is. Sometimes it will find its way into my mane like hair. Get tousled and worked into the ends. Often I see the grimmey version of a French manicure under my nail bed. 100% American soil.

It’s almost August. It’s almost my birthday. I’m thru hiking the CDT alone in the Montana wilderness and it’s almost my birthday. I think of how I imagined this birthday as a 15 year old girl. And wouldn’t you know, that 15 year old girl was screaming to get out of small town Connecticut. She was intelligent, adventurous and bored. A dangerous combination. I’d like to think she be proud of the direction I took. The choices I’ve made to simply walk.

That’s all it is. Sometimes it feels awkward when I’m told “Congratulations on completing your thru-hike”. Congratulations for what…? I’m simply doing something that makes my heart sing. I promise I’m not being coy. I sincerely think thru hiking is (mostly) just following the primal instinctive call to walk coupled with a tenacious spirit.

Walk, eat, rest, walk, eat, sleep. And repeat. It’s not extreme; it’s simplified. It’s life with your phone on silent, along with the rest of the dogmatic chatter.

We complain about our relentless incoming emails, tyrant bosses, demanding home life, pushy custom advertisments and lack of sleep. But the truth is, we choose that life. What was once thought of as conveniences has become a form of toxins.

So go ahead. Take a week off a walk outside. Hell, take a month, drive to your favorite park/state/country. I promise it will do the soul good.

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Comments 1

  • Jenny Bruso : Dec 3rd

    So great to see Dora La Explorer featured on the blog! Thank you!

    Reply

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