Venturing 101: Getting into the Mindset

    When was the last time you challenged yourself to do something daring? 
Before you begin planning your next trip, let's make sure your mind is in the right place.

    Venturing is all about stepping out of your comfort zone in search of something.

 

    What you are searching for can be determined by yourself beforehand, and changed at any time. Are you looking for a cool local secret spot to chill with your friends on the weekend? Are you scoping out nearby trails to revisit for your weekly exercise routine? Are you pining for the answers to your life purpose on the Appalachian trail? You decide! 

    Even if you’re unsure, or if you have endless objects of fascination, you aren’t getting sweaty and working up for nothing.

 

When I had free time during my first few camping trips, I would go exploring for wild animals or weird bugs. We all start somewhere. Now on my most recent trip to Antelope Valley, I noticed cool

rock features and went scrambling up them to find myself looking out at a beautifully scenic view. 

From my personal experience, I can tell you that we often find the answers we search for, but we can leave with greater treasures than what we first had in mind. These treasures don’t fall
into our laps though, we have to put in some amount of work.

We must challenge ourselves in order to gain. Doing something that is daring should look different
for everyone though, so assess where you might fall on this spectrum. Are you an avid backpacker
who can set up her hammock and a one person tent, plus cook up a delicious three course trail
dinner within 30 minutes after having just submitted a 4,000ft peak? If you are, you should start
looking at summiting the roughest Rocky Mountains' peak pretty soon. However, if you’ve never
camped before and you couldn’t tell the difference between a camp stove and a bear can (don’t
let the gadgets intimidate you), then try venturing on a smaller scale first. Have you ever wondered
where that weird road in your hometown leads? Or maybe where the nicest nearby sunset spot
might be? Challenge yourself to spend time outdoors, and follow your gut and your curiosity. 

    A common concern should be brought up: how does one walk the line of staying safe and
venturing out? It depends on person to person, but trust your gut and be prepared. Carry
whatever helps you feel safe and comfortable, such as pepper spray, a knife or even
something more heavy duty depending on where you’ll go. I have found that the more I
push myself out of my comfort zone, the safer I feel in general. As long as I stay aware of
my surroundings, have my safety equipment in an easily accessible place on my body, and
I steer clear of sketchy areas at night, I trust myself to handle what will come along. 

Everyone starts somewhere, so this isn’t about comparing yourself to the accomplishments
of others. If it is, you might want to reassess your motives for venturing. This is about your
journey and your comfortability. There is nothing to lose if done safely, and after venturing
out for your first time, you might look back and realize that there was nothing to fear at all.
Your journey will be worth your time, because even if it doesn’t quite go as planned, or gets
somewhat stressful at times, you still did it. You can say that you prepared yourself, stepped
outside of what you previously thought you could do, and learned something along the way.
If you learned that a certain area is not one that you would enjoy revisiting for as long as you
live, then you know where not to go next time. 

Take baby steps if this is new to you. If this is all old news, maybe start coming up with ways to be more creative with your ventures. We’ll get to that later though. For now, (if you want) schedule a time this week to walk around a new place, explore an interesting trail, or just wander around a neighborhood. Remember to be prepared and aware of surroundings, and challenge yourself to get out of that cushy familiar comfort zone.

Until next time, happy trails!

Images from Mindy Kantor and PostivePsychology.com

Let's Get Going

  

 As we enter the digital age of living, it becomes easier to find ourselves looking at screens more often than we look at the world. It's understandable. When we look up we notice chaos, conflict or just a lot of concrete. Although it seems easier to spend an afternoon doom-scrolling Pinterest and Instagram to see how everyone else is living their lives, it always takes away from our own. When you've closed the app and reopened it immediately, that's when you can take the hint that it's time to do something else.

 For me, taking a trip to the outdoors to clear my mind is like hitting a reset button. It might be easier for me to get up and go, though. I've had more than four years of experience in picking up and ditching the city for the views that California has to offer. 

      My adventuring lifestyle began back in 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America had announced that girls within the organization could earn the Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest rank in American Scouting. I remember scoffing at the news, and then stopping to think about how badly I wanted to learn how to camp, fish, perform first aid, travel and experience the outdoors. I told my brother that I was going to become the first female Eagle Scout to which he responded, "No, you're not". Anyone with a friendly sibling rivalry might understand how that instantly lit the fire under my as* to make my dream come true. 

Within the following four years, I led a troop of about 25 girls snowboarding down the San Bernardino mountains, canoeing around Catalina Island, rock climbing outside LA and innumerable other adventures. Additionally, I taught Lifesaving, Swimming, First Aid and boating activities for two summers at a camp next to Lake Arrowhead. I didn't end up becoming the first female Eagle Scout, because there wasn’t a first female Eagle Scout. Instead, I joined the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts, and I can tell you that standing alongside these like-minded ladies is a much greater treasure. 

    These experiences taught me a lot of valuable skills, and if I can spread the knowledge I gained from this organization, then by all means I will. The world doesn't have to be only concrete and cityscape for the youth in San Diego. Over this past summer, I’ve realized the stark difference between 30 minutes of hiking and 30 minutes of watching Tiktoks. I still find myself escaping into my phone while waiting in line for my order instead of interacting or just taking a quiet moment to myself, but I like to remind myself that there is so much to see and not enough time to see it. 

 If this sounds interesting to you, it's time to straighten your back and start imagining your next adventure. It doesn't need to be Fiji or Spain, and in fact, if it's been a while since you've stretched those bones, then a day hike through sunny San Diego is an ideal place to start. The steps are simple, the preparation is minimal, and the rewards will astound you. 

    Lastly, in an ironic and optimistic spin, the trappings of the digital age have become tools for us to break free from the cages of targeted media and into the wonders of the natural world. We are truly lucky to be alive in a time when our apps can inform us of the weather conditions, the duration of a day hike, what a venomous snake bite looks like (although hopefully we don't need that knowledge) and anything else you may have questions about.

 Since it's never been easier than now, let's use these tools to strengthen our bodies and spirits, and get out there into the world!