Dear Hiking, Thanks for the Unsolicited Life Lessons

Dear Hiking, you sneaky, dirt-covered therapist. Who knew walking uphill in questionable footwear would teach me more about myself than the last 59 years ever could?

But here we are. You rerouted my anxiety spirals into brutal inclines, my social awkwardness into trail chats with complete strangers, and my fear of change into exciting new adventures every weekend.

Sure, you’ve wrecked my body, murdered my toenails, and convinced me by the 2 kilometer mark that I should’ve stayed home and alphabetized my Spotify playlist —but somehow, beneath the sarcasm and sweat, there’s perseverance, resilience and blind determination clinging on like a tick. Who knew??

So here’s to the lungs that stage a mutiny, the toes that file formal complaints, the slow but stubborn attempts to become a “camper,” and the brilliant decisions made after Googling a trail, discovering it’s poorly marked… and going anyway.

You’ve taught me that sometimes the only way out is up, that peace sounds like wind through trees, and that bravery might just be joining a hiking WhatsApp group full of total strangers and showing up.

You weird, wonderful, nature-wrapped therapist—see you on the next incline. I’ll be huffing, puffing, and—against all logic—thriving.