From Hermit to Hiker: When I Started Writing My Own Chapter

How Hiking Helped Me Step Out of My Comfort Zone

So, the other day, I stumbled upon one of those aggressively inspirational, borderline-nauseating quotes and it said this: "I silently stepped out of the race I never wanted to be in, found my own lane, and proceeded to win."

A conversation recently initiated by one of my hiking buddies hit the exact same note. I had also been thinking the same thing a few weeks earlier.

And the synchronicity was so strong it nearly knocked the smug right off that quote.

She said her colleagues love following her hiking adventures and are practically living vicariously through her. She couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to experience her life. Apparently, she’s always the one living vicariously through others… and, honestly? Same-same. Me too.

Now, I know you’re all absolutely riveted by every microscopic detail of my life (because obviously, my life is that fascinating—oh, save it, Sharon). But in case you somehow missed the memo…I was always the human embodiment of a safety net. Comfort zone champion. Risk-averse. ” A proud, platinum-tier member of the “Let’s Just Watch” club, clutching my popcorn and observing other people’s adventures from the safety of my neatly labelled, emotionally cushioned box.

Every so often, life shoved these wild, free-spirited lunatics into my orbit—not your basic travellers who just took bougie vacations. Ugh, pass.. No. Those who really threw themselves into the unknown. The true wildcards. The ones who didn’t just take vacations but dived headfirst into life.

And me? I settled for watching from my little box, perfectly content to experience their lives vicariously. And still do BTW! Did I ever think I could be like them? HA. Not in a million lifetimes.

New to Hiking? The Only Step You Need is the First One

And then… life took me hiking. And weirdly, that changed everything.

So now, when people say they feel part of my “adventures” and tag along from a cozy distance—I won’t lie, it still feels a bit surreal.

Like… are you sure you’ve got the right person? Me?? I’m not out here boldly conquering the unknown—I’m just carefully stepping outside the box, one slightly wobbly foot at a time. Think less fearless explorer, more cautious hag, holding thumbs and squinting at the horizon.

So take a breath. Really. And maybe ease up on treating self-doubt like it’s some essential part of who you are. I get it—I was you. (Still am actually, Just a slightly less terrified version who does bold things, and then wonders, “Who even was that?”)

And no, I get it, the universe didn’t exactly drag me into this new chapter by the hand. That part? I had to figure out on my own. So yes, I’m giving myself a slow clap.

The timing felt right: I was teetering on the edge of something new… After nearly 20 years of working every weekend, it was over—a strange mix of relief, disbelief, and “wait, what do people do on weekends?” My kids will eventually move out (allegedly), and my friends are Googling “how to ghost someone with love and dignity" as we speak.

Bottom line? I had to start writing my next chapter or risk getting stuck. And being stuck is soul-sucking.

So wherever you are on your own timeline, hear this: You are no less worthy, no less capable, and no less ready than anyone else out there who looks like they’ve got it all figured out. (they absolutely don’t.)

And if you’re waiting for that perfect moment to start? It might already be here. And if it’s not? Stay alert, Sherlock. The signs don’t always come with flashing neon arrows or a Morgan Freeman narration.

And on that nauseatingly inspirational note... I should probably go before the universe sends me another cringey quote and I accidentally start blogging in cursive while sipping herbal tea and trying to "find myself."