2019 IS SHAPING UP TO BE QUITE THE YEAR
It seems fitting to make the last year of my twenties the best year yet.
The last year or so has been a little rough, if I am being honest. Night shift has taken its toll on me physically and mentally, and I have not been the best about self care in either area. I have always been an introvert and have struggled with self esteem and self confidence. Moving the Washington and starting my career as a nurse has helped a lot, but I still struggle. I am learning to brush things off. I am slowly building self confidence. I am putting myself out there, challenging myself to become a better me.
It is amazing what going out into nature can do for the mind. Especially after a challenging shift. Let’s face reality: being a labor and delivery nurse is not all snuggling babies. Imagine having two patients, one of them you cannot see or talk to. It can be the happiest place in the hospital and the last place someone wants to be. Babies don’t follow birth plans. Things go wrong. I could not imagine doing anything else.
Insert: nature. My heart rate decrease. My mind relaxes. My ming instantly becomes happier, calmer, at ease.
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir
A lot more hiking. This year I got myself organized, researched when permits were due, and crossed my fingers that I would be lucky for at least one of them. As luck would have it, I was able to score permits for almost every hike I planned (Wonderland still pending) or have friends that won (Enchantments).
JUNE | Mt. Saint Helens Summit
JULY | Sahale Glacier Camp overnight
AUGUST | Southbound John Muir Trail + Whitney Summit | 220 miles
SEPTEMBER | Seven day Wonderland Trail Thru-Hike | 93 miles | Permit denied.
OCTOBER | Five days backpacking the Enchantments Core | 20+ miles