From fear to fun
Jun 24, 2022 
After two-plus years of hunkering down during the pandemic, we were finally taking a big hiking trip again. This is our favorite type of trip - lacing up our boots, strapping on a pack and walking for hours through gorgeous nature. We made plans to hike through Chile, in the high desert of Atacama and the icy mountains and lush forests of Patagonia.
And I was so afraid.
My pandemic time was spent staying safe so that not only would I not get sick, no one around me would either. It was also spent gaining weight and not moving as much as I used to. As a result, I was afraid that post-pandemic me wouldn’t be able to handle this trip.
Talking to my coach, I listed all of the things that scared me:
- I won’t be able to sleep on the plane and I’ll be exhausted
- I won’t be able to breathe at the high altitude
- I won’t be able to keep up with the other hikers
- I will waste all of the money and energy that went into this because I won’t be able to hike
- I’ll feel Iike an old, overweight loser who shouldn’t have even made these plans
And on and on and on . . . Frankly, it’s amazing I even got on the plane.
As is so often the case, it’s never what you fear and it’s never what you dread that actually happens.
My worst-case scenarios didn’t come true. Which made me realize they hardly ever do. I spent so much energy worrying instead of enjoying the anticipation. My trip was awesome and I was able to do all of the hiking I wanted, seeing a truly beautiful area of the world.
Will I never worry in anticipation again? Probably not. But I will remember that it’s not true, helpful or kind and see how I can let it go.
