Diversity in the outdoors is good for us who think adventure
I refuse to watch how I am losing my grip on my plans, ideas, or dreams. I often think I should hold on tightly to what I believe is right, but then I realize the importance of letting go and moving forward. Just as in rock climbing, where a handhold might break despite all your effort, life demands that we keep moving.
This might be hard to grasp for those who haven’t done climbing, but the point is clear: when you lose your grip on something you love, it’s crucial to let go and seek new opportunities. This doesn’t mean abandoning your passion but rather finding a better fit within your sphere of interest. In mountaineering, there's always another peak to climb that aligns with your journey, no matter if you have not succeeded in climbing one particular mountain. Not focusing only on one thing is as healthy as it can be. I was in many situations where I returned from a mountain without climbing the peak. For example, during my expedition to Lenin Pik, my partner and I had bad feelings about everything there, including our collaboration, the weather and the possibility of climbing the summit. We retreat. Looking now, 3 years after the expedition, I literally see that expedition as a success. It was eye-opening for me to learn about myself and how I needed to proceed with my activities in the mountains. Where should I focus? What were my strengths, and what were my weaknesses?
In climbing, we talk about 'dancing' with the rock—adjusting our body position, shifting hands and feet, and using our eyes strategically to spot the next move. This concept of 'dancing' has taught me to approach life with flexibility. It means that I embrace different challenges and adventures on my journey of exploration. Even if it’s not on my skillset, and I don’t have any experience yet, there is almost no single day without thinking about how I am pulling my gear on the way to the South Pole. Flexibility- seeking diversity in the outdoors- motivates me to keep doing adventures.
This is way more applicable to writing, which is my passion, as well.
If you find yourself stuck writing a story or project, remember that this doesn’t mean you should stop all your work. Instead, open yourself to new networks, possibilities, and challenges within your passion. This is how you keep your grip strong: by continuously moving and adapting."
I recently felt stuck in a vision of developing a short story while writing it. I stopped, but I started writing about other things, such as how I feel, what I think about something I care about, or using creative writing to describe future possibilities. For me, this works. And not only in writing, but as I said, it’s a mindset that can be applied everywhere in our lives.
The harder we hold, the more tired we become. It’s a very interesting approach, or it’s a whole mindset when people tend to seek solutions by embracing diversity within their life interests.
I write a free newsletter that will inspire you to see the beauty of writing. Once you start writing your stories, everything changes.
