Love in the Blues

So many times I have wondered what I am doing with my life. This question has been in the back of my mind for a few years now. Wondering why I chose the path I have and pondering the moments when I have spent energy and time thinking about certain situations. 

Long distance hiking does so many beautiful things to a person, as long as one is open and willing to the natural reaction. Not only will life on trail produce physical benefits,but the mental health also strengthens. So much time for self reflection and thinking.

The important parts of my life, ones which I love deeply and passionately, have strengthened and become somehow more important during this journey. The strength and courage to create and discover a life which brings happiness and pure enjoyment is one that I believe takes time, energy, persistance, and sacrifice in one way or another. The realization that “you can have anything, but you can’t have everything”(anonymous) has put so much into perspective and forced me to think  about what I truly want to spend my time and energy on. 

The beauty of the trail, from my personal experience, has been the acceptance and love of self. Believing and accepting that I am a kind and loving soul. Expecting the kindness and love that I send out into the world from the people around me and not accepting less than this. 

Having walked close to 1,000 miles over a ridiculously large amount of elevation gain and loss, the courage I have developed and self belief I’ve followed is unlike anything I have experienced. 

The journey towards loving myself for exactly the person I am and never believing differently because of what people might say or do…this in itself has been a beautiful transformation. 

I’m just 1 mile away from entering the Shenandoah National Park. The growth and discovering of love and happiness I have stumbled upon has been so amazing. Many more steps and experiences to be apart of. 

Only time will tell what’s down the trail.  

The state of Virginia, all 500 or so miles, has been my favorite state so far. The Appalachian Trail has gone through so much beauty, while the wildlife and views have been very special. From the kindness of locals, to meeting many amazing friends on trail, I feel surrounded by an unbelievable amount of support and kindness (obviously this goes to all my friends and family off trail too). 

Virginia Blues…a saying known to hikers here on the AT. Virginia has been known to be a state where many hikers leave trail or become antsy and upset…the feeling of never getting to the next state. There’s a feeling of falling behind and not putting in enough miles day to day. 

There have been a handful of hikers I know who have left trail in Virginia or who’ve been putting in long miles to get to Harpers Ferry. Hike your own hike and do what works for your journey. 

My world this past month has been filled with so much happiness. My body feeling sore and exaughsted, while my knees feel pain almost every day. I found myself putting in longer miles each day over very challenging terrain. The time has come to listen to my body, especially during such a fragile time, and only push myself so much. 

I love the trail and the simplistic heartbeat within each step. The empowerment and self love I have gained will continue to be at my core. 

Love yourself for the person you are and never settle for less than what you bring into this world. 

~ Chia xo