an ode to late bloomers

In most areas of my life, I would be what you considered a late bloomer. I came out "late" at age twenty-seven. I didn't find my true calling career-wise until after I had completed two other programs. I started hiking in the mountains at twenty-one (and only after all my friends did and it seemed like a hobby I was supposed to have). I didn't love hiking -- in fact I would still describe it as solidly type 2 fun (aka it's not really fun-fun). But then I tried hiking alone.

I loved the freedom I found in being in nature alone. Learning to feel confident and safe in nature was a STEEP learning curve. There was a lot of trial and error. Like that time I came around the corner face to face with a bear with no bear spray or that time I only brought 1 litre of water for a 14km hike and no filtration system or that time ... well you get the point. It was a rough road. 

Becoming a nature babe was a process of slowing down (ugh), admitting there was lots I didn't know (ugh, again) and allowing myself to be vulnerable (triple ugh!). With each skill I mastered (peeing in the woods, check. pooping in the woods. check. packing my own pack. check. river crossings. check.), I became more confident in being vulnerable and alone. In being a part of nature, of being her witness, and letting her witness me back in all my animal glory.