What a year it’s been! At the close of 2016, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the adventures that I was lucky enough to take, and the people who I was blessed to share them with. I hope you are able to ponder what made this year unique to you. I found that I transformed the most when I was outside; whether I was just sitting and soaking up views or struggling to endure some of nature’s elements.

Let me start off by saying that the first few months of 2016 were a very distinct and challenging period in my life. Almost everything that I had come to know changed – it has been the most major transition point in my life so far. For a while I was stuck, unable to get outside and fearful of what else could possibly happen. This was a very unusual and unsettling feeling for me, and I wasn’t quite sure how to conquer it.

Then it happened – I had this glorious moment on a camping trip to Moab where I awoke in my tent and saw an entire new world outside of my door. It was an open oasis of bright fresh air, much warmer than the night before, and it quickly filled my lungs with strong intention to shake my current mindset. I sat there for a moment, relishing in awe at the landscape I could not clearly see the night before. It beckoned me to come out and take steps forward instead of standing still. In what direction? Who cares. I am trusting my feet to take me to new places, and realizing what I tell myself ultimately makes or breaks my experiences. It was in this moment that I knew that once I stepped out of this tent, I had the power to keep moving forward.

Now I know what you are thinking – this was just a point of euphoria and bliss often experienced when traveling. There is no way a few minutes could just change EVERYTHING. And that is exactly right. There were still low points after this moment. There always will be as long as we are human. But what do you do to keep yourself moving forward?

For me, hiking became an even more soulful and important activity in my life. Every step and every summit reminded me that no one forced me up this mountain – it was my own choice. I went on some of the hardest hikes of my life and pushed through every. last. step. It affected my mindset in my daily life – I found a new energy after each adventure to put into my work, in my relationships with friends and family, and in my efforts to grow within myself. Time on the trail gave me a safe space to explore thoughts within my head. The more I have been able to devote time to the outdoors, the more I have come to make positive meanings out of every area in my life.

As we move into 2017, what meanings can you create? What if you could change some of the messages you tell yourself in your head that are holding you back? I am not a big fan of resolutions because they overwhelm me, but I will be making a daily effort – either on the trail or off the trail – to promote positivity in my inner dialogue.

Upper/Feature photo taken by @formularossamaria