How to change your life...
This simple phase could change everything.
As I write the bullet point notes for this blog post standing on the side of a mountain in the glorious Glencoe in Scotland I still can’t quite believe I am the type of person that gets up at 6am on a Monday morning to hike into the clouds up a *very* boggy mountain alone and here’s the catch… love every second of it.
I think we can all agree that there is nothing better than that moment when we realise we've found something that we genuinely love to do; something that makes us feel truly alive. That being said, I’m pretty sure we all have a cupboard of shame, full of gear from hobbies of Christmas past with barely broken in equipment that never quite really saw the light of day. I can fully relate to both, and while I’m currently on another solo campervan adventure with Roadsurfer I’ve been reflecting a lot on how I actually discovered my love for the, oh so cliche, hiking, climbing, van life and solo travel.
What started as an innocent way to make friends became such a huge love of mine. It wasn't just a fleeting hobby; it became a passion that literally transformed my life. It took a while to realise it let alone admit it (oh hey imposter syndrome yet again) but we finally made it and standing here on this mountain I know this will always be a part of my life but I still can’t believe I managed to get here, especially given my totally non sporty and chronically shy background.
The TLDR version…
So, how did I get here? These words have been echoing in my head relentlessly. How do we actually find what we love when we don’t even know what it is let alone how to start and pursue it? Well, the TLDR version of that answer is these five words:
F**k around and find out.
That’s it really. To find what makes you truly happy and therefore like the most authentic version of yourself you just have be willing to take risks try new things. Diving in headfirst, embracing uncertainty, and learning from the outcomes is where change happens and while as scary as entering a new gym for the first time, with a little bit of practice this mindset can be incredibly transformative and dare I sayh addictive.
Now, if you’re looking for a slightly more actionable plan of attack I’ll take you through some steps on how to get there and hopefully you’ll leave feeling inspired and ready to try something new.
Step 1: Get Curious
Curiosity is the first step in the journey of "f**king around." It involves asking questions, exploring new territories, and being open to possibilities. Read that last point again… be open to possibilities!
Follow Your Interests:
To ease yourself in, you can start here. Somewhat tiptoeing your the limits of your comfort zone and trying out those things that have always interested you. Start exploring these activities and see if anything sticks.
Try New Things:
This is the big one! Try anything and everything, be open to new things, take those opportunities that come up. For me I used to be the classic ‘in my comfort zone’ kind of person as well as a lover of my daily routines and stubborn ways.
When I moved from Australia back to the UK in 2019 in an attempt to make friends I started accepting invites to things I had never done before like outdoor walks in the Peak District and indoor bouldering and while at the time these things were *very much* out of comfort zone, we all know how this story has played out. Discomfort very quickly can become passion so be openminded to anything and everything.
Step 2: Take the Risk and Become a YES Person
Taking risks is a fundamental part of the "find out" process. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and allowing yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.
Start Small:
You don’t have to make huge commitments right away. Start with small projects or part-time involvement in new activities. This way, you can gauge your interest and commitment level.
Embrace Failure:
Failure is not a setback but a learning opportunity. Each failure brings you closer to understanding what you enjoy and what you don’t. Reflect on what didn’t work and why, and use that knowledge to guide your next steps.
Or Think Big?
I know I mentioned starting small, but as the saying goes ‘fortune favours the bold’. Sometimes big passions and changes come from jumping in with two feet and seeing where the journey takes you.
Does it scare you? Well that’s probably a very good indication that you should give it a go. Pretty much everything I have done in the last couple of years has terrified me and that’s exactly why I did them. My first solo ‘hike’ had my heart rate pretty much at it’s max thinking I would get lost, let alone my first solo campervan trip. Yet now, I feel more at home in my Roadsurfer amongst the mountains and rather lost when I’m at home.
Step 3: Go Full Send
Now is the time to really evaluate where you truly feel happiest or most authentically you and just make it happen. Life ultimately is far too short and in the blink of an eye we will be looking back wondering why we didn’t follow our dreams, take that risk or continue on that path.
Set Goals:
Define what you want to achieve with your newfound passion. Setting goals gives you direction and motivation to keep progressing. For me, I set goals to inspire other women to go on solo adventures, experience the freedom and excitement of van life and get out of their comfort zones to see what they are capable of. I started my Mountain Leader qualification and even opened up a business to help other people find their passions. Having something tangible to work towards really made a big difference and gave me some extra purpose.
Invest Time and Resources:
Dedicate time to honing your skills and knowledge in your chosen field. Slowly start to invest in the resources you need (although as I sit with an entire gear room at home, I will warn you, the kit you will collate if you choose outdoor activities is plentiful and addictive) so that you can continue to grow within the hobby and be constantly getting better.
This May Just Change Your Life
I promise you, I know how scary it can be. After all, the discomfort that you know is much less scary that the discomfort of the unknown but I promise you, if you just give it a go it will get easier.
If me in the past could see me now, she wouldn’t even recognise herself. Taking risks and saying yes has meant I have the most amazing career and business that allows me to help others and fills my cup immeasurably. It’s given me an incredible close circle of friends who inspire me endlessly, opportunities I could have only dreamed of and the confidence to say yes to scary things that continues to this day.
So, roll on my next camper van adventure. To more challenges, more memories and the opportunity to reflect of how incredible life is and how we truly are in control of our future.
Embrace new opportunities, relentlessly pursue what sets your soul of fire and f**k around and find out… it may just change everything!
Looking for an Adventure?
If you want to go on your own outdoors adventure then grab yourself a campervan hire from Roadsurfer and use the code LUCY24 for £75 off your booking before October.
Secondly, if you have always wanted to get outdoors and try new things but aren’t exactly sure where to start then check out Made Wild Adventures for women’s only group trips and courses in the UK.
In the meantime, I’ll catch you in the mountains! Stay legendary ✌🏻