You don’t need to quit your job and buy a cabin in the woods (or a van) to reconnect with the outdoors. Most of us just need to get out the door.
A few years ago, I was working full time, coaching on the side, and caring for a dog with hip dysplasia. He couldn’t join me on long hikes anymore, which made everything harder. Weekends were full. Evenings were gone. I kept saying I’d get out “next week.”
Eventually, I realized next week wasn’t coming. So I stopped waiting for the perfect time and started doing what I could. Short hikes. Evening paddles after work. Small sailing trips that felt like a breath of air instead of a big production.
1. Redefine Adventure
Adventure doesn’t have to be some big expedition. Sometimes it’s just showing up with whatever energy you’ve got that day.
For me, it looked like:
- Short hikes with my dog before his double hip replacement, and slightly longer hikes after he recovered from his surgeries.
- Kayaking after dinner when the water was like glass.
- Weekend sailing trips that cleared my head.
Once I stopped chasing the “big” adventures and I stopped trying to live up to my “old pace,” I remembered why I loved it in the first place.
2. Work With the Life You Have
If you’re busy, tired, or stretched thin, join the club. Life doesn’t magically open up free time for you to go hiking. You have to claim it.
- Use your weekends, even if it’s only for a few hours.
- Head out after work while there’s still light.
- On quiet days, plan routes or check tides so you’re ready next time.
You don’t need to clear your schedule. You just need to use the time that’s already hiding in plain sight.
3. Bring the Limits With You
I thought my dog’s hip dysplasia meant the end of our adventures. Turns out it just forced me to slow down, Honestly, I needed to. We stuck to shorter trails, moved at his pace, and noticed things we used to miss.
Your body, your energy, your schedule… They all change over time. Instead of fighting it, adapt. That’s how you stay in the game.
4. Start Small
Don’t overcomplicate it. A sunrise paddle, a short walk, a lunch on the beach. These little moments count more than you think.
Forget the all-or-nothing mindset. Small, consistent outings rebuild stamina and confidence faster than one big trip you never get around to.
5. Remember Why It Matters
Getting back outside isn’t about chasing your past self. It’s about finding the version of you who feels calm, grounded, and genuinely alive again.
Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Go as far as you can today. That’s enough.
Leave a Reply