NOURISH | What I Learned From Hiking the Appalachian Trail

One of the most spontaneous decisions I've ever made was to hike the Appalachian Trail. It happened like this: My father and sister had hiked the AT before me, driving up to Georgia to walk in the woods for days at a time. They were getting ready for the next leg of their trip, and there was just enough time for me to jump in, grab my sister's old pack and join them. No training, no hiking shoes, just a backpack, a bandana, some old trainers and the wilderness. (Ok, and granola. There was a lot of granola.) So...I jumped.  I was scared, nay, terrified. But also, refreshed.

My father hatched the idea for this post, which I share with you in honor of this month's theme, NOURISH.

Hiking the trail has taught me many, many lessons, like the necessity of procuring a trusty walking stick and how much I undervalue having hot water on the daily when I'm home. But it's also taught me a few things about life and nourishing my soul, which I share with you here.

What I Learned From Hiking the Appalachian Trail

We have more than enough.

Hiking the trail with only a backpack, I quickly realized: 1. Just how heavy it is to carry even a few belongings around, and 2. We have SO MUCH stuff. When I'm out hiking, I don't crave possessions as much as I miss the warmth of the indoors and (of course) my mom. But being on the AT also makes you realize just how much we constantly have things (from coffee mugs to vanilla bean candles to a stack of library books) on hand when we need them. You don't need that much in the woods, and it's kind of lovely.

That being said...I need the trees.

I am a woods person. Living close to the beach, I have always appreciated the sea but pined for pine trees. Getting out into the woods and walking through the forest each day was one of the most calming experiences ever. The stillness of the forest isn't something I get to experience in my daily life and it's both haunting and humbling. There is a quiet majesty to the woods that has my heart. 

Ditto the mountains, the sky, the stars. The things you see when you're up in the mountains is unreal. You can spend days hiking for views that you wouldn't otherwise have had access to because hiking through the AT is the only way to see them. It makes you feel accomplished and exhausted in the best possible way. Away from technology, seeing the sky and crazy expansive views just makes my heart sing.

I need to feel small.

It is so easy for me to focus on myself and forget that outside the comfort of my air-conditioned home, there is a huge, natural world waiting to be explored. The trees nourish my soul and I remember many times just talking to God as I walked. It's a way to feel closer to Him by being in the creation He established long before buildings and technology gave us the lives we have today. It's nice to feel my problems pale in comparison to this huge, wonderful world full of people and trees that our big God has made.

Our lives are hectic.

This became immediately clear to me once my only task was to wake up, prepare food, take down camp and walk. That was it - my entire day's agenda was to walk, to eat. To nourish my soul and my body. There is so much unnecessary chaos and clutter that comes with our lives and getting out into the forest helps remove you from that.

What about you?

I spent some time walking in the park yesterday and I feel like I got a small-scale sense of peace that I do when I'm immersed in the woods. What makes you feel at peace? Do you have any favorite nature spots or places that calm you down? Thanks for reading!

Miss last week's NOURISH post? Check it out here!
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