Ultimate Self-Care-Find Your "Wilderness"

Where's your wilderness?

I just returned from my annual women’s wilderness canoe trip in northern Minnesota. We drove to Grand Marais, MN on the north shore of Lake Superior, head inland on the Gunflint Trail and put in our canoes, loaded with all our gear and food, and head out for three nights in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness.

You might wonder what the appeal is of going that far away to sleep on the ground, carry all our food and gear on our backs and portaging canoes. (I know my mother does!) For one, it’s gorgeous, unspoiled, wilderness….lakes connected to one another by only portage trails. There are no buildings, no motors, no cell phones, no computers. I believe airlines are even restricted from flying over that area to avoid disturbing the quiet.

For another, it’s very simple living. Day to day activities are reduced to the simplest of duties: preparing meals, rest, contemplation, reading, fishing, swimming, watching wildlife, paddling. There is no need to rush about because there are no schedules. You don’t need a watch because the days are ruled by the sun. You get up when it’s light and you go to bed when it’s dark, after enjoying the campfire and gazing at the stars. It’s easy to enjoy the sounds of nature, the clean air and water. There’s nothing like savoring the food, the tranquil moments and the companionship of friends.

The only problem with spending time in the wilderness is the culture shock when I return! After you return from a relaxing vacation, how can you practice some of that mindfulness and relaxation in your “real” life? How can you savor anything in the midst of traffic, cell phones, computers, and the infinite number of demands?

As I write this, I find myself pondering my wilderness experience and automatically I find myself there…..I can feel myself relax, my breathing has slowed, I’m absorbing the view out my window and noticing the sun shining in the flowers outside my window. It’s lovely and quite calming.

I understand that you may not have experienced the wilderness, but I bet you’ve been someplace that is relaxing and enjoyable.

Where is your “wilderness?”

• Take yourself to that relaxing place in your mind


• Allow yourself to relax into the moment.


• Go where you can unwind


• Let go of the distractions around you
  

We all need to visit the “wilderness” and inner selves to slow down and become more at peace with the world. What would it take to get you there in your mind?

My request for you is to experience your “wilderness” every day even for just a moment or two and give yourself a break from your “real” world. You deserve it.

This Is Your Life....Make It What You Want!