Procrastinate

Sorry for my words, but fuck! How hard where last few months? Well, I rather walk double distance I did last year, in 35C heat and uphill that is. So what started as a surreal thing, coming back home became a major mental struggle. At first I could enjoy all luxury. I really did. A fridge, a shower, a normal bed. You know, that sort of stuff. Soon enough I knew better, "less is more". More means more costs, more maintenance, more stress, more hassle and more vacuuming, cleaning and what not. 

 

In February I managed to temporary flip the switch. I started my own business as hiking coach, all that felt really well. Proud of what I achieved I started writing my book. It takes time before coaching appointments fill up my agenda, so there was time to write. First chapter? A nightmare. When you read a book, the start is so important. Not catchy enough and people will stop reading. Doubt set in. Spring weather was a drama. We had the wettest and most grey Spring since 2006. Dark, grey, cold and rainy. Not really inviting to go out on a hike. I didn't feel happy, I missed adventure and struggled with the rushed and greedy society around me. 

 

Then procrastination kicks in. Delaying the moment to put my pack back on and head off into the wild. Go hiking. It's hard to explain but somehow I was a bit scared of that moment too. I started to doubt. "Am I still able to walk with that weight and most important, will I still enjoy doing so?". 

 

Last week I was making a cup of tea at home. I used the waterboiler. That luxury commodity, boiling water fast and making the energy bill grow happily. After 10 seconds it stopped. Then it took another 10 seconds, maybe a bit more before Fay stepped into the kitchen. "Dad, the tv doesn't work". We soon realized it was a power failure. Not only us, but the whole street had no electricity. 

 

I smiled. I smiled from ear to ear. No electricity in the Western world. Ha! I loved it. My backpack is always ready to go so I got out my headlight. I said to wife and kid: "No worries, dad doesn't need any power. We don't need it. I can supply power from my powerbank and solarpanel and I can cook on wood. No need for electricity". 

 

It turned out that the problem of that power failure was one meter down the ground, in our front yard. They dug a hole at 10pm, and at 1am at night they managed to turn the power back on. Twenty three houses had no power all evening. It certainly flipped my switch in a positive way. Let's say, that moment woke me up. 

 

Finally the day came! No more procrastinating. No more delay. I hiked. I hiked a good portion in the Teutoburger forest in Germany and it was a killer. Sore bones, sore feet. I could hike, I fully enjoyed, but obviously it hurted as fuck. Most important though, I enjoyed. Not only that, I feel really alive again! 

 

So what's to come for this blog? Cause I so much respect you all for sticking around. Now I will post more. About hikes, the editing of my book and an upcoming road trip through the Balkan in August. And then, my wife will walk the Camino Frances in September. She has never done such a thing before. She is a bit anxious, excited at the same time and I am damn proud of her! 

 

And next year? Who know's where Your Own Way will roam around. 

 

For now, expect more frequent updates! Love you all, thanks for following and reading this new post! 

 

Happy days!