I truly believe that going 1-2 miles an hour on the trail makes it difficult to get back to the speed of life off the trail. The trail retires the brain. I found getting back to a short 100 mile week long hike helped me to reset my brain. It does take time but keep the faith that just like on the trail, life will work out off the trail. Great Video!
Great advice. We spend a lot of time preparing for life on the trail with little though about how to coupe afterwards. All thru-hikes should watch your video months before their depart date to give themselves time to save and make all necessary arrangements. Thinking about life after the trail is probably more important (at least long term) than how much your pack weighs. Thank you for sharing. I start NOBO on 16 Feb…TRAIL FEVER…Best of luck
Thank you. I hope you have an amazing adventure! The weather here in GA has been lovely recently, hopefully it will hold out so you have a nice sunny start.
Thank you so much for sharing what you've been going through. You have been such an inspiration. My wife and I are starting a section hike on May 26th. A small one from Springer Mountain to Needs Gap. Slow going. We're just taking our time. I'm very proud of my wife for doing this with me. You and Dixie have been a hand in this. We know depression. God bless!
Important message to the hikers returning home after a long time on trail. The trail has a lot to miss so it’s natural to be depressed. I do after every section hike. I like to keep planning for next time though, that helps me stay engaged in the lifestyle and community. Thanks for sharing your perspective it is appreciated!
First of all - Wow you look so beautiful! Having followed you from the beginning I know you'll come through this just fine. When the going gets tough lean on your faith and your perspective will change. What kind of business are you working to get going? Our prayers will be with you and your cute pup. Thanks a lot for sharing your trials (get it) with us and the best of luck to you and your business.
Thanks, TrailSlug. I've been doing consulting work (marketing and business growth) for years. I'm shifting from big projects to do more coaching and virtual work so I can weave in time on the trail. It's a transition that takes time and patience, but I'll get there.
Glad that you shared your experiences with this. I too am an introvert and I cherish my alone time. I do love my daily walks; aka sanity walks. The good part about being a person more experience in life is that you have much more strength than those with fewer life experiences. Stay strong Moonpie.
I really appreciate you sharing with us all - your perspective based on personal experience. A difficult message to share for sure, but definitely one of the first steps in bringing light to the matter of your thoughts and feelings! May 2019 open as a huge blessing to you and your family! 🤗 Cheers, Lamplighter 2019 out! 😉
Excellent video and very useful information. It is so critical for people to accept this realization that they are in this “mourning “ state of depression and to take action and reach out to loved ones and professionals. Hope to see you on the trail again! 😊
Thanks for your honesty. It’s a concern for me as I head out...life has been so consumed with this challenge, I’m sure there will be a big void when I return.
Thanks for sharing your personal story. I wish you well in whatever you decide to do. The trail will always be there and I'm sure you've heard that before. You should be so proud of all that you accomplished. I know it's difficult to set a goal and not be able to fulfill it. You were amazing in my eyes. The longest that I was out on the trail was 6 weeks and I found it very difficult to get back into the swing of things. I desperately missed the trail. Whatever you decide to do I will be there following along.
I can totally understand all your feelings & send a hug. As I’m now planning for thru hiking next year, I know the planning phase is exhausting yet exciting. Transition is always tough for me, as well, so I want to try & build-in some planning for whenever I get back. Please keep sharing, as your videos are always so heartfelt & helpful! 🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing. I know exactly how you feel! I am going thru the same thing. All I think about is the AT. I made it to Rutland, VT last year and I was so close also. It is so disappointing not to be able to finish a thru hike after all of your hard work. I would give anything to be able to go back and finish my thru hike but I can't because of the weather. So, i am going to finish it this year after black fly season which is sometime late June. I have the most beautiful and challenging part of the trail ahead of me and I have that to look forward to. Hopefully I will see you out on the trail again!
I'm so sorry you didn't finish, but it's great that you can get back to it later this year. You'll have an amazing time in NH and Maine - it's tough, but worth every step. Happy hiking!
A great topic that is not addressed often enough. I've always said that the most difficult part of the trail is leaving the trail. Only those who have been there will get it. My solution was to move to a trail town so that I could be near the trail community at all times. I took an enormous pay cut to do so, but I've never looked back. I can't put a dollar amount on my mental health.
Great video!!! You have so much to be proud of and you are so incredibly inspiring to me. After saying that, I know it doesn't help to say that in a way, since I didn't finish and I too went thru a depression blaming myself, beating myself up, being embarrassed of the failure. So now is the time I had to refocus, get busy and start again with all that I learned from my experience on the Trail. I hope to help others with the lesson I learned, so their journey can be better or at least not make some of the mistakes I did. You have so much more knowledge than me and just think how much more you can help others while you reset and decide what's next for you. You did great and greater things are to come. You got this, can't wait to go along with you on this new journey!!!😀
It was not easy leaving the trail early especially due to injury. You put so much time and energy into the preparation then something random happens the goal for that year is lost ... you didn't expect to be back into the matrix so soon. Then because of social media you see many people reaching the goal you failed at ...it does a number on your confidence.
There are a lot of people in your corner pulling for you. Life can surely get in the way of finding peace at times. Sounds like you have a handle on it and I am certain you will be back on trail and finish . My life obligations keep me doing section and mostly weekend trips . My mind is always on the trail when I am fulfilling my requirements between trips. The trail calls to us all. LOL....gonna stop "rambling " and wish you peace and Godspeed.
It takes a strong person to share at this leave. I appreciate & respect your sharing all of your personal feelings about adjusting to regular life after the trail. Sending love & positive vibes & lots of HUGS!!!! The door stop cracked me up! lol
My parents have a 14+ y/o dog with very bad hips and can barely walk. They started giving her CBD oil. Jury is out--its only been 2 days but they are seeing some slight positive effects....perhaps.. Maybe something to look into. I have 3 dogs and 2 are almost 14. Good luck.
Thanks Brian, I’ve been giving her CBD oil but I really can’t tell if it helps. She’s also on a pain med and thankfully she seems pretty comfortable even though her back legs are failing her.
I looked into Pulsed Signal Therapy for my parents dog but it wasn't available in Knoxville and my father is skeptical about any further therapies. But it may be helpful--but I am sure it is expensive!
Hugs! 400 miles isn't much and wouldn't take you long to do weekend section hikes. Hiking it all in one year seems arbitrary to me, though of course only you know the reasons for your goals. I hope your business picks up soon!
This is probably your most important post. I so appreciate how open you are in this post. Once again, I'm still so very proud of you.
I truly believe that going 1-2 miles an hour on the trail makes it difficult to get back to the speed of life off the trail. The trail retires the brain. I found getting back to a short 100 mile week long hike helped me to reset my brain. It does take time but keep the faith that just like on the trail, life will work out off the trail. Great Video!
Great advice. We spend a lot of time preparing for life on the trail with little though about how to coupe afterwards. All thru-hikes should watch your video months before their depart date to give themselves time to save and make all necessary arrangements. Thinking about life after the trail is probably more important (at least long term) than how much your pack weighs. Thank you for sharing. I start NOBO on 16 Feb…TRAIL FEVER…Best of luck
Thank you. I hope you have an amazing adventure! The weather here in GA has been lovely recently, hopefully it will hold out so you have a nice sunny start.
@@JoyfulRambler Thank you. I hope it is nice, but I will be happy regardless of the weather.
Thank you so much for sharing what you've been going through. You have been such an inspiration. My wife and I are starting a section hike on May 26th. A small one from Springer Mountain to Needs Gap. Slow going. We're just taking our time. I'm very proud of my wife for doing this with me. You and Dixie have been a hand in this. We know depression. God bless!
Important message to the hikers returning home after a long time on trail. The trail has a lot to miss so it’s natural to be depressed. I do after every section hike. I like to keep planning for next time though, that helps me stay engaged in the lifestyle and community. Thanks for sharing your perspective it is appreciated!
First of all - Wow you look so beautiful! Having followed you from the beginning I know you'll come through this just fine. When the going gets tough lean on your faith and your perspective will change. What kind of business are you working to get going? Our prayers will be with you and your cute pup. Thanks a lot for sharing your trials (get it) with us and the best of luck to you and your business.
Thanks, TrailSlug. I've been doing consulting work (marketing and business growth) for years. I'm shifting from big projects to do more coaching and virtual work so I can weave in time on the trail. It's a transition that takes time and patience, but I'll get there.
It's always a joy to watch your channel. thanks
Glad that you shared your experiences with this. I too am an introvert and I cherish my alone time. I do love my daily walks; aka sanity walks. The good part about being a person more experience in life is that you have much more strength than those with fewer life experiences. Stay strong Moonpie.
I really appreciate you sharing with us all - your perspective based on personal experience. A difficult message to share for sure, but definitely one of the first steps in bringing light to the matter of your thoughts and feelings! May 2019 open as a huge blessing to you and your family! 🤗 Cheers, Lamplighter 2019 out! 😉
Excellent video and very useful information. It is so critical for people to accept this realization that they are in this “mourning “ state of depression and to take action and reach out to loved ones and professionals. Hope to see you on the trail again! 😊
Thank you for your honesty.
Thanks for your honesty. It’s a concern for me as I head out...life has been so consumed with this challenge, I’m sure there will be a big void when I return.
Hi Sara, have a wonderful hike. I'll be watching your journey unfold. Be safe and enjoy :)
Great info. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for sharing your personal story. I wish you well in whatever you decide to do. The trail will always be there and I'm sure you've heard that before. You should be so proud of all that you accomplished. I know it's difficult to set a goal and not be able to fulfill it. You were amazing in my eyes. The longest that I was out on the trail was 6 weeks and I found it very difficult to get back into the swing of things. I desperately missed the trail. Whatever you decide to do I will be there following along.
I can totally understand all your feelings & send a hug. As I’m now planning for thru hiking next year, I know the planning phase is exhausting yet exciting. Transition is always tough for me, as well, so I want to try & build-in some planning for whenever I get back. Please keep sharing, as your videos are always so heartfelt & helpful! 🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing. I know exactly how you feel! I am going thru the same thing. All I think about is the AT. I made it to Rutland, VT last year and I was so close also. It is so disappointing not to be able to finish a thru hike after all of your hard work. I would give anything to be able to go back and finish my thru hike but I can't because of the weather. So, i am going to finish it this year after black fly season which is sometime late June. I have the most beautiful and challenging part of the trail ahead of me and I have that to look forward to. Hopefully I will see you out on the trail again!
I'm so sorry you didn't finish, but it's great that you can get back to it later this year. You'll have an amazing time in NH and Maine - it's tough, but worth every step. Happy hiking!
Not hiking the trail might be more of a bummer than post trail depression.
Hell I get bummed after returning from a couple days out there, can imagine how tough it must be after 6-month thru-hike
A great topic that is not addressed often enough. I've always said that the most difficult part of the trail is leaving the trail. Only those who have been there will get it. My solution was to move to a trail town so that I could be near the trail community at all times. I took an enormous pay cut to do so, but I've never looked back. I can't put a dollar amount on my mental health.
"I can't put a dollar amount on my mental health." Amen!
It's wonderful you were able to move to a trail town. Maybe someday I can too :)
Great video!!! You have so much to be proud of and you are so incredibly inspiring to me. After saying that, I know it doesn't help to say that in a way, since I didn't finish and I too went thru a depression blaming myself, beating myself up, being embarrassed of the failure. So now is the time I had to refocus, get busy and start again with all that I learned from my experience on the Trail. I hope to help others with the lesson I learned, so their journey can be better or at least not make some of the mistakes I did. You have so much more knowledge than me and just think how much more you can help others while you reset and decide what's next for you. You did great and greater things are to come. You got this, can't wait to go along with you on this new journey!!!😀
Good job thanks for sharing and being open. Hopefully you can get out there and finish sometime I'm sure we're all pulling for you!
God Bless!
It was not easy leaving the trail early especially due to injury. You put so much time and energy into the preparation then something random happens the goal for that year is lost ... you didn't expect to be back into the matrix so soon. Then because of social media you see many people reaching the goal you failed at ...it does a number on your confidence.
What a great video- thanks for sharing!
Love the new intro and the fixed music track!
Excellent points!!!
We both enjoyed your videos and you motivated us to hike the trail this summer. We start March 15.
There are a lot of people in your corner pulling for you. Life can surely get in the way of finding peace at times. Sounds like you have a handle on it and I am certain you will be back on trail and finish . My life obligations keep me doing section and mostly weekend trips . My mind is always on the trail when I am fulfilling my requirements between trips. The trail calls to us all. LOL....gonna stop "rambling " and wish you peace and Godspeed.
It takes a strong person to share at this leave. I appreciate & respect your sharing all of your personal feelings about adjusting to regular life after the trail. Sending love & positive vibes & lots of HUGS!!!! The door stop cracked me up! lol
you will never make it you old bag.
My parents have a 14+ y/o dog with very bad hips and can barely walk. They started giving her CBD oil. Jury is out--its only been 2 days but they are seeing some slight positive effects....perhaps.. Maybe something to look into. I have 3 dogs and 2 are almost 14. Good luck.
Thanks Brian, I’ve been giving her CBD oil but I really can’t tell if it helps. She’s also on a pain med and thankfully she seems pretty comfortable even though her back legs are failing her.
I looked into Pulsed Signal Therapy for my parents dog but it wasn't available in Knoxville and my father is skeptical about any further therapies. But it may be helpful--but I am sure it is expensive!
holisticvetcare.com/regenerative-medicine/pulsed-signal-therapy.html
❤️
Hugs! 400 miles isn't much and wouldn't take you long to do weekend section hikes. Hiking it all in one year seems arbitrary to me, though of course only you know the reasons for your goals. I hope your business picks up soon!