Our family is less than 2 months away from Damien's last day at work. The weeks and days sometimes seem beyond full. Both of us adults have our regular work commitments. Damien's job as a computer programmer/systems analyst at the college. And my job of home management, cooking, home education and child raising.
On top of this already full time work we are downsizing our belongings, renovating the house, and getting ready to earn an income from home once we move.
It's a lot and it's about as much as I can possibly take. The last time I remember going through such an intense season of life with a big deadline looming was twelve years ago when I was finishing my degree, student teaching and in the third trimester of pregnancy with Celine. That too was almost as much as I could take. But you know what? I survived. I'll survive this too. (At least this is what I keep telling myself).
It's necessary when you go through an extended period of intense focus and activity to let a few things slide. Here's just a few compromises we've made to stay sane and healthy during this difficult period.
Something we are not willing to compromise though are our weekend hikes - our commitment to spend one day a week together outdoors.
Except for extreme circumstances or terribly inclement weather that threatens our safety and poses real discomfort we have stayed true to being outdoors one day a week together. Even through these difficult winter months of moving preparation.
- Has this been easy? Heck No!
- Do I question this steadfast decision each weekend as we scramble to get ourselves out the door? Almost always.
- Looking back on each weekend do I regret one minute we've spent hiking together when we could have been painting, packing, writing, or cooking? Not a chance.
It occured to me a couple weeks ago while on the trail that our weekly hikes are like the reset button on our life. We often hit the trailhead a little wound up from the week's hectic pace, sometimes burdened with stress and worry.
But there is something about the physical exertion, the beauty of nature, and the conversations we have on the trail that takes us back to center. When the balancing act of home life, employment and moving preparation feels near the edge of chaos our time in nature puts everything in its proper place and gives perspective.
Our regular weekend hikes pull us back from the edge and set us firmly on the path of "stay focused, keep dreaming, this too shall pass, remember to breathe, trust, and enjoy the journey".
For me, it's like hitting the reset button on life.
Can you relate? What does your family do to hit the reset button and help you stay on course, especially during a difficult season of life?
Photos from yesterday's (spring is coming!) hike at Camden Hills State Park in Maine.
Comments
barefoot in the park
Barefoot in the Park is the title of a movie that I acted out when I was in high school. The scene was of the couple arguing and talking about divorce. I did pretty well back then, but little did I know that it would become more real later on in my life.
I am married to the most beautiful woman I know, and I have got to say that we do get into it often; At least more often than one would like. And ironically, one way that her and I ‘hit the reset button’ is to go jogging. The barefooting is a new adventure. Never before had I enjoyed jogging, much less exercise. I’m an overweight man that can still enjoy this wonderful activity.
I can’t wait for it to be warm enough to throw off these [water] shoes!
Hiking
Oh,it's really great that you guys manage to go hiking every week. Think, hiking is one of the best ways to relax.
I wish our family lived near
I wish our family lived near such beautiful sceanery in Maine! WOW! When our family needs reset we just try to get outdoors even if it's our yard. During the summer I try to take my kids to our local botanical garden for a long walk. Something about the fresh air and open space gives all a chance to get centered.
I hear you
We are in a similar situation: We are selling our house, so fixing it up and trying to keep it clean (with 2.5 and 4-year-old boys) for showings. Since we are moving into a 5th wheel trailer, we are seriously downsizing. We are going through everything and giving some to friends, selling on Craigslist, taking to the consignment store, dropping off at the thrift store.... and I thought we didn't have that much stuff! We both work full time and do have the kids at daycare two days a week, but do lots with them the rest of the week.
And like you, we insist on an all day outdoors at least once a week. We get outside everyday, but once or twice on the weekend we go big. This weekend that meant soaking in hot springs in Yellowstone. It's just a half mile hike each way, which is about what we can count on the two-year-old for, then sitting in hot water, gazing at the mountains, throwing rocks into the river with the boys....it definitely makes up for a busy week!
Hang in the there and don't be too hard on yourself if everything on your "list" doesn't get done!
Oh, I hear you on going
Oh, I hear you on going through everything, listing on craigslists, and trips to the thrift store. Rinse, lather and repeat. The story of my life right now (smile).
I totally agree. I've often
I totally agree. I've often thought that my time spent outdoors is my reset button. I return more relaxed, more able to cope with stress, and more grounded.
We're going through a similar process. We're moving back from the US to Europe in December, and while that's a long way away, we're also having a baby in July, and have to find work for when we get back there (which includes potentially moving again to another unknown place), so it's a lot of planning and insecurity. Sometimes it overwhelms me, but then I have to step back, let a few things slide, and remember not everything has to be done at the same time. And if I can get out for a few hours, or a night, it helps a lot.
lots of moving going on
Sounds like a common theme. Getting ready to move and continuing with outdoor pursuits. Letting things go and being ok with it all. Thanks for sharing your perspectives.
Such a familiar story!
We're downsizing to a smaller place next month...in preparation to move 6500 miles away at the end of the year and with the goal of being fully location independent by then. It's chaos. And with 4 yo twins (one of which is high needs), it's been so incredibly stressful. And we're just getting started!
Somehow, I have to find the time to work, write, coach, develop products and engage with others on some intelligent level. Um...yeah, sure.
I don't envy you your task ahead. But, I am so glad to find out that we're not the only family going through this!
Can I relate?
HEck yeah I can relate! We run a hiking / biking tour business for mostly foreign clients in a country that has just suffered a terrible earthquake and tsunami, and now a nuclear disaster rated at Chernobyl levels has travel advisories against going to Japan from all other countries. Every client we had booked for this spring at least has cancelled. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention the small town we live in and have been using as our base also had a big quake and we spent two weeks in a shelter before being allowed to go home and start getting back to normal, but the population may be cut in half when people who have lost their homes move away. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we are just coming off of a one year break from work (no income for that year) because we have a 1.5 year old we decided to take paternal leave "knowing" we could make up for it this year (oops). Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that one week ago we just took in an 11-year-old foster child (my wife's niece, who was having troubles at home).
Loss of work, two new children in one year, partially damaged home, daily aftershocks, dying village, handling friends and family in the US constantly worried about us... man I can't wait to get out there on the trail. BTW we are all fine and healthy and laughing and playing in our free time. :)
Thank you for the inspiration. I have long thought of making a thru hike following the border of our village and later our prefecture. It would only take about a week or more to do the border of the village, but maybe a good way to fill time and make a fund-raising event out of it. Maybe now is the time.
Thank you.
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