If you are a regular reader, you will know I have joined a walking group of ladies of over 40. But if this is your first post, let me quickly fill you in. I walk with these ladies every Sunday, we walk at a different location each week. There are 6 of us who regularly walk now and then every now and then someone new joins in. Each walk is between 5-6km and we always choose the easier of the trails, the goal isn’t really to hike Everest, rather to be able to get outside, get fit and build a community.
A few weeks ago we did a walk that ended up being very tough, the route wasn’t well marked and we ended up walking 9km, but not just any 9km. It was 9km of elevation, in the sun and we weren’t 100% sure how long we would actually be walking. It wasn’t pleasant. But we made it and can now laugh about it.
When Daphne shared the details of the walk yesterday, it said “the routes are not well marked, you could walk 2km or 20km”. I went prepared. I had my back pack, my water and even some wine gums for a sugar boost. More importantly I was prepared to walk far (maybe not 20km but more than 6).
Halfway through the walk, we had reached the top of the mountain and were deciding whether to go back the way we came or continue into the unknown. (Spoiler: we picked the safe option and went back the way we came). I was chatting to the co-founder of the group, she doesn’t physically arrange the weekly walks, that is Daphne’s role. I discovered during out talk, she doesn’t do any prep work for the walk, she checks where the walk is on the Friday and that’s it. She doesn’t check the route or where we are having coffee afterwards – she just goes with it.
I was a little horrified. I am a planner – I check the walks for the month on the website to see if I know them or not and how far they are. When the info is shared on our whatsapp group, usually a Thursday, I google maps it, if there is a website I check it out, see how far the trails are, read reviews, figure out the elevation and then if we are going somewhere different for coffee, I check that out too. I check out who responds to the hike so I can mentally prepare to meet new people.
I PREPARE!
Rene does not. When we were talking about it she said “I am old enough to know that things always work out so I don’t prepare.”
I thought about this the rest of the walk.
I also know things work out. I have been through enough to know that too – divorce, job loss, financial strain, loss – I know, in my soul, things work out. BUT I still plan and prepare. Admittedly not so much as I did before but I still do like to feel like I have some control.
It was another reminder though that it’s ok to let go of control, to just go where the road takes you. To trust the journey because it does all work out in the end.
Fortunately we do not walk 20km. We reached the top of the mountain at exactly 3km, making it easy to turn around and go back the way we came. A part of me was a little disappointed we didn’t go on more of an adventure but it was beautiful walk.
What lessons have you learnt this week.
I’d want to know where I would be walking and have an idea of difficulty ahead of time. It sounds like a great group. #MMBC
That’s really made me think, too. I am a planner and often try to plan too far ahead and tie myself in knots worrying about future events. I hope one day I can learn to just have faith that everything will work out.
It sounds like you really enjoyed your walk this week.
Yes, control, the invisible chain that binds us! I am glad you had a great day out with your group, often that is what we need to relax and regain our smile. #MMBC
The hiking group sounds wonderful and sounds like a great way to get out and meet new people too.
I am a planner too and couldn’t just wing it. I need to know everything about what I am going into. My fella keeps telling me to chill out but I am not built that way. lol
I feel like this is one of those lessons I continually need to keep learning because I too can obsessively plan and research too. I’m trying really hard to just go with the flow more.