by chickadee » Sat Jun 03, 2017 12:06 pm
I may have posted on this topic before; if so, sorry for repeating myself, but another year, a similar issue. I've just lost my impetus for hillwalking. I love it when I do it, but I have been out of action for a while now, because last year I had a distance learning course to do in addition to my full-time job, so weekends weren't really allowed for fun. I have my free time back again, but I've been finding it hard to give myself the kick to get back out and properly do some hills. I haven't done that many yet that aren't 'straightforward'; I did a navigation course a few years ago but I'd need to refresh that, I think, before tackling any of the tricker hills. I went out with a friend before Christmas to do Beinn Each and that was great, I'd forgotten what it even felt like to explore somewhere new.
My problem is I do much of my walking and exploring solo. I don't mind this as I'm naturally introverted and happy in my own company, although I think nowadays I wouldn't mind finding a couple of friends to do this with – my usual buddy is in a new relationship so that's him out of my life for the next few months at least, ha! I don't mind doing my own thing if need be but it makes the motivation part a bit harder in my experience. I keep thinking about buying a tent so I can start camping (I'd just car camp to begin with) and I've posted about this before here and still have not done it! No tent, no solo camp, and I've wanted to do it for over two years now. I don't know what's stopping me from doing what I used to love. I guess maybe it's like a break from anything, you maybe get a bit antsy whereas before you didn't think about it. I don't know.
Not even sure what my point is or if I have a question... I guess if anyone has ever felt a similar way it would be good to know I'm not just really weird! I've almost decided I'm going to go out somewhere tomorrow, even just a wee hill, and try to kickstart things again. I think also because there's now so much gear and so many things I don't own I always worried I'm not fully prepared. But I have waterproofs, a compass, good boots, a good rucksack, plenty of walking clothes...
I just don't know what I'm scared of!