Discover how I was able to find peace within myself, by exploring more outside. Tips to help you use the outdoors to heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself.
Getting Outside to Get to Know Myself
I spent a lot of time outdoors growing up, but I wouldn’t say I was outdoorsy. My family took plenty of road trips, but we rarely camped, and day hikes were more of an occasional activity than a regular thing. So while I spent a lot of time outside—running around the backyard, riding my bike, or playing in the park—I didn’t truly connect with nature until I made the choice myself.
My interest in the outdoors started, admittedly, on social media. I followed people who were hiking, camping, and exploring places I had never even heard of, and I wanted to experience those landscapes firsthand. Truthfully, I didn’t start spending more time outside because I wanted some deep connection with nature—I just wanted to do and see cool shit.
That desire to see more of the world quickly became a driving force. I started planning all my free time around being outside, convincing friends to come on hikes I had only ever seen in photos and mapping out entire road trips based on places I had saved on Instagram. My camera roll filled up with stunning views and epic moments, but somewhere along the way, I realized something bigger was happening.
The more time I spent outside, the more at peace I felt with myself. Slowly, the outdoors became a space where my mind could quiet down, where I could truly live in the present instead of constantly thinking ahead. Over time, climbing mountains became less about capturing the perfect shot and more about proving to myself how strong and capable I was. The views were still incredible, but the feeling of pushing past my own limits—that was what stuck with me the most.
And somewhere between those km’s hiked, peaks reached, and trails wandered, I started seeing myself differently too. The outdoors wasn’t just where I explored new places—it was where I started to understand and appreciate myself in a whole new way.
Pushing & Surprising Myself
As much as I love the outdoors, I think a lot of my personal growth has come from the way nature has tested me. The moments that pushed me the hardest—physically and mentally—are the ones that built my confidence the most.
The Physical Push
I consider myself a fairly fit person. I go to the gym regularly, run occasionally, and try to keep a balanced lifestyle. But none of that seems to matter the second I hit the trails.
There have been plenty of hikes—some arguably easy—where I’ve huffed and puffed my way from start to finish. As miserable as it feels in the moment, the reward at the top always makes it worth it.
To this day, Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park remains the most physically demanding hike I’ve ever done. We set out, blissfully unaware of what we were getting ourselves into, carrying 40+ pounds of overnight gear. Though the trail is only 6 km (3.7 miles) one way, it gains a brutal 1,300m (4,265 ft) of elevation in that short stretch. I wanted to quit within the first kilometer.
The only thing that kept me going was counting my steps and sheer determination not to give up. Four grueling hours later, we finally reached the plateau. As the evening sun lit up the endless mountain views, I felt tears well up. Maybe it was exhaustion, maybe relief—but standing there, surrounded by the wild beauty I’d dreamt of for years, I felt nothing but gratitude. I was living the kind of adventure I had always hoped for.
The Mental Shove
As beautiful as the outdoors are, they are not designed for comfort. The moment you step outside, you surrender to nature’s unpredictability. No matter the season, you have to be prepared for whatever it throws at you—blazing sun, sudden downpours, biting cold, or relentless wind.
More times than I can count, my outdoor plans have been bombarded by bad weather. My first instinct, as I sit in my tent listening to the sky crack open with thunder and rain hammering against the fabric, is always the same: “I wish I were home. Why do I do this to myself?” But heading home isn’t an option when you’re miles deep into the wilderness. So I wait. I endure. And somewhere in that discomfort, I grow.
Pushing past those mental blocks—the urge to quit, the longing for warmth and familiarity—has made me stronger in ways I never expected. I’ve learned that I can handle more than I think. That fear, frustration, and exhaustion are just passing storms, and if I hold on long enough, they always clear. Each time I sit through the storm, lace up my boots the next morning, and keep going, I prove to myself that I’m capable of more. The outdoors test me, but they also shape me, carving out resilience with every challenge I face.
No Mirror, No Makeup, No Problem
I started wearing makeup when I was fourteen. I never wore a ton, but once I started, I felt like I couldn’t leave the house without it. Even a quick trip to the gym required at least a swipe of concealer and mascara. Without them, I felt exposed—like my bare face wasn’t enough.
In my twenties, as I spent more time outdoors, that mindset started to shift. At first, I still packed my trusty cover-up for hikes and adventures, feeling the need to apply it before stepping out into the world. But the more time I spent outside, the more I realized how impractical and unnecessary it was. Nature didn’t care what I looked like—so why did I?
That realization hit me hardest during a trip to the Canadian Rockies in 2021. I was in the middle of a brutal acne breakout and terrified at the thought of spending two weeks in a tent—no mirror, no foundation, no safety net. I worried about how I’d feel without the crutch of makeup, but once I got there, something unexpected happened. I stopped thinking about it. Between the towering peaks, crisp alpine air, and endless trails, my appearance became the least important thing.
When I got home and looked through my photos, I braced myself for the usual self-criticism. But instead of fixating on my skin, I saw something else—pure joy. I saw myself laughing, exploring, completely in the moment. And for the first time, I realized I looked beautiful. Not because of perfect skin or makeup, but because I was happy. Just me, fully present, fully free.
Confidence That Came Home With Me
The confidence I felt after conquering a tough trail or spending a night in the backcountry was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. These moments didn’t just make me feel strong—they made me feel capable of anything.
I realized that this feeling didn’t come from the difficulty of the hikes themselves, but from the fact that I had spent nearly a decade dreaming of doing them. The power and confidence I carried home weren’t about reaching summits—they were about proving to myself that I could turn my dreams into reality.
With this understanding, I started applying it to my everyday life. I found strength in taking steps toward my goals, and my confidence grew as I saw firsthand that I had the ability to create the life I had always imagined.
More Than Just an Escape
For many, the outdoors is an escape from the day-to-day. For me, nature has become more than just a getaway—it’s where I go to remind myself of who I am, what I love, and what I’m capable of.
Here are some ways you can use the outdoors to heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself:
Challenge Yourself
On your next outdoor adventure, take on a new challenge. Maybe you hike a trail longer or steeper than you’ve ever done before, try a new activity, or venture out solo for the first time. Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones.
Be Present
After snapping all the pictures and capturing every angle of your next summit, put the tech away for at least five minutes. Sit, breathe, and take in the moment. Let yourself truly be there and enjoy the experience.
Push Past the Uncomfortable
When the trail gets tough, the weather turns, or doubt creeps in, resist the urge to quit. Instead of viewing discomfort as something to avoid, see it as part of the experience. Strength and resilience are built in those moments when you choose to keep going.
Move at Your Own Pace
Not every outdoor experience needs to be about speed or endurance. Some days, a slow walk through a forest or sitting by a river can be just as powerful as an intense hike. Listen to what your mind and body need, and let nature meet you where you are.
I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had outdoors. Nature has shaped me into the person I am today, helping me rediscover self-love and confidence. My love for the outdoors helped me love myself again, and I hope you can find that same inner peace by getting outside.
