Creating your own trail is about following your own adventure. Setting aflame that spark in your heart. From my four amazing, humbling years on the trail, here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

1. Things don’t always go as you plan. Flat tires. Road closures. Flight delays. Wrong flight booked. Rainstorms. Thunderstorms. Wildfires. Mexican parties. Lost luggage. Leaking water bottle on a two day trek. It’s okay. Breathe. Things will work out and you’ll be where you need to be in order to learn while being on the trail.

2. The best trails are the ones we create. You don’t need step by step guide telling you everything you need to see, do, or stop at along the way. Create your own routes. Choose your own destinations. Form your own multi-sport hike-scramble-raft adventure using a map and information online or from a guide book. Don’t be afraid to venture where no one has been.

3. Be open to the opportunities on the trail. You never know who you’ll meet or what events may unfold on your journey. Leave time, space, and flexibility to be open to the opportunities that present themselves on the trail. Don’t forget your headlamp and fire-starter.

4. Sometimes creating your own trail means pushing past boundaries. You may be faced with some walls here and there. That’s okay. Grab a hammer and pummel through. You’re stronger than you think, you’re tougher than you think, and you will get through a lot more than you think. It’s all a part of the learning and growing process of life on the trail.

5. Don’t be afraid to take a timeout when things get too much. Reflecting is a part of making sure you’re still on the trail you want to be. I’ve found journaling, meditating, and spending time by bodies of water have all helped me to reflect on my current path and allowed me to evaluate if it’s still taking me where I want to be. You learn a lot on the trail, and with new experiences and new memories, sometimes a new trail appears.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to have fun! 😉 #CreateYourTrail