Who would have thought that YouTube would provide the answer to my personal quandary with regard to my life path!?
Having recently passed a "significant" birthday (one with a '0' in it!) I found myself reflecting on the years gone by, how quickly the time passes. In my mind I am still in my 20's or 30's, in my prime-time and full of ideas and energy - and sometimes I am only 12 and still know the feelings of excitement and thrill of new adventures.
In reality I am considerably older, with some on-going health issues that bother me. I thought about achievements gained and lost opportunities, about things I have done and things I wish I had done when I was younger.
The seesaw (or a teeter-totter) of emotions was palpable, as I sat contemplating my lot, by the campfire outside the wagon-by-the-woods. But I think I have found a kind of balancing point, at least it feels that way today.
I started to think about the things that had made me happiest, that made me feel good about life. This included the people, the places and the activities I enjoyed most. I realised that many of the people I have enjoyed spending time with are still here, some had passed, some had wandered off on their own paths, but there were still plenty of friends and loved ones around. Most of the places I had visited and enjoyed are all still here and could perhaps be visited again - and there are plenty of new places to find. Most of the activities I had thrived in were still doable, at some level. They were almost all based in Nature, the outdoors (hiking, backpacking, bush-crafts, camping, foraging, woodland wandering, beach combing etc.) - or in the Arts (music, art and crafts).
When I was young my favourite tales were the Famous 5 stories, Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Crusoe and any stories about explorers, adventurers and pioneers. They fuelled my imagination, and still do. The descriptions of the awe inspiring scenery were partly the appeal, but I now realise that it was their "triumph over adversity" that held the most appeal for me. The strength they gained from their weakest moments and the exhilaration on reaching their goals.
So it was that I found myself watching a number of YouTube videos created by some of todays adventurers and explorers. People challenging themselves to reach new levels, experience new things, to triumph over adversity. To feel their enthusiasm and zest for life, to witness the transformations that some of them experience along the way, to enjoy their moments of excitement and happiness and see the camaraderie that can develop between like minded people. It reminded me, I have experienced some of that in my life too, and still could.
It got me to thinking - why am I wasting my time regretting what I didn't do? Why am I not doing what I can still do? Why am I not making the most of it while I can?
Sure, I'm not likely to summit Everest this time around, but I can still climb a hill and appreciate the view. I can still travel and discover new places. I can still wander in the woodlands, my happiest place. I can build shelters and cook over the fire and get enthusiastic and excited about things if I want to! I can pick up a musical instrument and bang out a tune, even though I'm not being paid to do so anymore - the music goes on, there are new tunes to be written.
I realised that I have been allowing the health issues and uncertainties about my future to dissuade me from doing things that I am still capable of doing in the present. Damn it! I've been wasting time, wasting my time. Well "tick tock woman.... it's time to move your a***!"
One of the things I regretted was not keeping a record/diary about my time living on the land over the last 20+ years, here in my wagon - documenting my experiences, the pleasure it brings me when I am in nature, the highs and lows etc. Or my days of backpacking and hiking, what I enjoyed, what I learned along the way. I remember the experiences and lessons and still benefit from their teachings today. I still live in the wagon, I still enjoy bush-crafting and making things and, most of all, I still enjoying being outside in Nature more than inside, behind walls.
So, no time like the present! Inspired by other YouTube creators, I decided to create a channel where I can both keep a video record of my lifestyle (for my own future benefit) and share some of the lessons learned and experiences over the years, which may be beneficial to others. If just one other person enjoys these videos and benefits from them in some way, it encourages me to do more, to experience more, to share more, to get out there and keep on with it - while I still can. It inspires me to get on with it.
Who knows what tomorrow brings? It's all an adventure - you just have to be open to it - to see where the paths leads. It's early days, I have limited equipment and a lot to learn when it comes to being a "content creator" - but it's a new journey and I am once again enthusiastic about travelling a new path. To climb a mountain you have to start at the bottom, so here we go!
If you think you might be interesting in joining me on this new venture, or part-way along the journey, you can find my channel here
My intention is to share campfire recipes, foraging and bush-crafting tips, crafts, folklore and historical info and also the lessons I have learned from Mother Nature herself - intending to be realistic and honest about my way of life..... and whatever comes to mind over the coming months.
You are most welcome beside my virtual YouTube campfire.
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