In my high school yearbook’s “This OR That” Column, I once opined when presented with the choice between a hotel or camping that “my idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn” and I meant it. I have been notoriously INDOORSY. When we’d go around a conference table at work and my co-workers would share that their passion for environmental policy/compliance work was grounded in a deep and abiding love of being outdoors, I didn’t connect. Sure the nature photos are beautiful, but couldn’t I appreciate the majesty from a climate-controlled SUV? I contended that if I hated the outdoors, it was only right and just because nature hated me more. I am after all, a women who got Lyme Disease at an outdoor wedding. I sweat a LOT, I can get sunburnt in the dark, and I am irresistible to bugs. It’s not that I’m super prissy, I’m perfectly willing to get my hands dirty on a DIY project. I just wasn’t comfortable and didn’t enjoy being outside unless fully submerged in water. I even worked hard to avoid outdoor dining.

But guys, something has changed.

We’re coming up on two months living in Colorado, and my relationship with being outside is entirely different. My husband who has always enjoyed the great outdoors, and tried to lovingly push at the boundaries of my aversions is now enjoying a family life he probably thought impossible! We walk outside every night and we go hiking every weekend! And I love it! I’m not a reluctant participant, I’m eagerly helping plan and anticipating our next adventure. It’s bizarre! When we visited Rainbow Falls the water temp was 54 degrees, and I still took off my feet picked up Charlie and climbed over a bunch of rough rocks to get us the full falls experience!

I’m sure it helps that Colorado in August and September is very nearly heaven. It is sunny, there is no humidity, and it’s not devil’s armpit hot. But I cannot write-off this new found interest to better weather, because I’m loving it even on the hot, cold, and windy days. Now in the interest of candor, it is important to note that our hikes are much closer to nature walks than to scaling mountains and we try to stay to trails that we can maneuver our jogging stroller through, but still we’re racking up some serious miles. Yes, the incredible mountain vistas and clear air also help, but this didn’t happen by accident. I changed my preferences and beliefs about myself intentionally.

I wanted to be someone who wanted to be outside, so I’ve made it happen! It’s a powerful lesson not to argue for my own limitations. How much did I miss out on by digging into a belief that I hate being outside? All I had to do was open back up. Instead of mentally or audibly responding “eww” or “I hate it” I just made room for, “I can try it” and “let’s see how it goes.” I worked on reminding myself that I could always turn around if I needed to and that I am unlikely to die from a few minutes of discomfort. I connected to my WHYs for pushing myself a little bit outside of my comfort zone (1) I want to be a healthier version of myself for my family 2) I want to connect with my family free of screens 3) Doing this means a lot to someone who means a lot to me (Aaron) and 4)If not now, when? COVID makes most of the things I enjoy riskier or impossible, so it seemed like a perfect time to cultivate a socially-distant hobby.

I can’t wait to see where I go next, both on hikes and by way of growth. It feels so DAMN good to realize that even at 36 I am not a fixed being incapable of change. I can keep growing toward the light!

So with that I’ll ask for any recommendations on your favorite beginner/easy/family-friendly hiking destinations in the comments or your own stories of growth and triumph!