Thoughts from a Mindful Walk

Lately I’ve been feeling a deep craving to go out hillwalking, yet I can always think of numerous excuses that make going for a walk all a bit too complicated: weather, terrain, gear, time. There are many obstacles that seem to get in the way, despite the proximity that I live to the Peak District and the passion that I have for the rugged moors and rolling hills. And so, I know deep down, there must be something more to it than that…

Something that I have loved about lockdown is the simplicity. “Stay at home”, they said, and so we did. And I came to love a whole lot of things about staying at home; but mostly the time I had, the feeling of presence, and the calmness of being still. I explored developing a deeper relationship with the natural world in my garden and the local woods and farm fields through simple daily rituals like grounding, journaling in the morning sun with the birds, and walking barefoot around the garden each evening with a cup of ginger tea.

Through those simple daily practises, I found I could get a lot from nature, more so than ever before; by simply being more present, mindful and compassionate towards the land on which I live. It really felt like a process of going back to my roots, stripping down the layers, gear, tech and complication of getting outside and just being there. Through this process, my need to “escape” into the hills all but diminished.

But, I love the hills; their rugged wildness, craggy peaks, and the feeling I have of freedom when I am walking in them. But, I wonder, why does it all have to be so complicated? Of course, there is an important reason to consider things like gear, weather, terrain and skill when going hillwalking — safety. Simply heading into the hills without the right clothing, a map and compass and some idea of the weather would be foolish and dangerous, and something I certainly wouldn’t want to encourage. But I also think that just you and your skill level is the most important thing when going walking, and that a lot of what brands and the outdoor market tell us to buy is just excessive.

I will also be the first to admit that my presence online as an outdoor blogger is likely adding to the noise — providing you with so many places you could go and gear you could buy. But honestly, I really don’t want that to be the case. I want my content to inspire and educate you, while also simplifying the process of getting the right gear to go outside. This is something I am working on being more mindful of, and I will write a whole blogpost about in the future. But, for now, let’s go back to this idea of simplicity…

The simple practise of connecting with nature at home made me realise that I wanted to establish a new relationship with the outdoors. I don’t want the hills to be my playground, but rather I want our relationship to be interconnected. If I take from nature, I want to ensure I am giving back. I want my presence online to make going outside easier for you; providing you with outdoor skills, offering advice on places to visit and what to wear, rather than adding to the chaos. I also want to help you feel a deeper connection to the land on which you live through the words I write that evoke a feeling. I don’t want you to feel pressured to go out into the hills, because sometimes honestly I’d rather just stay at home and do some gardening. Essentially, I want to strip everything back and simplify…

So, when the hills call again, I will go to them but in a way that feels right for both me and nature. And when I share my adventures from the hills and mountains of the UK, I will be mindful of its impact. I will do my best not to add to the noise, the pressure to do the biggest walk with the most beautiful views, the excess need to buy more gear; but instead to inspire, educate and advise on how you can simply go walking, be mindful, and feel connected to Mother Earth in its most pure and natural form.

Athena x