slowing down

slowing down

One of the big things I aim to work on during this trip is how to slow down and relax. Today, while I finished with my errands and last minute packing, I had to remind myself that the lesson starts now.

My original plan was to leave today. I set 2:00pm leave time as my cut-off. If I didn’t get all my stuff done by 2pm, I would stay one more night. I don’t want to set up after dark, and where I want to head for my first night is about three hours away. Around 2pm today, I was mostly done and started to feel really stressed out. My plan was to stop at Trader Joes (since I ran out of eggs for breakfast), and to fill my spare gas can and top off the truck on my way out. But between that, loading the last few things including the dogs, and doing a last minute check-over, I calculated another half an hour at least.

The last thing I want to do setting off on this momentous trip is to rush myself. There is no need for that. One more day isn’t going to change any plans or cause delays.

Once I remembered that, I felt the stress lessen. It’s good to remember when heading out on a trip to stop and breathe and let yourself have the time you need. I took Argos for a walk and run, and played with Pugsly. This evening, I’ll plan out some new trails from a book my wonderful neighbors gave me as a going away present.

The only way this adventure – or any adventure – works is to slow down, keep focused on what is right here, and make loose plans for the future. Because you can’t predict what’s around the bend.

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