Are you able to forget life at home?

[Gorgiewave]

All those of you who've done long hikes, do you forget life back at home? I mean work, mortgage, evan family. Do you want to forget about all that when hiking?

I've got a few things going on right now that are getting me seriously down and I'd like to forget about it all. I don't mean literally run away from something, as in debt or something, just general unhappiness.

Or does time alone force you to think more about stuff than when you're "busy."

[ghostman74]

All those of you who've done long hikes, do you forget life back at home?

Nope.

I mean work, mortgage, evan family. Do you want to forget about all that when hiking?

This seems to be a prime mover for a lot of thru-hikers. For me, when I got back into backpacking, I was using the time to figure out a lot of things that were going on back home. For some, they either use the time that way, or they try to escape everything temporarily. Some even try to escape permanently. Most folks seem to somewhere on the spectrum of having fun and escapism. So having these thoughts seem to fall in with the definition of “normal”.

I've got a few things going on right now that are getting me seriously down and I'd like to forget about it all. I don't mean literally run away from something, as in debt or something, just general unhappiness.

Or does time alone force you to think more about stuff than when you're "busy."

Maybe this can help. For folks that want to escape, whatever means is used... backpacking, driving, sports, drugs, etc. ... eventually they have to face the situation. If getting out in the woods is the way you do face the situation? The do it. If getting out in the woods is how you try to get out of a bad situation, that situation will be waiting for you when you get back. There’s generally no harm in using the time in the woods to figure out how to cope with it when you get back, though. I used to bring books, a journal and pencil. It gave me time to read about other people dealing with similar situations, journal my thoughts, and reflect on them. Then when I got back my head was generally clear to tackle the situation. Your results may vary.

No matter what... do what works for you. Hike your own hike.

Hike on!

Ghost.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shelb]

Long hikes provide some respite for me - but not avoidance. I still reflect on the problems; however, they do not seem as immediate, and I can look at them a bit more objectively and develop a plan regarding how to tackle them upon my return...

[Starchild]

If you do it right it is your life, your home. You remember those back off trail, yes, but you are in the right place and at the right time.

[jefals]

that's one reason I can't do hikes longer than about 3 weeks. Start missin the grandkids too much!

[peakbagger]

I think things have changed with technology, looks like these days hikers are far more prone to be in contact with home via technology.

[Dogwood]

The majority of the repeat offender LD hikers, "livin' the LD hiking life" I know, myself included, aren't seeking to run away from commitments and personal responsibility or their non hiking life. Quite the contrary. They interconnect their hiking and non hiking lives. Some aspects of "home life" can and often do fade into the grey background as a new home LIFE with new aspects are adapted to...the life of a traveler, trail life, even if it is only truly "long(er) term" temporary.



The escapism mis-labeling is a misconception often based on different people having different goals and values with people judging others through a narrowed sometimes intolerant framework of their own values, goals, culturalization, sense of Nationalism, socioeconomic status, and processes of prioritization. Repeat LD hikers generally are not in the habit of incessant worrying or being fearful either on or off trail. Therefore, they generally aren't LD hiking to get away from these possible unnecessary stressful aspects of "at home life"... if that's what's meant by forgetting life back home. They aren't so much into escapism...vegging out from life...but living LIFE more fully... as they define it. They tend to intentionally embrace different goals, goals that sometimes, and often, confront cultural or other norms. They can't be conveniently neatly categorized as "being in a transitional phase" either as some have the habit of saying.


Almost all those who opt to be regular LD hikers I've known, including myself, rank very high as being self actualized. https://www.verywellmind.com/charact...people-2795963 These 9 Characteristics of Self Actualized People aptly apply to long time regular LD hikers.


It takes commitments to creativity, organization, personal responsibility, prioritizing of goals, and adaptability to live and think unconventionally at a personally reasonable standard of living(at least for myself). Don't expect to LD hike regularly as a vehicle to escape yourself or life's personal issues! As said, wherever you go there you are. Consider hiking as a vehicle to perhaps more soberly direct LIFE with intention.

[rocketsocks]

“Turn on tune in drop out”

[MuddyWaters]

Nothing i need to forget at home.

You cant run from problems

Work....i keep compartmentalized.
I rarely think about work when i walk out door.
I used to be in plant operations, it was 24-7 responsibility.
I gave that career track up....for my time, my kids lives, and peace of mind.

[illabelle]

A backpack trip, whether it's a weekend, or months long, has two elements that help with the "problems back home" situation. Time and Distance.
Time, uninterrupted by work, chores, TV, etc. When you're walking for hours each day, you have the luxury of thinking things through to their conclusion.
Distance, separation from the problem and people associated with it. Distance can give you a perspective you might not have at home.

On the other hand, the change of scenery and the never-ending task of watching where you put your feet and watching for blazes can be a welcome distraction from the problems. Just walk and let your head fill up with images of trees and clouds and dirt and rocks - sorta crowds out the negativity if you let it.

[rocketsocks]

“Turn on tune in drop out”

whoops, forgot to add a

[garlic08]

I'll add my "no" to the chorus. I love my family and friends, and am proud of my work, and would never forget them.

When I leave on a hike, I often "dedicate" the effort of the hike to someone in my mind at that time, perhaps someone who's ailing and couldn't join me.

[Tipi Walter]

It should be: "When you're at home, do you forget life back in the woods??"

There's another spectrum of human beings who hike and backpack and live out all the time---people like Christine Thuermer aka German Tourist and others. Then there are scores of American individuals who live outdoors 24/7; in tents or tipis or wall tents or wigwams or yurts or whatever else. No electricity, no running water, few to zero bills etc. Their home is where they hike.

The few hours a week they may have to work for cash---folding money---are hours spent when they are thinking about their homes in the woods.

[Crossup]

Well said.
I would just add that the simple trail life has its attractions but also helps me appreciate the trade offs we make to have comfort, transportation and support from family and friends. For me its a pretty short step while on the trail to really understand what it would be like to be cold, alone, isolated and maybe hungry- this is of course an illusion, on the AT at least, as you are never really far from civilization and all that it means.

A backpack trip, whether it's a weekend, or months long, has two elements that help with the "problems back home" situation. Time and Distance.
Time, uninterrupted by work, chores, TV, etc. When you're walking for hours each day, you have the luxury of thinking things through to their conclusion.
Distance, separation from the problem and people associated with it. Distance can give you a perspective you might not have at home.

On the other hand, the change of scenery and the never-ending task of watching where you put your feet and watching for blazes can be a welcome distraction from the problems. Just walk and let your head fill up with images of trees and clouds and dirt and rocks - sorta crowds out the negativity if you let it.

[capehiker]

On my thru hike, I had a girlfriend who cried on every phone call and made my life miserable and instilled a sense of guilt for doing what I dreamt of long before I met her. She was no longer my girlfriend by Fontana.

My current girlfriend is the exact opposite and tells me not to call/text her when I’m out unless it’s an emergency. She gets what it means to have a passion as she has hers. I’ve learned to leave work at work and I live a very simple and drama free life now. When I get into the woods, I can leave the home life behind but I often find myself thinking of adventures I want to take my gf on.

[Nodust]

I’ve done a few two week 200 mile hikes. Even on that short of a hike I get to the point where all I think about is where to sleep, poop, and get water.

Work will feel light years away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rocketsocks]

If ya gotta forget home to go hike...better get your livin’ right! Dosent have to be either or, like many things in life...balance, ying and yang, and all that schtuff.

[Davem]

It takes me about a week to get past that and then I’m good as long as I don’t hear any problems from home.

[shelb]

I have only done up to 3 weeks. I don't totally forget life at home; however, I do "destress" from the issues there!

[evyck da fleet]

I think about home when I hit a town for resupply. I’ll usually call or text someone to say I’m alive and there’s the whole check to make sure the bills are paid. But it’s brief. Sometimes it’s nice to reach out but when I’m gone I’m gone until I’m back.

Now with all the time alone to think home does pop into my head occasionally but there’s very little I can change about it while I’m on the trail. Yes having everything in order before I go with a plan when I get back makes it real easy to think about something else like the noises or lack thereof around me.