The noise is what I always try to tame. Walking, alone with my thoughts, allows me the space to feel the noise and then push it back, control it. Acknowledging it, recognising it gives me the strength to not get sucked it. Indeed you have a point here, as usual.
I love this Stephen 😊 I thoroughly enjoy my own company and wandering around my own neighborhood lately. I admire you for hiking solo. There is something so peaceful about being in nature 🌿 Thank you for sharing this reflection!
Thank you for this comment. Being at peace with ourselves and our own company is highly underrated when it comes to challenging oneself. Would you ever do a solo mountain hike? I have a feeling you would get a lot out of it.
I agree Steven 🙌 I truly think this is the best way to get to know ourselves on a deep level. I would really like to say yes, but I think I would be too worried about getting approached by a bear where I live honestly 😂🐻 I am sure it would be amazing though 👌 Maybe I could muster up the courage someday 🤭
And I can understand that is an important consideration. I had a near miss with a big cat one time night hiking alone in Scotland. It does make you hesitate. Maybe you find an easy active trail so you can still go solo but there are other people around. And just build up your confidence. 🙂
Thanks so much, Steven. It’s brilliant to connect and yes - please come say hi if you see Doris and her spaniel crew! Best of luck with the book and your travels. We will be watching your progress and look forward to reading more of your wild highland notes on here. Safe travels and keep up with those terrific photos! 🚐🏔️
This is great - thanks Steven. Your description of standing in a grey nothing while the internal noise slowly burns itself out really resonates with me.
We write travel stories from the Inner Hebrides, from our self-built campervan, Doris. Navigating the unpredictable single-track roads of the west coast can have a similar effect. But pushing through is exactly how you find that beautiful, 'clean empty' stillness.
Thank you for such a meaningful, visually grounding article. It is good to take a step back to reflect. Stay safe.
Great to connect with you and thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Your content and lifestyle is of great appeal to me and I spend a lot of my time on the road with the book so no doubt we are travelling the same roads often. I shall be on the look out for Doris from now on🙂
I have no problem with the noise in my head... it's the noises in the bush beside me signalling a possible bear in the area that keep me from hiking alone. I used to wander alone so freely when I lived on an island. Now the fear of large predators has stolen that precious alone time from me. So, I find it in other places.. still in nature, just not where I truly want to wander in solitude.
Dare I say I laughed out loud reading this article? 🫢
You're probably already aware of this, but you have a real talent for writing. What sets you apart, though, is the way you weave self-deprecating humour into serious topics. Personally, it lands with me every time 😂
As for what hiking alone in nature does for me... well, the conversations I have with myself out loud when I'm out there all alone aren't exactly glamorous. 😄 But, let's say they keep me company and, more often than not, help me move forward in life.
I can entirely relate to this Steven. I have always hiked alone. I enjoy that space that is created, the noise that come and clears. When the weather turns wild, that too is where a deep inner craziness thrives on that feeling. Alone, isolated in the wilderness. It engages the mind like nothing else. My choices now matter. That feeling of being so small and insignificant in nature fills me with a sense of humblness. There are no safety nets here.
I spent a week hiking in the Cairngorms with two work colleagues a couple of years ago in November. It was good, I enjoyed it but having been a solo hiker for so many years, I found it stressful in many aspects. I enjoyed the moments I had to myself, I realised how precious I found that time to myself while alone in the wilderness on a day we were heading up to the Hutchison Bothy. However, there were times where sharing some laughs felt valuable. Moments of harmless silly choices made unforgettable memories and real shared laugher. The company can be great but I feel I often prefer to be alone when I hike.
Thanks for this comment. Company is great in lots of ways. I always prefer company when I’m camping but hiking just feels more immersive when it’s done solo. And I totally get what you say about it being a bit stressful hiking with others at times. I tend to get a march on when I’m hiking and see it as a workout. I’m just locked in especially on the ascent and my brain doesn’t cope well having to stop for others when I want to push on. And likewise for them, they want to take their time and maybe their fitness levels aren’t the same as mine so it all adds up to make it less enjoyable.
It’s true a walk around the neighborhood doesn’t do the same thing, I love solo hiking for all the reasons you described. Yeah in recent years, I’ve fallen out of prioritizing it. And it’s funny the longer I’ve gone without doing it louder my brain gets when I do do it. This was really motivating to make it a regular habit, because I know that feeling of clarity you’re talking about in my soul craves it, but I have to enter the darkness that comes up on the trail and meet myself there.
I think that’s the real beauty in it. That feeling of conquering yourself in a way, calming the mind or whatever, and just immersing yourself in the environment.
Agree. It’s not better or worse. Just different and lands in a different way. I do think the absence of distractions, whether people or technology even, can be very beneficial at times.
“ I’ve learned, the slow and slightly stubborn way, that if you just keep putting one boot in front of the other, the noise burns itself out. Not because you resolved anything. It’s more that the sheer physical effort of the walk eventually outcompetes the mental chatter for your attention, and what’s left underneath is quieter than anything you get at home with four walls and a phone.”
Completely relate to everything you said. Soon will be in North West and can’t wait to experience solitude again. I only ever hike alone.
The noise is what I always try to tame. Walking, alone with my thoughts, allows me the space to feel the noise and then push it back, control it. Acknowledging it, recognising it gives me the strength to not get sucked it. Indeed you have a point here, as usual.
I love this Stephen 😊 I thoroughly enjoy my own company and wandering around my own neighborhood lately. I admire you for hiking solo. There is something so peaceful about being in nature 🌿 Thank you for sharing this reflection!
Thank you for this comment. Being at peace with ourselves and our own company is highly underrated when it comes to challenging oneself. Would you ever do a solo mountain hike? I have a feeling you would get a lot out of it.
I agree Steven 🙌 I truly think this is the best way to get to know ourselves on a deep level. I would really like to say yes, but I think I would be too worried about getting approached by a bear where I live honestly 😂🐻 I am sure it would be amazing though 👌 Maybe I could muster up the courage someday 🤭
And I can understand that is an important consideration. I had a near miss with a big cat one time night hiking alone in Scotland. It does make you hesitate. Maybe you find an easy active trail so you can still go solo but there are other people around. And just build up your confidence. 🙂
That sounds like a great place to start! I may just have to do that ☺️🫶
Thanks so much, Steven. It’s brilliant to connect and yes - please come say hi if you see Doris and her spaniel crew! Best of luck with the book and your travels. We will be watching your progress and look forward to reading more of your wild highland notes on here. Safe travels and keep up with those terrific photos! 🚐🏔️
This is great - thanks Steven. Your description of standing in a grey nothing while the internal noise slowly burns itself out really resonates with me.
We write travel stories from the Inner Hebrides, from our self-built campervan, Doris. Navigating the unpredictable single-track roads of the west coast can have a similar effect. But pushing through is exactly how you find that beautiful, 'clean empty' stillness.
Thank you for such a meaningful, visually grounding article. It is good to take a step back to reflect. Stay safe.
Great to connect with you and thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Your content and lifestyle is of great appeal to me and I spend a lot of my time on the road with the book so no doubt we are travelling the same roads often. I shall be on the look out for Doris from now on🙂
I have no problem with the noise in my head... it's the noises in the bush beside me signalling a possible bear in the area that keep me from hiking alone. I used to wander alone so freely when I lived on an island. Now the fear of large predators has stolen that precious alone time from me. So, I find it in other places.. still in nature, just not where I truly want to wander in solitude.
That’s a valid reason for sure. Maybe you could pick an easy trail to go solo but there are other people around for peace of mind.
Dare I say I laughed out loud reading this article? 🫢
You're probably already aware of this, but you have a real talent for writing. What sets you apart, though, is the way you weave self-deprecating humour into serious topics. Personally, it lands with me every time 😂
As for what hiking alone in nature does for me... well, the conversations I have with myself out loud when I'm out there all alone aren't exactly glamorous. 😄 But, let's say they keep me company and, more often than not, help me move forward in life.
Haha. I appreciate you for all your comments like these. They make me smile every time 🙂
Tant mieux if they make you laugh! Life deserves a bit of our lightheartedness, doesn’t it?!
It sure does!
I can entirely relate to this Steven. I have always hiked alone. I enjoy that space that is created, the noise that come and clears. When the weather turns wild, that too is where a deep inner craziness thrives on that feeling. Alone, isolated in the wilderness. It engages the mind like nothing else. My choices now matter. That feeling of being so small and insignificant in nature fills me with a sense of humblness. There are no safety nets here.
I spent a week hiking in the Cairngorms with two work colleagues a couple of years ago in November. It was good, I enjoyed it but having been a solo hiker for so many years, I found it stressful in many aspects. I enjoyed the moments I had to myself, I realised how precious I found that time to myself while alone in the wilderness on a day we were heading up to the Hutchison Bothy. However, there were times where sharing some laughs felt valuable. Moments of harmless silly choices made unforgettable memories and real shared laugher. The company can be great but I feel I often prefer to be alone when I hike.
Thanks for this comment. Company is great in lots of ways. I always prefer company when I’m camping but hiking just feels more immersive when it’s done solo. And I totally get what you say about it being a bit stressful hiking with others at times. I tend to get a march on when I’m hiking and see it as a workout. I’m just locked in especially on the ascent and my brain doesn’t cope well having to stop for others when I want to push on. And likewise for them, they want to take their time and maybe their fitness levels aren’t the same as mine so it all adds up to make it less enjoyable.
Yes, I’ll take that invite. I do want to see what happens after 40 mins! 🙏🏼
It’s true a walk around the neighborhood doesn’t do the same thing, I love solo hiking for all the reasons you described. Yeah in recent years, I’ve fallen out of prioritizing it. And it’s funny the longer I’ve gone without doing it louder my brain gets when I do do it. This was really motivating to make it a regular habit, because I know that feeling of clarity you’re talking about in my soul craves it, but I have to enter the darkness that comes up on the trail and meet myself there.
I think that’s the real beauty in it. That feeling of conquering yourself in a way, calming the mind or whatever, and just immersing yourself in the environment.
I relate to this. For me being alone in the wilds is not better or worse than being with others in the wilds. But different, and worth doing.
Agree. It’s not better or worse. Just different and lands in a different way. I do think the absence of distractions, whether people or technology even, can be very beneficial at times.
Well put. I’ve always felt I can’t grow in the presence of someone else
And knowing that is strength.
“ I’ve learned, the slow and slightly stubborn way, that if you just keep putting one boot in front of the other, the noise burns itself out. Not because you resolved anything. It’s more that the sheer physical effort of the walk eventually outcompetes the mental chatter for your attention, and what’s left underneath is quieter than anything you get at home with four walls and a phone.”
Completely relate to everything you said. Soon will be in North West and can’t wait to experience solitude again. I only ever hike alone.
It’s just more immersive isn’t it when you go solo? You can set the pace, stop when you want to, push on when you want to.
Oh absolutely.
I love your reflections, your words pass on clear-headed emotions and actions, and I admire you for what you share. Thank you.
Thansk so much.