Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I am so enamoured of people who go hiking and camping, have dogs and do a lot of stuff outside. They don't even care if they get dirty, and yet in all their social networking snapshots they always look so clean, and their dogs look clean. They never look sweaty or tired or uncomfortable. I want to be like those people. But, I don't really want to spend all that time outside, camping and stuff. When I go camping, I feel filthy, and itchy. I don't look good in the snapshots at all. I look oily and tired. I don't really want a dog. I guess I don't actually want to do those things, as me. I want to be those people doing those things. Or traveling. I don't think I actually like traveling in the roughing-it sort of way. I like the idea of it, and I'm impressed by those really adventurous people who talk about living their lives for today and seeing the REAL way people live, backpacking and meeting people. They have this kind of smug attitude about it, suggesting that other ways of traveling are not really seeing the world and are really pedestrian and small. Sure, you can do anything you set your mind to, you just have to want it. But can you set your mind to wanting something you don't already want? Is there anything you wished you were more interested in? Wished you enjoyed more? And, sure, some of you will probably say something like "I sometimes wish I wanted to do this more, but I'm happy the way I am." which is just like, who needs you, anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eponine Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Haha, I hear you. I want to be the kind of person who backpacks in the summer, but I never do, because it takes planning and the pack is heavy. I do like camping and hiking - I pull the car up to the campsite and hike from there the next day. Yet I continue to think of myself as someone who likes backpacking. I have trouble with motivation and art/crafts too. I was doing a lot of egg art (pysanky) for a while, and last winter, I hit a wall and have barely been able to make myself start again. I have plans to do fairs and booths, and there are plenty of opportunities, but I keep thinking about it and not doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Haha, I hear you. I want to be the kind of person who backpacks in the summer, but I never do, because it takes planning and the pack is heavy. I do like camping and hiking - I pull the car up to the campsite and hike from there the next day. Yet I continue to think of myself as someone who likes backpacking. I have trouble with motivation and art/crafts too. I was doing a lot of egg art (pysanky) for a while, and last winter, I hit a wall and have barely been able to make myself start again. I have plans to do fairs and booths, and there are plenty of opportunities, but I keep thinking about it and not doing it. thinking about doing something has got to be worth, like, what 20% ? It's better than nothing! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince of the North Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 thinking about doing something has got to be worth, like, what 20% ? It's better than nothing! :laugh: I definitely know what you mean! However, I am someone who doesn't really mind getting dirty/smelly IF I don't have to stay that way for very long. Would that sort of thing work for you? I mean, going to places where you could hike/camp but be able to shower daily, etc.? I fought wildfires for several seasons when I was younger and we sometimes had to go days without really being able to clean up (and that was the epitome of a dirty job). I really didn't like that aspect of it but it was a means to an end - it put me through college, etc. Also, some friends and I hiked part of the Coast-to-Coast Trail in England a few years ago but we were in B&B's, etc. every night and used a service that shuttled our luggage ahead to the next destination every day so it was waiting for us. So, really, it was just some nice day hiking and not "roughing it" at all. Maybe that sort of thing would be more up your alley (although it definitely would cost more)? I think there is a bit of a happy medium that can be struck with outdoor activities :) ETA: Oh, and to actually try to answer your question, I do wish I enjoyed traveling/hiking/camping/fishing/boating/hunting more than I already do. Then I'd do it more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxom 1974 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Oh gods no. You can have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pepper Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I am so enamoured of people who go hiking and camping, have dogs and do a lot of stuff outside. They don't even care if they get dirty, and yet in all their social networking snapshots they always look so clean, and their dogs look clean. They never look sweaty or tired or uncomfortable. I want to be like those people. It seems like you're really more interested in learning how to take better photos for optimal social media posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramsci Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I have wanted to do the Camino de Santiago for the longest time for similar reasons. The allure of this romantic trek through the Spanish countryside with little more than a backpack and the hospitality of the native Basques, Castilians, and Galicians sounds like something straight out of a novel. Then I get a blister and am reminded of how pathetic I can be. Someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 It seems like you're really more interested in learning how to take better photos for optimal social media posting. Yes exactly. That's all it is. It's just wanting to look good in pictures. That's all I really care about. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zelticgar Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 you should title this thread "I've always wanted to pretend to be an Appalachian trail hippie." :) Quorra - start with day hikes and work your way up to the overnights. If you want to be outdoorsy you just need to suck it up and start exploring. I'm in the woods every weekend but i can rarely break free to do overnights anymore. My daughters are afraid to sleep outside at night. If the actual goal is to just look adventurous for Facebook and Twitter then you should look at cruising. If you take cruises you can hit a bunch of exotic spots and go for 3 or 4 hours on adventures to take your badass photos and then be back at the spa on the ship by 4pm and ready for dinner. Just dont post the cruise ship photos and tell everyone you bummed a ride on a catamaran from island to island. No one will ever know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I have wanted to do the Camino de Santiago for the longest time for similar reasons. The allure of this romantic trek through the Spanish countryside with little more than a backpack and the hospitality of the native Basques, Castilians, and Galicians sounds like something straight out of a novel. Then I get a blister and am reminded of how pathetic I can be. Someday. lol. I wish I wanted to do it more! I love that as an excuse to give when someone sends an invitation. "I'm sorry, I wish I wanted to, but I just don't." :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 you should title this thread "I've always wanted to pretend to be an Appalachian trail hippie." :) Quorra - start with day hikes and work your way up to the overnights. If you want to be outdoorsy you just need to suck it up and start exploring. I'm in the woods every weekend but i can rarely break free to do overnights anymore. My daughters are afraid to sleep outside at night. If the actual goal is to just look adventurous for Facebook and Twitter then you should look at cruising. If you take cruises you can hit a bunch of exotic spots and go for 3 or 4 hours on adventures to take your badass photos and then be back at the spa on the ship by 4pm and ready for dinner. Just dont post the cruise ship photos and tell everyone you bummed a ride on a catamaran from island to island. No one will ever know. No doubt. LOL! I'll fool them all! I did take a day hike once. I peed behind a tree. I just couldn't hold it. I was terrified someone would see me there. I saw a turtle that day. It was amazing. By the end of the hike - I had to cut it short. I had planned to go out to a certain overlook to view the sunset but my calves hurt so much I was basically picking my feet up and planting them flat down like big foot tramping through the forest. I couldn't bear to flex any more! The next day my calves they hurt so bad! At the end of the day I was also super dizzy. I ate a banana. I think that helped. Despite Dr. Pepper's snarky comment, I don't care about social media, that's just my only exposure to other people's experiences like this. That's the only way I sort of know what it looks like and that draws me to it. They look like they're having so much fun and enjoying it. They look at ease. I want to feel what they seem to be feeling in the pictures, not so I can share pictures of myself, but so I can live it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I bet it gets easier with experience. I bet some of the discomfort comes from being ill-prepared and then once you know how to dress and how to pack and set up a comfy camp, it gets easier. Also, I know there are lots of ingenious camping gear and equipment that make things more comfortable and thus maybe more pleasant. I don't have that stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pepper Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Despite Dr. Pepper's snarky comment, I don't care about social media, that's just my only exposure to other people's experiences like this. That's the only way I sort of know what it looks like and that draws me to it. They look like they're having so much fun and enjoying it. They look at ease. I want to feel what they seem to be feeling in the pictures, not so I can share pictures of myself, but so I can live it. And yet, it continues to be about how people look in their social media snapshots, not about how they feel about doing these activities. I'm not making a value judgement here. Learning to be a photographer is a pretty acceptable hobby that many people enjoy, and it has the benefit of creating prettier pics to post on social media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I used to camp when I was a little kid, but the adults thought of everything then, and I was a kid then, I was always dirty and itchy, it wasn't a change from the norm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S John Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I much prefer day hikes, honestly. Camping is fun under ideal circumstances. Not too hot, not too cold, no snow, no rain, not a ton of bugs, etc. In my experience the elements tend to make an appearance in one form or another. I'll go play in the dirt all day, but when it's over I'm more than happy for a hot shower and warm soft bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince of the North Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I much prefer day hikes, honestly. Camping is fun under ideal circumstances. Not too hot, not too cold, no snow, no rain, not a ton of bugs, etc. In my experience the elements tend to make an appearance in one form or another. I'll go play in the dirt all day, but when it's over I'm more than happy for a hot shower and warm soft bed. Yeah, this is mostly where I'm at, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relic Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Or traveling. I don't think I actually like traveling in the roughing-it sort of way. I like the idea of it, and I'm impressed by those really adventurous people who talk about living their lives for today and seeing the REAL way people live, backpacking and meeting people. They have this kind of smug attitude about it, suggesting that other ways of traveling are not really seeing the world and are really pedestrian and small. Most people ive met while traveling/backpacking don't have a "smug" attitude about it, they just prefer a slow sort of travel and are very willing to say why they have this sort of preference. that said, there aren't "wrong" ways of traveling, unless you are exploiting locals when doing so, or destroying little tiny islands in Thailand just so you can party your ass off with a bunch of like minded drunken fools. Anyway, self promotion, but maybe this might help you get over your inertia and hit the road! http://www.justapack.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorra Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 http://www.justapack.com/ Thanks! This site has a lot of advice and it's easy to navigate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eponine Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 The presence of SJohn in this thread reminded me of how my camping comfort has changed with location. The first time I ever camped on flat ground, open sky, (in South Dakota right after college), I found it weird and creepy. There was a cornfield across the road and nothing overhead. Things were probably going to drop out of the sky at night and carry us away. Two years ago, I was camping in West Virginia (see, not a non sequitur) and I was like what is this shit? I felt like the trees were probably going to fall on me in the middle of the night, and there were plants and damp soil and all kinds of potentially gross things. Probably insects and snakes and crunchy things too. If you want to be outdoorsy you just need to suck it up and start exploring. It can feel intimidating to get from someone who takes a few day hikes to someone who does heavy duty outdoor activities without the right friends/groups. A big reason why I've never gotten into rock climbing, although it would probably be fun, is that I don't know anyone who's interested but just starting out. Same to a lesser degree with mountain biking, although that's something I can do by myself on easier trails. It can go the other way too - I'll take some shorter hikes with some slower friends, but I don't really feel that enthusiastic about waiting all day for someone to hike a 14er but wants/needs to stop every 10 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relic Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks! This site has a lot of advice and it's easy to navigate. you're welcome. and thank you! we have put a lot of effort into it. feel free to email me if you have any specific questions. [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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