The Healing Hike: How to Enjoy The Journey When It Feels Hard

The other day, I realized it's been ten years since I decided to start healing and change my life completely. It's incredible how time goes by and what seemed impossible a decade ago is now my reality. 

I was 28, and after a decade of suffering abuse of all kinds plus another decade of living a numb life and suffering from PTSD, I couldn't take it anymore. I was done—done.

All I knew was that I wanted out of the misery and emotional numbness, but I was clueless as to how my journey would transpire.

Throughout the years, I have been through different phases of healing. I went through grief, anger, and forgiveness, took forgiveness back (multiple times), experienced happiness and fulfillment, and leveled up again and again. Only to press repeat and do it all over again until I felt settled into my new, upgraded reality.

I went through ups and downs and some downs that seemed endless. I got mad when I thought I was already over certain things when I wasn't and happy and surprised when I saw myself unbothered by things that used to upset me tremendously and set boundaries without even blinking.  

Some people think of healing as climbing a mountain. I get them, but it's not as straightforward as one may think. You need to rest and stop for food if the path is long. Some parts of the trail feel like heaven, while others will make you curse because of how challenging they can be.

At times, you'll think you’re almost there, only to realize there’s a whole new stretch of the mountain hiding behind the part you just conquered.

That’s healing.

But there's another side to healing; there are beautiful views every time you reach a new height. And the jumps for joy when you finally discover a trick (or a strategy) to make the climb easier—like spotting a stick lying around and using it to climb (I always feel so proud when I find the perfect one!).

There are people you meet along the way, the friend who offers you a hand to get over that big, slippery rock…

Isn’t all of that wonderful? That's all part of this beautiful journey we're in.

And if you are thinking you should be there already or further ahead, I want to invite you to make a stop because you are exactly where you are supposed to be.  

We all experience the healing hike differently, so take your time and pause to look at how far you have come, even if it is just two steps!

Taking two steps with a loaded backpack on your back is not the same as strolling without any weight, so give yourself grace today, and remember that where you are is the perfect starting point to get to where you want to be.

I'm not saying this to make you settle. This is just me encouraging you to be gentle with yourself and go at your own pace. Acknowledge the steps you have taken so far and gather the strength to go where you want to go while enjoying the view. 

The top of the mountain may be great, but let's not miss out on the views we get to enjoy now, in the present moment. Also, what the heck is the top of the mountain anyway? All the mountains I climbed led me to another sparkly one. Isn't that the same for you?

Let's enjoy the ride, beautiful soul!

Now, I know this is easier said than done, but two mindset shifts have helped me tremendously over this decade of intentional healing, and I'm sharing them with you, in the hopes they help you on your healing hike:

#1: Ultimately, the present moment is all there is. 

A lot of anxiety comes from thinking of the future, and depression from thinking of the past. What matters is that you are healing now. Your past will soon be a distant memory, and your future, an abundance of fabulous possibilities. So whenever you can, bring yourself back to the present moment and ground yourself in the now.

#2: Healing is not linear. 

You will experience setbacks and bad days and sometimes feel like you are heading nowhere. That's just a part of the process. As a perfectionist, I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of wanting our journey to be perfect, but the truth is, healing is the most perfectly imperfect process there is. 

You're not doing it wrong; you're just experiencing the highs and lows of healing. And honestly, of life.

These two simple thoughts changed my entire outlook on healing and helped me get to where I am right now: free from PTSD and living a far-from-numb life, full of exciting relationships and projects, and doing the work I love.

Are you ready to embrace where you are, live in the present moment, and enjoy your healing hike?

I can't wait to see you heal and succeed!

Love,

Erika.