Camping Solo

By Author: Lynn Cutts
Total Articles: 5
Comment this article

I recently completed my first solo camping trip. Although I've been camping for over 45 years, this was the first time I didn't have parents, friends, or a husband alone with me. It was just me, and the birds, and the bees. And the bear, but that's another story.

Anyway, as I planned my trip, I found myself getting more and more apprehensive. What if I couldn't . . . pitch the tent, light the stove, haul the water, sleep by myself . . . You name it, I worried about it. I came up with Plan B's and Plan C's and even a few Plan F's. By the morning I was supposed to leave, I'd almost "what if-ed" myself out of going. But then I came up with the ultimate Plan B: if it got too tough, I could go stay in a motel, or even head home. So I went.

And I found it was easier than I expected. I threaded the poles into the tent, and then got the little metal doohickies into the tent poles so the tent actually stood up. I pounded five out of six tent pegs into rocky ground (bent the sixth) using a rock, because I'd forgotten the hammer. I hauled water. I coaxed our cranky, thirty-year-old camp stove into working. I split ...
... kindling for a campfire I didn't get to have (the bear, again). And at the end of two days, as I drove home happy and at peace, I realized I didn't have just one success. I had a whole collection of little ones.

I've heard - and preached - about breaking big projects down into little ones, but the principle has never come home to me so clearly as on this trip. When I looked at it as a whole, it was so scary I almost backed down. But once I got out there and did just one task at a time and focused on that task only, it became not only manageable, but almost easy.

Just as important, all that "unnecessary" worrying I'd done before the trip actually paid off. Because I'd mentally worked through a dozen different problems beforehand (of course, the problems I ended up facing weren't the ones I'd worried about), I was more confident about meeting the challenges that did arise. And since my ultimate Plan B gave me permission to fail, I had the courage to try.

So go ahead. Worry. But don't let it stop you. And give yourself permission to fail. Because only then will you have the courage to succeed.

NOTE: You are welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lynn Cutts at Lynn@ManageYourMuse.com.

Copyright 2005 Lynn Cutts
About the Author Chocolate-loving Life Coach Lynn Cutts' mission is to change the world for the better, one person at a time. At www.ManageYourMuse.com, she shares free tips, articles, games and newsletters to help you realize your dreams. Lynn offers one-on-one coaching, group coaching and self-guided programs to help you create your own boundless life. Lynn is certified by the Coaches Training Institute, and is a member of the International Coaches Federation.