The solitude that the last two years have required of me, have presented this opportunity to consider who and what and where I’m drawn. And, one of the many answers, is that I’m drawn outside. That, really, my Taurus placement is much happier when I’ve got my feet in the grass or have the sun soaking into my skin. I’m grateful that this realization compelled me to seek out these spaces upon my move to Portland. And that, serendipitously, I found Wild Diversity.

An environmentalist can look many different ways, it’s just someone who cares about the environment. To me, defining what the environment means, it’s just everything around us. Which includes the city and the natural world, because they’re interconnected pieces. Just because you put concrete on the ground doesn't mean that water and the sun and all these different elements go away.

And then I got matched up with Wild Diversity. And I started to feel scared that if I spent another birthday in my house, I was going to feel trapped, and like I wasn’t going to be able to leave. So, I got the job. And I packed everything up literally that same week. And I'm actually really happy. Because this is a decision I made for myself.

I know my fear of water was based in not really understanding it. And finally being able to understand what the water is doing and how to read hydrology and everything. Like I feel like that took away a lot of my anxiety. But it also just made me think that not a lot of other people – especially within my family – get to experience the rez or home from that point of view.

Hop in, friend. We are going canoeing with Kaïa. Check out this installment of Our Story is Your Story to hear from Kaïa about their beautiful relationship to the outdoors, to the water, and to helping to facilitate connections for others with Wild Diversity. What a beam of light they are.

Farm to Table is wonderful for sure. But from the Forest Floor to Your Table is choosing to meet nature where it’s at, instead of forcing it to produce what you want.

So, for me, after we get those common experiences on the table, we can turn to the building. Now, how can we support each other? How can I elevate you and what you're doing? How can we use our collective resources to really put our community on the top shelf? I think it’s a fucked up trick to focus on the negative when we have time together. Not that we're ignoring that it's happening. Not that we're using toxic positivity. It’s that we already know, you know, where all the pieces are on the board. Now. Let's play this fucking game to the best of our abilities. Together.

Backpacking can be and should be fun and exciting. I started to shift my mindset and let myself bring a few unnecessary items that could enhance my experience, not physically, but emotionally.

Remember, no matter what people say, or no matter what the outdoor industry makes us feel, you get to decide what to wear on trail. While you always want to consider safety and comfort — do you!

I am striving to be more forgiving, more compassionate, and less angry — to myself and to others. I am striving to love and care for myself and the space and community around me. To me, outdoor recreation is communal, rather than individualistic; in this sense, it is crucial to be fluid about the definition of fitness, especially when outdoors.