Life-Saving Journey Revealed: Alison's Heartfelt Account from the Hiking Path
Strutting the trail has been my lifeline.
Previously, I was a top-notch classical musician, and I was on the peak of my career. However, a neurological movement disorder struck me, hindering my ability to perform, which was the most crushing blow to my life. This loss of my cherished music left me without a feeling of significance or purpose.
Somehow, by sheer luck, I became a trailblazer and discovered that on the path, I could mourn and learn to step into an uncertain future, devoid of my beloved music. The trail was a sanctuary where I could grieve and find joy even in the toughest of times. I was taken aback to find myself smiling often, despite the hardships. Other hikes earned me the trail name "Blissful," a contrasting name for a woman who was almost bereft of hope.
It was around the time I immersed myself in hiking that I learned about another "Blissful Hiker" - Beethoven. He was a devout follower of daily walks, but also took lengthy saunters in the Vienna woods to nurture his creative muse.
But there was something else Beethoven and I shared.
He was the exact same age as I was when he was stricken by his catastrophic deafness. Like me, he struggled with finding meaning and purpose, and even wrote a suicide note at one point.
However, he didn't end his life, and instead forged on—hiking and composing some of the most amazing music ever made. Realizing that Beethoven could live on, so could I.
When I decided to conquer my first long-distance thru-hike, Te Araroa in New Zealand, I knew I needed funds and discovered that I owned something of immense worth—my professional flute. I sold it to an exceptionally gifted musician for an amount sufficient to fund my hike. I traded my flute for the trail, for life itself. I traversed every step of the magnificent, life-changing trail—along with a collection of roughly 10,000 more miles, venturing ahead into my bliss.
Story and photos courtesy of blissfulhiker (Alison Young)
Are you inspired to let the trails reshape your life, boost your mental health, or guide you towards a new chapter?
Share your story with us at our website.org/share-your-story/ -because every step on the trail is a step towards something more profound.
P.S. Hiking not just a physical challenge but an opportunity for personal growth, mental health enhancement, and community building. It provides a safe space to test your limits, foster self-confidence, and confront your fears while reaping the benefits of nature and social interaction. So, strap on those boots, and set off on your next adventure!
Hiking has become a integral part of my outdoor-living lifestyle, a refuge that fosters personal growth and mental health enhancement. In the home-and-garden of nature, it offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery and community building, transcending the challenge of physical exertion to become a journey towards a deeper, more profound life. Sports, in this context, are not just competitive games but a means to test endurance, boost self-confidence, and conquer personal fears, much like hiking. Embracing this lifestyle has allowed me to reshape my life, find a new purpose, and face the challenges that come my way with a renewed sense of hope and determination.
