How do you challenge yourself?
I spent this week at the end of the road. A long, winding, very foggy road that ended at the Pacific Ocean in Tofino, B.C.
After last week’s fiasco with my privacy being hacked I needed to escape civilization and rebalance myself.
I also managed to escape a number of my personal boundaries, my cosmetics, my wardrobe…and discovered a sense of adventure.
While I like to think of myself as pretty tough, in the adventure department, I’m pretty gutless.
Tofino has a happy, hippy vibe and since it was almost the end of the season, it was pretty deserted.
I walked along a pitch black, fog shrouded beach with my daughter and her pug. Surprisingly, I wasn’t afraid a bogey man was going to attack. Back home I don’t like taking the trash to the street at night, by myself!
I’m not a water person. Never have been. I’m not a strong swimmer and I get seasick easily.
But I swallowed my nervousness and went on a four hour kayaking tour in the Clayoquot sound. We paddled over to hike in the old growth rainforest on Meares Island. There were “Crocs” involved and a ball cap, which I’d never worn in my life.
My shoulders got sore but I felt really proud that I didn’t chicken out.
The next day I donned a “borrowed” wetsuit with booties “eww“and went surfing. The water was frigid…the waves seemed huge to me…but I did it.
I was feeling moderately confident prior to actually hitting the beach. By the time I’d listened to all the instructions and watched the waves hurl people ashore, I wasn’t feeling so convinced it was a good idea.
But I had to go. I wanted to prove I was up to the challenge, plus my daughter would have tortured me relentlessly, if I’d given up.
Here’s the, ever patient, Aussie surf instructor who stayed close to me…wouldn’t let me either drown, or wimp out.
What have you challenged yourself to lately?
Good job, Jennifer! You pushed past your comfort zone & fears & had a new adventure!
It is still vivid in my mind Cathy! Pretty exciting!I’m really glad I tried it.
This was very inspiring. The fact that you took the time to challenge yourself and most importantly, to not give up is excellent. I feel it is often difficult for some to stay on a motivational path due to fear and self-doubt. It brings smiles to my face knowing that you had a great time! Btw… Your instructor is quite the cutie! 🙂
It felt very liberating. Scary yes, because I don’t really swim. But I’m so happy I pushed myself to try it. He was a doll
I’m challenging myself with my diet too! I Gave up dairy and gluten again (it snuck back into my diet) two weeks ago and feel better already. It really does help with loosing weight, doesn’t it?
There’s nothing so magical as a foggy, mysterious looking beach walk. I loved it.
Wow, good challenges. I love a good challenge, yet haven’t done anything too challenging for a bit. I did some hiking this summer and survived my winter-from-hell so those are challenges that I faced. I think the biggest thing I’m doing right now, though, is to working on changing my diet so I eat clean with no sugar or wheat during the work week (I’m more lenient on the weekends). I need to lose the 10 lbs I put on over the past few years. I’d rather be walking a foggy beach and surfing though!
I can’t swim a stroke (almost drowned as a child – still have nightmares!!), yet I love the water (being on it in a boat), love to fish and never get seasick, even crossing the English Channel in a ferry from Boulogne-Sur-Mer to Dover in the midst of a dreadful storm. My husband was hanging over the side visiting the Irishman, as they say (O’Rooooooourke). He’s a great swimmer but gets seasick in the bathtub. Go figure!!
Talk soon, my dear.
Cheers, M-T
That’s hilarious about your husband…probably not so much for him though:) I’m a lousy swimmer which is why the kayaking and surfing were such an act of bravery in my part. I get sea sick on a dock!!
Let’s chat my friend. Friday work for you?
xoxo
It has been so much fun to see your gorgeous pics show up on Instagram. This looked like the perfect remedy after all the stress. You and your daughter seem to enjoy your time together-it sweet to see. Just caught your yoga post. I love yoga. I’m currently more into pilates strengthening the core but for pure focus and restoration I’m a big fan of yoga. Have a wonderful weekend lovely friend!
xx
It was an amazing trip. She is the best, for sure.
I’d love to schedule a visit soon. Let’s put something on our calendars.
xoJennifer
Isn’t it great when you discover a side of you that is fearless and inquisitive? Letting go of all your problems and stress. Tofino is a magical place. Glad you concurred some demons and rode the waves in the mist. See why I love to paint west coast scenes?
It was amazing! I’m not sure I could admit to being fearless, but at least I wasn’t gutless:). I saw lots of scenes that reminded me of your art! It’s exactly what I thought of when I saw the tress and water shrouded in fog. Beautiful, like your art!!xoxo
Well done! Tofino is magical even in the fog (or perhaps especially in it!)
The fog does add to its magical quality. My muscles still ache from surfing:)
Jen, You are so cool trying these things especially surfing in the Pacific North!! I don’t have the guts for that. You go girl!! I am surprised to hear you say you are afraid of water since you sail all the time. Sailing scares me!
I have to say as I get older all these physical challenges scare me the most. All the more reason to keep trying and getting out of our comfort zone! You inspired me!
Wonderful you ditched everything and did this! xo Kim
Sailing scares me too!!! Always has. I go rarely…but take lots of pictures when I do:))
It felt like running away when I left, but it ended up feeling more like I was running TO something.
I have my daughter to thank for this. She encouraged, pushed and I’m so glad she did.
xo
You are so brave! Especially with the surfing. The ocean has always terrified me and I don’t think I am a very strong swimmer either.
This is the best way to handle the after effects of what happened to you. Just get away, with someone you love and trust and make new memories!
I will have to remember this the next time something traumatic happens.
I hope you’re starting to feel less vulnerable and invaded now….I am sure it will take a long time but hopefully getting away helped.
Thinking of you!
A
Thanks A. It really did help to get away. I’m not a very adventurous person, so without my daughter’s encouragement, I know I would have chickened out.
The vulnerable feeling is still there, but getting better slowly.xoxo
Haven’t been to Tofino in far too long. My good friend just led a painting weekend at Middle Beach Lodge and I so wished I could have gone. I’ve thought of surfing, from time to time, as a potential challenge, but I’m pretty chicken. . . . did you like it?
It was thrilling, but very hard work. As a runner, you’d be in terrific shape for it. I just love Tofino. It’s a magical spot.