On April 10th this year, I set out from Columbia back to Scotland to finish the last day of the West Highland Way and then complete the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness. I chose to complete it as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association to help keep me going when I wanted to give up! On average I walked about 30,000 steps a day. My total for the 7 days was 200,261 steps! It was not an easy walk but it was so good for me mentally.
As with the West Highland Way the year before I walked solo. However, walking solo I had the opportunity to meet some incredible people and share my story with them. The first day I walked completely solo but the 2nd day I met a wonderful English couple. I walked with them for the next few days. I walked with a German couple the next 2 days and a Scottish couple after that! When you’re out on the trail surrounded by nature it’s a lot easier to be open and vulnerable. Being in nature also really allows me to process everything that is going through my mind.
I didn’t have a job lined up for when I came back and was trying to figure out my next steps in life. I was in the process of applying to go back to grad school and get my Masters of Public Health. I was trying to figure out where I wanted to focus my education and what kind of job I wanted.
I came back from my trip in a much lighter mood and more in touch with my plan for my future. Being on the trail by myself for 7 days really allowed me to look at not only the surface level issues but the root causes. Nature is an excellent way for me to disconnect from the constant buzzing of the modern, technological world and connect with my soul.
I now aim to hike at least once a week to keep the “happy hormones” flowing. I unfortunately ended up with a stress fracture in my foot but I am nearly healed and can’t wait to continue my hiking adventures. There is something so freeing about being on the trail.
Check out my YouTube video for the breathtaking views I saw along the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUGKBNlvX1E
Hiking Through Anxiety & Depression 