I do agree with you about living your life the way you want to live, that makes you feel happy and not constantly worrying about what others think of you. It is not an easy thing for me to do. I feel that women, especially in the past, constantly felt they needed to base their lives on what others wanted them to do. Have a wonderful life Angie!!
I'm very slowly catching up with the work of my favourite writers here and found this piece quite lovely, thank you. It is so interesting, to look back at younger years through the lens of experience, often hard-won, bitterly-contested experience. Sometimes, I think of my younger self and wonder what on earth he was doing, why he followed certain paths, why he left others untrod. But I never blame him, for his path led to me, here, now. Thank you for reminding me of this, to be gentle to that younger me.
(Also, if this was published on your birthday, then we share the same date!)
Thank you for your kind words, as always. Happy to have you back! I also have a lot of catching up to do. Seems like I can never keep up with Substack. And I definitely relate. There are a lot of things I would do differently if I went back, but at the same time, I can't say I have any real regrets.
It was a bit after my birthday, but how fun that it was on your birthday! They aren't too far apart!
Thanks! I used to think that, if I were able to go back, I’d do things differently and, perhaps, I would, but mostly now I try and look at where I am, how I got here, and see the best in that. I’m one of those weird micro-generation few who grew up with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood, which I know has affected my outlook on life—I have, however, often considered what it would have been like to have the information and communication abilities we can have now, back when I was young. The world has changed fast, and so many people don’t really notice or realise it.
This has such echoes with something I wrote to my younger self. The striving, the need to prove our worth, driven often by fear over love. Beautifully said. 💚
Eh. Inhabiting the wilderness, for us townsfolk, isn't flitting about in the woods dressed as a mythological creature for a photo shoot then driving back to civilization.
An actual female denizen wild-wandering on foot encapsulated it over stove flame on the AT with a story about one time she came into town for a quick resupply:
A little girl who was behind her in line at the store turned to her mother and said "Mama I smell HORSES!!"
I lived in the woods in a camp for two years researching owls and other wildlife for my masters degree, much of that work I did entirely alone. I lived solely in a tent and showered outside. I have caught and researched wild salmon in the remote lakes and streams of Alaska while camping on beaches every summer for years. I spent another season living in a truck and hiking through mountains and forests all night looking for endangered owls for a job in BC. I've harvested moose, deer, and a bear once. I was a biologist for 10 years and travelled to many wild places for it. I have mountaineered in New Zealand, climbed cliffs in Alberta and BC, and split-boarded in many mountain ranges in Alaska and Canada. I've spent weeks rafting down the Grand Canyon with no guide and just my friends on two separate occasions.
I have nothing to prove to you, but I share all that to highlight this - you know nothing about me, and are passing harsh judgement based on photos and very personal words that a stranger on the Internet posted. Perhaps check your own heart, before you write things like this to strangers.
I do agree with you about living your life the way you want to live, that makes you feel happy and not constantly worrying about what others think of you. It is not an easy thing for me to do. I feel that women, especially in the past, constantly felt they needed to base their lives on what others wanted them to do. Have a wonderful life Angie!!
I absolutely agree. It’s a really hard thing to change and let go of. Thank you Mom ♥️ you’re the best
Beautifully written and so true. What a great reminder to us all!
Aw thank you! So glad it resonated with you!
Beautiful piece!!
Thank you so much!
I'm very slowly catching up with the work of my favourite writers here and found this piece quite lovely, thank you. It is so interesting, to look back at younger years through the lens of experience, often hard-won, bitterly-contested experience. Sometimes, I think of my younger self and wonder what on earth he was doing, why he followed certain paths, why he left others untrod. But I never blame him, for his path led to me, here, now. Thank you for reminding me of this, to be gentle to that younger me.
(Also, if this was published on your birthday, then we share the same date!)
I hope life is treating you kindly.
Thank you for your kind words, as always. Happy to have you back! I also have a lot of catching up to do. Seems like I can never keep up with Substack. And I definitely relate. There are a lot of things I would do differently if I went back, but at the same time, I can't say I have any real regrets.
It was a bit after my birthday, but how fun that it was on your birthday! They aren't too far apart!
Thanks! I used to think that, if I were able to go back, I’d do things differently and, perhaps, I would, but mostly now I try and look at where I am, how I got here, and see the best in that. I’m one of those weird micro-generation few who grew up with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood, which I know has affected my outlook on life—I have, however, often considered what it would have been like to have the information and communication abilities we can have now, back when I was young. The world has changed fast, and so many people don’t really notice or realise it.
Thank you for sharing this text. I would probably give my younger self a few more book tips. Some books I should have read in my youth.
Ooh also a very idea! Or the general advice to make more time for reading, at least!
This has such echoes with something I wrote to my younger self. The striving, the need to prove our worth, driven often by fear over love. Beautifully said. 💚
Thank you so much, I’m so glad it resonated with you. And thank you for sharing it too!!
Living your life authentic is a undervalued skill. Wearing a mask constantly is not only exhausting but leads to deep frustration.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful words. There's a deep connection between living a free life and being rooted with nature.
Thank you for reading! And I absolutely agree, it is challenging but much better than the alternative.
Eh. Inhabiting the wilderness, for us townsfolk, isn't flitting about in the woods dressed as a mythological creature for a photo shoot then driving back to civilization.
An actual female denizen wild-wandering on foot encapsulated it over stove flame on the AT with a story about one time she came into town for a quick resupply:
A little girl who was behind her in line at the store turned to her mother and said "Mama I smell HORSES!!"
I lived in the woods in a camp for two years researching owls and other wildlife for my masters degree, much of that work I did entirely alone. I lived solely in a tent and showered outside. I have caught and researched wild salmon in the remote lakes and streams of Alaska while camping on beaches every summer for years. I spent another season living in a truck and hiking through mountains and forests all night looking for endangered owls for a job in BC. I've harvested moose, deer, and a bear once. I was a biologist for 10 years and travelled to many wild places for it. I have mountaineered in New Zealand, climbed cliffs in Alberta and BC, and split-boarded in many mountain ranges in Alaska and Canada. I've spent weeks rafting down the Grand Canyon with no guide and just my friends on two separate occasions.
I have nothing to prove to you, but I share all that to highlight this - you know nothing about me, and are passing harsh judgement based on photos and very personal words that a stranger on the Internet posted. Perhaps check your own heart, before you write things like this to strangers.
Very wise, Angie! Happy birthday and enjoy the new decade on your own terms! ✨️
My favorite thing about writing - it always shows us how we are all the same underneath ♥️