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VetVine Client Care

Posted On Nov 18, 2015

Updated On Jun 25, 2025

Lessons From The Trail

Wellness Wisdom

Originally contributed by Gwen Pettit, PT, PCC, MA, MS


I am fortunate to live in Colorado.  I get to spend time outdoors and love to go backpacking into the wilderness. While backpacking my body gets challenged physically and my brain has to maintain focus on the present. A day on the trail also provides me an opportunity to practice gratitude for the sounds, smells and beauty of nature.

My passion for backpacking recently took me throughs parts of the Continental Divide Trail. Here are some lessons I learned during that exploration:

  • Self care is critical to your overall enjoyment of the day
  • Self awareness and immediate action to tend to your needs will prevent exhaustion
  • You could miss out on the entirety of what an experience offers if you are too focused on the end result
  • You need food, sleep, and good energy to tackle tough challenges
  • There is a freedom (mentally) in doing the thing you most want to do for yourself
  • Preparation and planning are essential to the process
  • You are the expert in taking care of your own needs - don’t let others tell you differently
  • Confidence is built by taking small steps each day and the smallest of accomplishments made
  • Ask for help and support when you have big projects to tackle
  • Be flexible in your goals
  • Celebrate what you achieve every day


The biggest lesson I learned over those several days was about the power of checking in on a regular basis to monitor my emotional and physical needs. When you walk into the wilderness, your safety depends on your physical ability to travel the distance as well as the mental focus to make smart decisions in your ever changing environment.

So, how do my lessons from the trail translate into self-care in the context of a busy and hectic world? Try asking yourself these questions every hour for one full day:

  • How am I feeling?
  • What do I need?
  • What actions can I take to get what I need for self care today?

This practice of staying present - mentally - is not that easy to accomplish when we are multitasking with constant interruptions. When you hit a big challenge - slow down and breathe. Even if it's just a moment or two, a breathing exercise will allow you to ground yourself and remain focused on your path. If you find yourself feeling exhausted at the end of a day, ask yourself what you need to do differently to end the day feeling satisfied and accomplished?

I encourage you to spend time doing something for which you have a passion. Allow yourself to fully embrace that activity. Enjoy the feelings that you experience in your own daily adventure. If you are struggling with your current path, search for a coach or a professional who could assist.