WHAT HIKING TEACHES US ABOUT OURSELVES BY JAIME PURINTON
After my hiking accident in 2014 where I sustained a traumatic injury, dislocating and shattering all three ankle bones, I have been on an epic journey to learn more about myself and heal those parts that need healing beyond my physical body. During my recovery I was wheelchair bound for a couple months and I was forced to sit alone with my thoughts. I couldn’t escape them with my usual way of avoiding themkeeping myself way too busy. It was then I had a painful awakening of sorts and realized my life wasn’t really going the way I wanted it to. In fact, I was allowing some pretty unhealthy habits that had started to take over who I truly was. Pre-injury I was a messemotionally, spiritually, and physically. I had major anxiety which had manifested into OCD and frequent panic attacks. I
was a huge people pleaser- I didn’t know how to say no, and I had no idea what a boundary was. These actions were in response to me wanting to be loved, even if that meant giving up my own needs and hiding behind a mask to ensure I was loved by everyone around me. I was neglecting my own needs to be liked- and that was my way of manipulating those around me. It wasn’t the real me, I wasn’t being authentic, and I was betraying myself every time I said yes when I wanted to say no. I was creating unhealthy relationships that compounded my stress and anxiety. I felt the energy building up inside of me and knew my life had to change, but I didn’t know how to make the changes. Then I broke my ankle. That was the gift from the Universe I needed at just the right time to start my healing.
