Practicing Delayed Gratification On The Trail

BY MONET YELSNICK

It's different for everyone but personally, the ultimate gratification of a hike for me is when it's over. That's not to say I’m not enjoying myself as I go–I definitely enjoy the sights, the smells, the silence, but the sense of accomplishment and endorphins don't usually rush in until the grand finale. Despite the incredible feelings I get at the end of the hike, it can be really difficult to talk myself into going. Why not just stay home in my jammies eating grilled cheese and watching Frasier? Why would I give up the sheer pleasure I am feeling right now for a sense of accomplishment and engagement with the world I would have to work for? This has become increasingly difficult for me as our world has shifted and we have less reason to leave the house than ever.

During Covid my lifestyle changed drastically. I was working from home, solely dining from home, entertaining myself from home, etc. My most extensive walk was down my apartment steps to snag my delivery before returning to my couch. Tired? Well, the bed’s right here, so I'll take a nap now and finish up my work later. Peckish? Takeout leftovers are at my fingertips. Wondering how my last tweet did on the twittersphere? I'll just check it real quick, no one will know. In short, I had not practiced delayed gratification for months. Isn't that the dream? Everything you want, right when you want it? Being comfortable and cozy all the time? I would have answered yes a year ago, but I found myself getting depressed and chasing the dragon of comfort more and more with each passing day. My self-esteem was spiraling down and the less I did, the less I wanted to do. I soon realized that while it does feel great in the short term to get what you want instantly, it robs us of our potential and ultimate happiness.

There is pleasure, and there is happiness. Pleasure is the short term burst of joy you get when you eat ice cream, buy a new outfit, stay in bed all day. Happiness is the sustained contentment or feelings of well being that you get from finishing a project you’ve been working on for a month, seeing a new relationship flourish a year on because you confronted old patterns and refused to sabotage yourself, realizing that despite your initial resistance, you have made huge gains with your therapist. Basically things that allow you to rack up accomplishments that are tied to your growth. Let you know that you are still moving forward in life. Pleasure requires little effort. Happiness requires consistent work. Pleasure is chilling on the couch, happiness is hitting the trail.

When you start at the beginning of the trail you know that between you and that sweet payoff of the view, the waterfall, the crisp pool of water you can swim in, the feeling of accomplishment is a low to high amount of time and physical exertion. You also know it's worth it to put in the work now to get the payoff later. In this respect, hiking is probably one of the most enjoyable ways I can think of to practice delayed gratification. Hiking is pretty reliable-you can rest assured there is a payoff, but you still have to work for it. The physical health benefits, the mental health benefits, the personal feelings of accomplishment, the fun of it, all can be found in the delayed gratification awaiting you on the trail. It feels good to take a nap as you want it, and i'm not slamming that, but the much longer lasting satisfaction you get from delayed gratification helps us impart meaning into our worlds. Allows us to work on bigger projects that can have a major impact on our lives and the world around us. You simply can’t replicate that by forever chasing instant gratification. I hope that with this in mind when you get the chance you choose the trail.

Monet Yelsnick is a musician and outdoor enthusiast in Seattle, WA.