I feel that Birthdays always seem to be a time of reflection, looking back on everything that’s happened over the the last year. For me, the jump from my birthday two years ago to now, has been a big one. The last few weeks have really shown me how far I’ve come and highlighted the changes that I’ve made, both to myself and the world I surround myself with.
2020: Separation and Solo Trips
Two years ago, I took myself off to Keswick for my birthday. Having separated from my husband in the February and then going straight into lockdown, it had been a rollercoaster of a year. I had been staying in the house whilst we tried to sell it, but as I’ve spoken about before in previous posts, I didn’t know many people nearby. I’d met a few through a local walking group and had started to get out hiking more regularly, but I was still spending a lot of time on my own.
Due to all of the restrictions, I wasn’t able to have a party or go stay with family. I didn’t want to just sit at home feeling sorry for myself, so instead, I rented a single room in a hostel and spent a few days visiting places that meant a lot to me. I saw this trip as a bit of a family pilgrimage and a fresh start for the things to come. I think the hostel cost me £25/night (including breakfast) and I stayed for two, which seemed like a pretty good deal to me! It was walking distance into Keswick center and I tried to plan all my routes from there. There were no cooking facilities onsite, so I had to suffer and treat myself to birthday fish and chips.
Before this, the only other trip I’d done on my own was my road trip around Scotland. It took me quite a long time to get used to making decisions on my own when choosing what to do and where to go, but it became quite freeing for the first time not having to consider someone else and be able to walk for as long or as little as I wanted. I’d had a rough idea of places I wanted to visit (the church where three generations of my family got married and my great grandparents bench) but being the Lakes, the weather wasn’t really playing ball. I managed to get to most of the places on my list though, snuck in a trip up Catbells and saw my Grandad for a wander out to Friars Crag.
After my hike up Catbells, I decided to attempt a dip… however I think I only got in up to my ankles before bailing out – my real dipping didn’t start until the December. It’s crazy looking back and remembering how anxious I felt at the time about being there on my own, in the rain. These are things now that just don’t phase me at all and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.
I have so many memories linked to all of these places, from exploring them as child on our trips up during the school holidays, to the spot where I got engaged. These are all happy memories for me, and even though my marriage didn’t work out, I am still grateful for those moments and being able to share the places that mean so much to me. In a way, this kind of felt like closing a chapter of my life and starting to make fresh memories in these beautiful places, but on my own.
It seems crazy to think how much has changed over the last two years, both with regards to my life situation, but also my confidence,
2022: Oh How Things Have Changed
Two years later I was back in Keswick, but this time I was celebrating along with Beth and surrounded by friends from the incredible community I’ve found through instagram. It felt so surreal to be back in the same place, but at such a different stage of my life. Several of the people who came, have been such a huge support for me over the past few years and have been by my side through all the ups and downs.
I had such an incredible weekend at Newlands Adventure Centre hiking, dipping, chasing waterfalls and getting the adrenaline pumping with some high ropes. I absolutely loved going on trips to places like this at school, but was pretty cool having the centre all to ourselves.
Though I’ve been climbing a few times and done go ape before, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything involving heights. I’m not going to lie, I found it pretty nerve-wracking climbing up a huge tree to ring the bell at the top and also standing on the edge getting ready for the tarzan swing! But the adrenaline buzz leaves you on such a high.
Due to the huge amounts of rain over the previous few days, the water levels were pretty high, but we managed to scramble up stream for a dip, though the flow of the waterfall was too much to be able to get too close.
After all the excitement, it was back to the centre for pizza, cake and just spending some quality time with some great humans. Thank you so much to everyone who made the weekend what it was. I feel so grateful to have been able to spend it with such a caring bunch and finally be able to meet people who I’ve been chatting to for the past few years.
All of the choices I’ve made over the past few years have led me to exactly where I’m meant to be. I decided to start choosing myself, surrounding myself with people on my wavelength who bring so much joy into my life, doing the things that make me happy, everyday. Ok, I’ve still got a long way to go with regards to my job and living situation, but now I have the foundations around me and such a strong support network, I feel in a much better position mentally to know what I do and don’t want to do and to start making the next steps on my journey.
Happy Adventuring x
Lisa Outdoors 
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