Is HYPERVIGILIANCE stopping you from OVERNIGHTING? This is how I overcome it. FIRE SIDE CHAT.
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
- Hyper-vigilance is something I've suffered with for a long time. And I know Hypervigiliance is something stopping a lot of you from going out and enjoying nature, particularly overnighting. So I made this fireside chat on it.
In this video I talk about Hypervigiliance and how I deal with it, what brings it on and what you can do to combat it. If you have any techniques for dealing with it then leave a comment below.
I have been watching your videos for some time now, I'm ex-military (RAF) and have suffered with severe Anxiety and Depression for the past 6 years. I like the idea of Wildcamping and Bushcraft, however due to my mental health I am at present unable to work, I'm a 60 year old man living on my own on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moor with no family or friends living near me. I don't have a lot of spare money (living on benefits at present) but watching videos like yours and a couple of others has given me the encouragement to initially start going for walks and most recently I did an overnight camp in a meadow about 2 miles from me with nothing but a cheap plastic tarpaulin a washing line and an old quilt. I wouldn't say it was the best nights sleep I've ever had but at least I was in a quiet spot with no light pollution and no noise and it felt amazing to clear my head of the noise that I live with daily. So a massive thank you to you and others like you for giving me the get up and go that I needed to start enjoying life again and as and when I can I shall source better equipment to be able to do this more often and more comfortably 😊 ❤
Five years your junior I too am what you describe to include ex RAF to hope through the observation of Bushcrafters, particularly Bushcrafters with such an awareness of mental health they are prepared to talk about it, I too may find the courage to do what you have. And to think, prior to enlisting I was a mountaineer and a pot holer also a scout leader and an instructor, to have been nothing but a failure since.
@@Coelacanth1 you're never a failure, think of all the positive things that you have accomplished, I was once in a very dark space with no hope for the future.
Watching these types of videos gave me the encouragement to get out there amongst the wildlife and beauty of the countryside and woodlands in my local area and enjoy life again.
Find that inner beauty within yourself get out there and enjoy, I have and it's turned my life around, I'm no longer suicidal and worried about what people think of me.
Remember you are a great person that has achieved wonderful things in the past and now it's time to open up a new chapter of your life, don't be like me who wasted the last 25 years worrying about things I had no control over.
Except your faults and wrong doings, remember all the good times and achievements you have done and start enjoying life again because you deserve it
Life's short, live it, here's wishing you all the best
We think of hiking, living in the outdoors for a limited time as a physical excersise.. In all the videos I've seen online, very rarely, if ever,is there talk of the emotional or mental trial. 2 years ago I recieved a brain injury after being attacked by a couple of drugged up morons while being a manager of a pub and although I'm nearly 60 now I've just started, thanks to this channel, to get out into the outdoors and free myself from the dark thoughts I was having. I really consider this channel and your personal experience with mental side of life since leaving the military as part of my therapy, And I honestly want to thank you,and I'm sure there's a lot of your supporters feel the same.
I used to hate camping, my kid wanted to do it so I had to man up, I love camping, wild camping, "not on a campsite dad, proper camping" my mental health problems are gone when im in the woods, cooking over embers, my problem is leaving my flat, once I can get out im good to go, but thats so hard for me to achieve, thanks Nick, and thank you for your service
Thank you for being open to talk about this, Nick. It is not talked about enough. As a vet myself, struggling with depression, PTSD, and hyper vigilance, leaving it all behind and getting away into the outdoors for a weekend or even a couple hours is one of the only places I really feel at peace. It really does help to hear another person say it.
Helping others with psychological and emotional challenges can be difficult, even for professionals in this field. I have some experience from both sides of the fence.
I admire the jargon-free simplicity and candour of your video. The sincerity in the message being conveyed is plain to see.
I go to the woods and spend as much time as I can outdoors for similar reasons, but could not have explained these so eloquently.
You seem like a very warm, positive person to be around. Thank you.
My HYPERVIGILIANCE has manifested itself as a ticking clock , constant fear of running out of time , not doing enough for my family , to be ready for things to come . It has made me home bound for five years . I've been pushing myself to go out but , it only lasts for three my be four hours and then that dreed feeling comes back that something wrong at home . I thought going MAD would be fun some how , JOKING OF COURSE but , the stresses of the world are real .
I used to describe how I felt as such, whenever I'm in public or around people I go into fight or flight mode. Now I have an actual word to associate with it. Thank you.
You're right about having an actual word to describe something. Language has seemed inadequate at various times, and then (sometimes many years later) someone uses a term that just hits the spot (a kind of 'I wish I'd known that word or phrase before' moment..or a moment of clarity).
This is really a very useful channel. I for one am very glad I found it.
I'm just turned 60. A sapper in my 20s, and your blog has done much for me before this, but your courage in addressing this has my permanent respect.
This video has been an "Ah ha revelation" for me. Being retired law enforcement from a large county in southern Calif., I have, for many years experienced hypervigiliance in just about every activity. This emotion has prevented me from taking that huge step and go camping for a few days. I now gave a better understanding why tinkering with knots, whittling and other busy activities really help calm my mind and really does help me remain in the present. Thank you for your insight on this subject as well as being able to articulate it so clearly, and sincerely.
Not sure if folk still read these, but thank you Nick. It is not so much the hypervigilance that has stopped me staying out overnight, but the fear of not wanting to come back in to the world. But, my sister has a small patch of land that she calls a garden and I shall be going to north wales this weekend with my tarp and hammock to sleep out in her garden so that I dont lose contact with my real life. You’ve been an inspiration
Sounds lovely. Take care of yourself
thanks for your insight Nick🙏 I suffer from HV as part of my PTSD. It's a subject that needs more talk/awareness in the world. It's very disabling and for some it literally kills them slowly. keep up the great content✊
Thanks for sharing this Nick.
I'm realising how much our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing is affected by our environment. Also how much we affect our environment, depending on our state of being.
As to companionship versus solitude, I find my needs vary from time to time. However, it is important to get the balance right.
In particular, we British men need to let go of the 'stiff upper lip' and find appropriate forums: the right times, places and people to share our feelings with.
Thanks again Nick for those wise words. Ex-RN and PTSD diagnosed, mine took 17 years to identify. I’d had a total emotional meltdown at work and my ‘lovely’ boss gave me ten minutes to ‘get over it’ which made me seek help. Almost miraculously, my GP was away and his locum was an ex-RN Surgeon Lieutenant. She diagnosed PTSD from her experience and put me on to Combat Stress. Even just being able to put a name to the awful mental state was a start..I still don’t like noise, crowds or the aggression I get at work sometimes, but knowing it’s x days or weeks until I can throw a pack on and get away is a huge help. Meantime, fixing and adapting bits of kit is also therapeutic. I’m now miles away from how bad it was and getting better. Now if only I could sleep more than a couple of hours on a wild camp...😂 All the best, Royal, and keep on keeping on 👌👍
Thank you for your service 👍🇬🇧
@@johncrouch8988 Thanks. Just did my job 👍
Thanks for sharing, so glad you finally got someone to give you some assistance.
@@stevemorris3710 Thank you. Slow process, but well started. 😀
@@Carlz1965 Facing the right way, and taking a few steps is a great start, best wishes for the journey. :-)
I don't have that issue but have known others with it. As Nick said a lot of the stress can be overcome through activity(s) that make you focus on something else/something you enjoy. Right now, as a partially disabled veteran with "long Covid", I can't get out of house as our normal weather for the deep south central U.S. is what the UK has been under emergency conditions for (90°f + and 60% + humidity= heat indices of 100° +) and gasoline at $5 + a gallon, so I just go through my kit, hands on, and read/watch things like this. I also make a point of NOT becoming addicted to/obsessed with the news - most all of it bad. especially the Ukraine business, crime & economy related stuff. My old CO used to say to the news junkies "how is your life made better by hearing about all stuff all day long?"
Fair comment pal . Is the news we are being told being told straight and true anyway ? Try watching Sailing Fair Isle to relax , learn and appreciate bits of the world you probably have never seen ; ironically the couple hosting the program are more or less retired news makers , a presenter and a camera man . Well chilled , nice folk . There are loads of similar channels I am sure.
As a teenager I lived near the Brecon Beacons and helped checkpoint minor expeditions . Once I was late leaving home due to an away rugby match delaying things . I had meant to walk to a camp site and get up on top of a Beacon ridge position , with a radio as a safety checkpoint . Things were so late that I decided to ditch the camping idea and go to where I was meant to be in the morning . This meant walking in the dark to a position overlooking what is called the Roman road to my East . Despite having walked the same route many times I got quite nervous walking in the dark , especially once I knew I was on the ridge area nearer my target position ! However I managed to get over my anxiety , my teenage fear of complete darkness and potential death due to tripping over . Since then I can handle the dark and height , I even can say I enjoy those things . As a veteran I am sure you know what I mean : I am hoping others can learn from what we say here . Respect and peace to you . Dave
@@davidyendoll5903 Short of the weather, and some items of pure, dry fact, I don't doubt that much of the other "news" is reported as they want it to be. Good on you for overcoming your obstacles. ATB !
For me, being outdoors in wild places is the only thing that switches my anxiety etc off. In the woods, i feel like i'm in control of things. It all makes sense, there is a natural order to everything., and you have to just fit in with the flow. Years ago, i was walking in the forest at night, out hunting with my lurcher, with rabbits hanging from a rope on my shoulder, and i was so nervous about what or who i might bump into, but it dawned on me, that it was the likes of me that people didn't want to bump into in the forest... Ive been happy in the deep woods ever since.
Hey, thank you for describing my every day feeling, albeit not in a hyper, I am highly vigilant. So much so, I have frozen in place, safety of my home and it's direct 'safe' surroundings like the supermarket. Although even that, is still being on alert. "Whats that guy doing? Why did they pass me by SO close? Give me some room here please!" are thoughts that constantly pass my mind.
At the end of the month, I am going to undertake something that is SO big, SO scary, just to give myself a massive kick in the butt and snap out of my 'freeze' that I have been in for a good few years now. I'm travelling to Sweden, solo, by train. To spend 2nights and three days in a country I have never been. With no one around that I know personally.
If that wont kick my out of my freeze, I don't know what will.. Your videos have helped me massively by listening, watching and steadily learning and practicing in the safety of my area. SO I feel prepared, I know how to do things. Among others, thanks to you!
Keep up the good work!
Good for you... have a great trip !
@@baronedipiemonte3990 Thanks!
Maybe thats why my dad also double checks if doors is locked , stove switched off etc. He was in war and this video makes sense
I was badly abused by self proclaimed survivalists claiming to have a military background. They had no survival skills but they hurt me in ways, I'm still coping with to this day. Researching survival skills, building my own pack and practicing those skills has been my way of taking my life back. Thank you, for your content. You are extremely helpful on this journey.
I needed to hear this today. Thank you.
Thank you for this. Your a very brave man
Great thoughts there,thank you
This was a very kind and brave thing. Thank you
Thank you for your videos and insights
Nick this is the best video you've created. Thank you. Respect as ever.
Great video again Nick. Thank you.
Thank you brother, I appreciate you.
Nick, you truly are an outstanding person, thank you !
Awesome bro, keep up the great work.
Thank you, every of yours videos are very helpful.
I trace my Hyper-vigilance back to when I was a soldier in the 1980,s. It has affected so many areas of my life. How I move through public areas, Where and how I choose to sit in pubs and restaurants, and like you , checking security of doors and bags. I have found that whilst out in the wilds at night, I prefer a tarp! Being open to the elements should make me feel more vulnerable but it eases my anxiety. Being in an enclosed tent gives my mind the chance to amplify sounds and movements in to demonic levels! The tarp allows me to feel as part of the landscape and my mind to rationalise and relax. Many Thanks for your hard work and sound information, Not bad for a "Boot Neck". LOL
Grey vid you made a lot of sense. Cheers
Great Video, can totally relate to it.
thank you. I am listening and learning
Bravo Nick. Well said.
I was diagnosed with C-PTSD after I royally fucked my life. Lost my house, kids and long term partner…. I was always hyper vigilant in large crowds, in towns especially when I went out with friends… just couldn’t relax even when I was in the Army. it wasn’t until I met my other half and got help that I paid for at the priory. Now I help her with her horses and around her yard and joined a brotherhood, something that I was previously told not to join. I still have my moments and days the black dog won’t stfu. However the support I have found and the bits I do to silent my mind and my self criticism does help me even if it’s only for a few days
You’re doing great work, thank you. Don’t stop.
Thank you so very much for this. Brilliant. Huge respect for you.
Thanks for sharing such an important topic
Excellent video.
At this very moment, I’m unable to go outside of my flat….! I live in flats 3rd Floor and since covid lockdown, I am not able to get my mind away from thinking “it’s not safe for me to go outside”. But I have 2 dilemmas, my partner is the same so, if one day I feel strong enough, to go and get myself out, she isn’t and I won’t go out on my own as I’m in a wheelchair and feel vulnerable from people behind me. This is the first time I have spoken about it. I have not left my home in nearly 3 years…! We get our shopping delivered and that’s it.
Thanks for your video’s.
👍👍👍❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks Nick, this video really helped reframe some of my anxiety that has been creeping its way into my outdoor space.
Interesting , helpful and kind . 👍
Great message pal, takes a lot to say stuff like that. Good on you.
Thank you for sharing this. I think I often feel such things but couldn't quite put it into words.
Excellent video Nick, thank you. And keep on keepin’ on.
Your channel is definately one of the most important. You are a brave man.
These video’s do make a big difference and impact for many of us. I sincerely appreciate it Nick, thank you.
A tremendous amount of wisdom and intelligence in that. It's put into words what I've sort of thought but not articulated. Many thanks :-)
Thank you!! I was sent this by a mate of mine this morning. Everything you expressed i feel! For me, it feels like the cats out the bag... its now how to deal with it. Im a Army veteran that loved the green and all that came with it. Now im anxious and to be honest scared to even go to a camp site on my own. Im hyper vigilant to every point you detailed. I have packs with coms, ifak, food water etc and every contingency plan in my car and house Just incase. Survivability is what we trained for. And now its a curse in many ways. I needed this! thank you for your openness.
Always listening and paying attention, you are a natural teacher.
Thanks Nick. That’s been really good to hear. Paul.
Your insight, understanding, and coping strategies to PTSD are the most helpful I've found. More so than even professional therapy. Thank you.
Thank you Nick! You always share something meaningful and valueable skills and wisdoms, and I'm really grateful for that. Thank you that you are out there to help people. I often found that when somebody going through certain difficulty or a huge challenge that has transformed that individual's life forever into gold, that gives millions of people a great value too by sharing those experiences. To know how to overcome those difficulties in life circumstances. I think this can give extra strength to others too.
Have a beautiful lovely day and good health to you Nick and to everyone!
Nick. You are incredible person. So much said in so little time. I am sure that many people will benefit from your advice and I'm one of them. Thank you very much Nick.
Thank you Nick and all in comments that have posted their thoughts and experiences on this subject. I have been suffering from this for quite a while without realising it had a name and definition. It took a while to sink in after watching this video, but now that I can recognise it for what it is, I feel I can start to move on and enjoy myself a bit more. Much appreciated this one, keep up the great work.👍
Great vid , think im going to book uo and have a nicw long drive out your way , really enjoy you outlook on thing no bull straight talking
Never heard of hyper vigilance before but the way you describe it so well. I can see examples of it in my own life and moments when with others. Thank you so much for this knowledge. I’m gonna look into it more 👍
Thank you for your words of encouragement you always make me feel better after whaching one of your videos lf I'm having a bad day I only found this sort of thin last year and is helping I go with good company I proffer it that way and to get lost in the moment I love it thanks again 🙏👍
your videos are helping a great deal at the moment going through a difficult and lonely time without my kids. thanks nick
Thanks very much you have just described what I am going through right now. I have suffered from depression for over 10 years but just recently I find I'm double checking, constantly checking out others when out and about. Now I know what it is so again cheers
Thank you. Listening to you, somehow made it possible that I finally went out hiking by myself today. Will build on it.
Its so good your sharing. My closest friend is male and he is a closed book. But, started to share how he's feeling after losing his wife, my good friend for 34 yrs. Its down to trusting the person your opening up to. I recharge my batteries by cycling and walking on beach. We all need something to focus on. I pray to God/Jesus, just chatting 🙏 Between all these things, I'm better for it. Coming from Glasgow, I am always aware who's around me, as too many bad things happened growing up. Blessed to be alive as I faced death a few times through violence. Im in the north east now, and its safer. God bless you in all you do. X
Nick great video. I’m a psychotherapist here in the US. Bringing this info to folks is so important. Thanks for everything you do to help yourself and others.
Loved this. Thank you. It’s something that I feel that I’ve been slipping into lately. This was very helpful and reaffirmed a healthier approach to dialling it down to vigilance. 🤝
This is a wonderful explanation of why for some of us getting out into the woods or onto the hills is so very important.
Your videos do make a difference and have made a huge difference to me. I find it hard to go out on my own, but I'm getting there with the help of my friends. The weekend I spent at HVB was an amazing experance and a catalyst for some big changes.... Thank you.
Thanks for making such cool, inspirational videos. I received a TBI in an automobile accident in Texas 1996, from which it took 10 years to recover. I grew up in a Navy family and my father was stationed mostly on the coasts. Now I live in Oregon and your outdoorsy videos bring me a real peace of mind. I still walk with a bit of a limp but i do yoga all day, every day and someday i hope to run again! I will continue to be inspired by your videos for as long as you make them....
Nick, once again a wonderful insight into a subject not talked about or covered enough, you always teach, instruct, guide us the viewer like no other bushcraft You Tuber...
Hats off mate 👏 👌
Spot on. Yes, your videos and the way you get through to people makes a huge difference. By now even my wife tells me to go watch your videos when I struggle with some "past life" issues ☺️. Hypervigiliance is still a struggle but I am now able to camp without setting perimeter defenses and such... And I got a focus. One day at a time. Thank you for sharing these tips.
As a veteran myself, this video really helped me with taking the first few steps into overnighting. I live in the US and due to my hyper vigilance I experience, especially about leaving my loved ones at home (they don’t quite enjoy camping as much as me) it was years before I got back into the outdoors. Thank you so much for this.
I don't have the same history. But I know there are people out there who needed to hear this. Thank you.
Well done.
Fair play. You get across the importance of what is essentially talking therapy and keeping the mind engaged to benefit the self very well. Nice to see.
Good on you mate. Took me a long time to enjoy hiking and not behaving like I was patrolling. It's made life a damn sight more pleasurable.
Hi Nick, I am so glad that you have made this video as I was thinking of a way to pm you to discuss this topic and what holds me back from overnighting now...For me its the fact that we would only kip when we had a buddy on stag...and we would stag on when our turn came....I am always looking out for "perceived threats and dangers" even when walking the dog in the woods i become super aware and in patrol mode, making sure that i am moving as silently as possible so as not to give my position away and always needing to spot any other walkers before they spot me so I can weight them up. It's completely irrational, I get that, i am no longer a serving soldier and the threats aren't there but I can't shake the years of being in a state of high alert. I know that If i were to do an overnighter alone I would not get any kip...I would be anxious and without the aid of night vision equipment or a weapon to protect myself with I would be very jumpy.
I'm listening , please don't stop , you are bringing to light some very important issues . I spent 90% of my time outdoors now I struggle to spend a few hours fishing before I find panic and race home . Your videos are helping me to slowly love going out again .
Thanks nick. Maybe one day I’ll magically have the words to convey just how much you have helped. Till then…. One step at a time.
Fantastic video and content Nick... I've been a vet for over 20 years now yet still notice myself being hypervigilant, especially whilst driving and sometimes even when out coaching, walking in town and sometimes even just in my own thinking. Camping and hiking especially are my release mechanisms, as you said the act of being mentally engaged in small tasks centre and ground you. Cutting wood for a fire, sharpening a knife or axe or even editing videos for social media are all great. I love being in a forest i've never been to and just map reading my way to a destination... pure joy in the moment.
Keep up the good work friend 👍
Thankyou 🙏 Your words explained so well the way I feel. I relate, and camp in my way (in a tiny van) to feel safe, but get my fill of Nature to reset my brain and cope with people. Thankyou
I can agree with the OCD
My wife just can not relax and not do anything
I don’t get any relaxation around the house as all she does is clean when it does not need cleaning
And then I get it in the ear as I’m not doing something that she wants me to do ie the next project that always gets done anyway
It’s good how you brought this up as my wife is stressed because of work and it’s even worse now
This is what she has don’t think my marriage is going to work to be honest I’m sick of it
x chin up hug up x.
There is treatment for that, both therapeutic and pharmacological. Good luck and God bless
Thank you for sharing, I believe us as men must have to find the balance with everything we do and where we go. The thing that helps me the most is knocking on trees to wake then up and knowing the crow is always watching. May God bless us all.
Thank you for sharing, I know opening up can be a big obstacle. Best wishes. Martin
Awesome words of advice. I catch myself being hyper-vigilance state at times. Some of my mannerisms are so ingrained that I don’t realize that I am doing them. I find that the crackling of a camp fire helps soothe the beast within. Cheers 🍻, take care and stay frosty 🍺🇨🇦🫡🇬🇧🍺
Left the forces 23 years ago wish I’d heard this then but now is better than never love the outdoors but can’t seem to get there yet so grateful that you have the time to help us all thank you Ray
While I do not experience difficult mental issues, I understand the honest thoughtfulness you present for those that may. Love your videos.❤️
Excellent
Thank you for making this video, and all your others, you *are* helping people. Mental health is health, we can't ignore it, even though modern western society seems to be designed to destroy it. It's no wonder people feel better in the outdoors, our brains literally evolved for it. I'm so glad I've found a group of friends who love camping as much as I do. I live my life waiting for the next trip. Keep taking care of yourself, Nick 👍
Spot on topic. Thankfully my life hasn't had any major 'challenges' but the little ones I have had stress me at times.
We all need to know that we aren't alone in OUR journeys.
Thank you
Great video and great subject, camping, outdoors, hiking, kayaking is one of many keys me and my wife use to get away and settle like bushcraft to calm down and reset
Thank you Nick , I always find your vlogs really helpful . In the last hear , lost my job ,flat , Mum ,and now have to deal with her estate and find somewhere to live again . My hyper vigilance is through the roof . Knowing that others have had to cope means a great deal . Huge respect to you , and all those struggling at the moment , Mark.
This is a great video keep them coming. My way of dealing with all this is i go trail clearing. i clear deadfall repair trails and bridges etc not because I have to but because it focuses the mind and peace of mind is the most valuable thing we can ever have. one thing I do find really helps when I go back woods camping is never take a watch forget time and all the things that go along with it, allow the days to start at sun up and end at sundown. you make some of the most realistic and well thought out videos in the bushcraft community. keep up the good work.
Wise words Nick, it takes serious effort to recognise you're not okay, and more effort to do something about it. It takes unfathomable courage to go on record like this for all and discuss it.
I've had trouble with anxiety for too long, but also find my solace in nature. Sometimes killing time in the woods can feel like a waste of time, like running away from problems that you need to address. The reality is more that it's recharging those batteries so you have the energy to return to 'real life' with more resilience and tackle things that need doing.
I'm also in the Chew Valley (only found the channel 'cause I saw your truck drive past the house), we might cross paths some point!
JB
Great video thank you for posting this.
I find most people massively overthink things when planning a trip outdoors, worrying about every little thing. Just throw the basics into a bag & go, you will learn & grow.
Don't have fear it's easy to say but hard to practice.
Thx. You hit on many good points. I call my outdoor time my going to the OC/Outdoor Chapel. It’s a good place n bush-crafting and/ or hiking helps this time out quite a bit. Take care.
Hi Nick, thank you for all your videos they are so helpful, not just for info and tutoring but for the help and advice for those struggling with mental health, being heavily involved with the Grenfell disaster I have a demons I struggle with and you are completely right just a 5 minute walk in the open space makes such a difference and no matter what mood I went out with I always come back in a better frame of mind.
Thank you for all your advice and thank you for your service.
ATB, Glen, NTL BUSHCRAFT.
Nick as always thanks for sharing. My issue is I think too far ahead. I look at a situation and extrapolate it to the nth degree. It's served me well over the years and a beer quietens it down. But it would be nice to switch it off which I think will only come with retirement. When I'm outdoors I can lose myself in nature and the world doesn't seem as bad. As I have said before I haven't read newspapers or watched the news for around 6 years and my life is so much better (if it's on in the background I'll listen). Friends with issues have also dropped their news feed and they have come out the other side. Take care, and love to the family, and keep doing what you do as it makes a difference to a lot of people.
I have PTSD and this article is very good to see
I just turned 65 and lived in the city all of my life. I want out and go camping on my own. I've gone out on Church retreats in the past. Many years ago. Now I want to explore around our lakes. Toronto Ontario Canada.
BZ Nick, here I am lying in hospital with a fractured skull after falling from my lorry & I was starting to feel sorry for myself & my ptsd was kicking in. Then up popped your video!! I feel stronger now.
Thanks for sharing those thoughts, mate, it was awesome and moving. Isn't great how much healing we can get from sitting next to a campfire and fiddling with a bit of wood or a few bits of string, and coming up with something cool or useful. My challenge has not been Hypervigilance, but depression and extremely poor self image, gained whilst experiencing childhood violent abuse, both physical and psychological. I love hiking and camping with a group, as you form very strong connections at a much deeper level than in general society, and that often facilitates sharing deeper feelings and support. But I also absolutely cherish solo stuff ( 7 days from Roper river crossing to Mataranka hot springs along the Roper river in the NT, Australia, many 5 day solo walks on the Arnhem escarpment above the Katherine gorge, Most of the Leichardt trail in Alice springs before it even existed as a formal trail, etc). I find it very Zen. It centres me and allows me to become calm. As the first day progresses I feel the tension in my chest oozing out of my body, and it is such a relief! I also get a huge boost when I succeed at something, like sitting under a tarp in the rain with a roaring fire made from wood I picked up around me that started as damp wood, or catching a Barramundi and feasting! I completely agree with your comments and sentiments - do whatever you can or need to do to get out there and heal! Be vigilant about knowledge of area and requirements, of course, but you learn a lot from a cold damp night because you forgot to check the weather, or didn't practice your fire starting before you left! :-) There are no failures, there are only lessons to be learned! Start small and close to home or civilisation though, so your early lessons aren't too bad, we don't want to put you off the whole idea! Thanks again mate, Your videos are excellent, I enjoy the bush craft, and I am also appreciating the deep dives you take from time to time.