Checking in with yourself.

Trending lately have been the countless attempts of companies describing their practices as sustainable. To their credit, many have succeeded. But, at what cost?

The sustainability of a business or an idea can only last as long as the mental health of the people who drive the ship. We understand this. So, we set out to reclaim some mental health amidst the weight of requirements placed on us.

 

We met up in Portland with some close friends and brainstormed how the hell we were going to get all of our gear out to the campsite. After nearly putting together a spreadsheet on the available configurations for carrying all our gear, the final hurdle was to use our new Land Rover Defender to tow a janky ass pop-up trailer straight from the 80’s. During the sketchy drive out east, we asked one another multiple times if this was gonna work. A few hours, some frightful turns, and some belly laughs later and we are please to note it did.

Setting up camp is a rite of passage to freedom. When you get out of your vehicle and smell the cool air (it was about 20 degrees cooler here than what we expected it to be), you kind of enter a flow state. Suddenly, stepping outside grants you the permission to loosen up, be happy and start enjoying the simple things. There are no shelves, drawers or walls around your campsite. You don’t have to ‘put things away’ or mop up the ground when you spill your beer (err … water). You just kind of say, ‘fuck it.’ And you know what makes it even better? Cold pizza.

“Suddenly, stepping outside grants you the permission to loosen up, be happy and start enjoying the simple things.”

We spent the next couple of hours not worrying about how long it took to set up camp. Light was starting to run out, but we didn’t care. We were having too much fun being kids and I don’t mean acting childish. Instead, it means connecting with those around you and not your spreadsheets or call lists or meetings. You won’t ever have a fuller breath of clean air than when you invest your time into yourself and remove the weight of others’ expectations pressing down on you.

After you set up camp, the hunger really catches up to you. So, you unload what you have and get creative. For us, this meant grabbing what inspired us in the moment and working together to make something epic happen.

To escape the mundane campfire meals, we created this dish as it presented itself to us. Starting with the mainstays and gradually adding a few key ingredients, the meal started to take shape; it presented itself to us. Good things happen when you are in a flow state with those you care about, and whom care about you. Limitations and guidelines don’t really seem to effect you all that much anymore because of your clear and open mindedness. Letting the experience guide you instead of the other way around is refreshing. And when you let go of the control, your world opens up for you.

Satiated, we decided to take some drinks down to the water to get a final look at our campground before nightfall. The pines kissed us as we made our way through the thicket down to the waters edge. Thankfully, we were greeted by a breeze and no light pollution. We probably just stood there for a few moments as the last of the days sun passed away over the western hillside. It was Evenings’ turn to take center stage, and walking back to camp, we happily accepted it.

A well rested evening presented us an opportunity to wake the entire campsite with the sound of our coffee grinder. Without a shred of hesitation, we plugged it into the back of the Landy and let it rip. Needless to say, we thought it was worth it. The jury is still out for the rest of the campers.

“The remainder of the day was spent at the waters edge enjoying what we set out to enjoy; the company of those close to us.”

Packing up on the third day was bittersweet. We missed home for different reasons, but what we all missed the most was a shower. However, the choice to remove ourselves from the monotony of the day-to-day was necessary. Because when we left and came back, our jobs were still there. The businesses we left behind kept on going. Client issues and work obstacles still needed resolutions. And there were still individuals asking for us to perform in the ways we are required to. Because the work never truly ends, the necessity of self care is above and beyond everything else. You cannot sustain a high level of mental and physical effort toward infinity; you need breaks. You deserve breaks.

Surround yourself in spaces where rest, recovery and thoughtful investment in the self are the norm. Leave behind the ones which are not. Invest in yourself. Your life is counting on it.