Learning To Slow Down: Lessons From The Trail

All my life, I’ve been constantly on the go, trying to see and do everything without paying attention to the path beneath my feet or the present moment. Hiking has helped me recognize when I’m moving too fast, both on the trail and in life. It’s often only after stumbling that I realize I wasn’t being mindful or appreciating the beauty around me. One particular hike last year up South Arapaho Peak with my brother really brought this lesson home. As we rushed to descend I wasn’t paying attention to my footing and ended up tripping and spraining my knee. That injury sidelined me from hiking for a long time, and in that forced stillness, I had to confront the pace at which I was moving—not just on the trail but in life. It made me pause and ask, “Where are you right now, and what do you need?”

This year, I’ve been hiking shorter trails with people who are new to the experience or haven't hiked in a long time. Watching the wonder on their faces as they see familiar trails with fresh eyes reminds me of the beauty I often overlook. When I slow down to hike with them, I notice things I hadn’t seen before. This shift has taught me valuable lessons about living life more mindfully, about the importance of slowing down to appreciate the moment I’m in.

We tend to live in the future or the past, constantly worrying or planning, but life is here, now. It takes practice to stay present, to be aware of the gifts of this very moment. None of us are perfect, but through intentional practice, we can learn to savor the wonder that exists all around us.

What’s your practice for staying in the moment? How can you slow down today and truly experience the world around you?