Lessons from the wild. What adventure teaches you about life!

By Saskia Geraghty

I’m in the middle of a Central American jungle, trekking along the Savagé River with nine other women. We’ve had a week of surfing and waterfalls in Punta Banco, and even got to see the local turtle hatchery release the babies into the wild. So, the vibes are high. Except we’re facing ‘the Red Hill’; approximately 4km of steep uphill climbing in the mud, and it’s starting to rain. The rain is actually quite welcome, as it’s safe to say we’re all sweating at this point. 

The real issue? My trusty hiking shoes, well worn in and supposedly waterproof, are starting to fall apart. Granted they are old, but that’s why I thought they’d be perfect for this jungle adventure. However, now the sole is falling off, the local guide has duct taped them twice already and is currently using his calf sock guard to help keep them together so I can make it to the homestead by nightfall. We still have 6 kms to go. 

It’s on this day that I learnt going on an adventure isn’t just about all the fun activities you’ll do, or ticking off everything on your packing list the week before (although that is very important). It’s about the unexpected moments; the universe’s little tests, I like to call them. They leave you with lessons you’ll carry long after the hiking pack has left your shoulders. 

Here’s what adventuring has taught me:

1. Discomfort is where the growth happens

Just like the time I landed in the wrong country at 9pm in the evening, having my shoes fall apart in the middle of the jungle was 100% uncomfortable and inconvenient. It showed me that people will stick by you through the tough times and help you along the way, but also that it’s totally within your hands to change your circumstances if you can. Oh, and that having an extra pair of shoes packed is extremely useful. These moments also make the best stories, which is hopefully why you’re reading along right now!

2. Patience is a superpower

Sometimes you just have to wait. Then wait some more. Like when the plane is grounded due to bad weather, or the bus hasn’t shown up on time. Life is exactly the same, not everything goes to plan all the time and often yes, we take action, but we also have to have patience as everything gets put into motion. 

3. Connection makes the hard parts easier

What’s the first thing you want to do when life gets tough? Phone a friend, right. Or hide under the doona. Eventually though, talking to someone is what helps us get through the nitty gritty bits. It’s the same on an adventure, which is exactly why we like to travel with a group of likeminded women. We’re here to support each other through the good and the challenges, which as you might know (if you’ve read some of our other blogs) is backed by science to increase our confidence and self esteem greatly. Community turns ‘I can’t do this’ into ‘maybe it is possible’. No one can do it completely alone, whether its life or adventuring

4. Letting go of control

   
   

The weather, human error and broken down cars. All things totally out of our control but completely natural. I wasn’t expecting my shoes to fall apart, but they did and I had to roll with it. At first, it feels frustrating, but then you learn to surrender. You laugh, you adapt, you discover a new path you never planned for. Life works the same way. The tighter we grip, the more exhausting it becomes; but when we loosen our hold, we find resilience, creativity, and even joy in the unexpected. Letting go isn’t about giving up, it’s about making space for magic to unfold in ways we couldn’t have made happen ourselves. 

5. Joy Found in the small things

The freshly brewed coffee in your travel mug, the dry warm blankets waiting at your accommodation after a long day outdoors, the laughter shared with each other over a silly mishap; these are the moments that make an adventure unforgettable. Out in the wild, stripped of endless choices and distractions, the smallest comforts suddenly feel like luxuries.A hot meal becomes a feast, a patch of sunlight feels like a blessing, and a belly laugh shared under the stars can feel richer than anything money can buy. These simple joys remind us that happiness doesn’t always come from grand achievements or perfect plans; more often, it’s tucked away in the quiet, ordinary details that we’re too busy to notice in everyday life.

When we slow down enough to savour them, we carry that sense of gratitude home, seeing our “normal” world with fresh eyes.

So, with all that being said, what mountain are you climbing right now? What would happen if you treated it like adventure rather than an inconvenience? Or,  if you’re feeling flat and uninspired in your everyday life, why not take on a real mountain with us in one of our upcoming treks? The wilderness is waiting to teach you too.