Adventure into Wellness — One Small Step at a Time

After a long pause in the development of Adventure into Wellness, I'm delighted to say that I've now relocated to Skipton, on the edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.

It's such a wonderful location for exploring the restorative benefits of spending time outdoors. Surrounded by hills, moorland, woodlands and rivers, with beautiful Yorkshire towns and villages scattered throughout the landscape, there are countless opportunities to enjoy nature.

Having been on my own difficult journey over the last year, I've had neither the time nor the energy to develop my ideas around Adventure into Wellness.

What started as an idea about bringing together my love of the outdoors, the evidence of its benefits for our health and wellbeing, and my experience and training in mountain leadership, mental health and mind-body practice became just another project that I struggled to find the energy to pursue.

As I watched the care home business I'd worked on for 15 years begin to fail and eventually close, much of my attention was consumed by the practical, financial and emotional consequences.

The experience has left me reflecting on many things, not least the importance of looking after our own mental and emotional wellbeing, particularly during periods of uncertainty and change.

Throughout this difficult period, one of the things I've continued to return to is the outdoors.

Whether walking in the hills, climbing, or simply spending time in the countryside, I've found that being active in the natural environment offers something that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

Space to think. An opportunity to gain perspective. A temporary escape from the constant demands of everyday life.

Sometimes it's the physical challenge that helps. At other times, it's simply slowing down, noticing what's around me and allowing myself a little breathing space.

Of course, spending time outdoors doesn't make life's difficulties disappear. But it can change how we experience them and sometimes help us find a little more clarity, confidence and resilience.

A new beginning

My unexpected move to Skipton has brought me closer to some of the things I enjoy most, and I'm beginning to see opportunities to breathe new life into Adventure into Wellness.

One idea that has been taking shape is something quite simple.

Sometimes we need something different from a walk alone, with friends or as part of a group. We might want someone to talk to, a little encouragement, a new experience or simply an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in supportive company.

With that in mind, I'm introducing one-to-one Wellness Walks, individually tailored to people's interests, confidence and abilities.

It's a chance to share my enthusiasm for the outdoors while drawing on my professional experience of supporting people's mental and emotional wellbeing.

I've put together a separate page explaining the idea and how the walks work.

Find out more about Wellness Walks

One small step at a time

I'm not expecting Adventure into Wellness to suddenly become something enormous.

After everything that's happened, I'm increasingly appreciating the value of taking things slowly, making space for what matters and allowing new possibilities to develop.

Perhaps that's an appropriate philosophy for Adventure into Wellness itself.

A chance to reconnect with something I care about, share some of what I've learned and hopefully offer something worthwhile to others along the way.

One small step at a time.