In search of adventure twenty-two years ago, I left home to be a ski bum for a year. I knew in my heart that there was a whole world out there. My folks and I were skiing at Boyne Mountain over spring break. The resort had some brochures with some photos of Big Sky Resort in Montana. The mountains of Big Sky, Montana called me way back then, because when I got home from our ski trip, I searched for jobs. The Huntley dining room found a new busser and I moved west a week later. The rest is history.
I have since found myself called back to the big sky and the mountain town of Bozeman.
What really called me back besides the sheer beauty of this place were my friends and relationships I had developed over eight years of living in this town previously. I left in the fall of 2015 after selling the majority of my belongings and jet setting overseas. After traveling through Central and South America for six months, I returned to the US for a job in Texas with the intention of leaving there after a year of working and saving money.
The mountains are calling and I must go. John Muir
Fast forward two and half years and I landed, again, back in the big sky. I didn’t intend to stay as long as I did in Texas, but alas, the job and life were not so bad. It did take me a long time to find some quality friends, but ultimately, the mountains called and I returned to Montana a month ago. The friends I have here blend into family and it was like we never skipped a beat. It felt more like a few weeks had gone by versus the 3 years since I had left on my adventure.
Community or my tribe is an important piece in my life as I imagine it is in yours. YARx is built around this feeling of community. It welcomes every woman, no matter what ailment or otherwise might be going on. This is a safe space where women can come and find solace and leave empowered to embrace life head on.
My former tribe has welcomed me back into town with open arms. I have been trying to build those relationships again in hopes of producing some local programming and beyond for women. People in this town are receptive and open-minded.
Following your heart and passion takes a lot of guts, but mostly keeping faith in yourself is key. Faith in the fact that you can do whatever it takes to make a life you dream of. When people ask me, what it is I want in life – I tell them that I already have it. AND I have been living it for a long time. I have family, friends and a warm place to stay (it is winter in Montana after all). I’ve been living a life for myself, which makes ME happy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a life for everyone, and I do get upset and down on occasion, but for the most part, I’m happy.
People will then ask, well don’t you want ‘xy or z?’ I stare for a minute and decide, and kindly say “nope, I have all I need.” Yes, I want a house. Yes, I want a Porsche or BMW. Yes, I want to travel (oh wait I do). I already know and have known that ‘things & stuff’ don’t make me happy. Happiness comes from my community and an inner peace. Yes, I still struggle and suffer with wanderlust and I have yet to find a cure for this. Life makes you happy if you choose to really live it. Chasing after dreams is fine, but don’t forget to smell the wildflowers along the way.
Life is a journey; enjoy it. You don’t need big fancy cars and houses to bring happiness or contentment. That has to come from within.
Let’s adventure together!
Diana is an Adventurer, Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS), worked as professional outdoor recreation educator for people with and without disabilities for the last 20 years, traveled to over 20 countries and is also certified in Wilderness First Aid. She climbed many mountain peaks, biked numerous trails and paddled all around the world. Join her on the next adventure here.
Ladies, if you thought you couldn’t do it, think again. If you hang out with us for too long you’ll start believing in yourself and leave knowing you can accomplish anything.
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