On my flight back from a recent business trip, I reached Boston and had to change planes for the final leg up to Portland. I hadn’t paid much attention when making my reservations, so was a little surprised when I saw that the plane we’d be taking for the final leg was a small five-seater and that the open cockpit meant we’d be able to watch the pilots in action. I was definitely guaranteed a window seat. The flight was thankfully uneventful, and what struck me most was that I couldn’t have even gotten on the plane ten years ago. I had too much anxiety about flying.
I had anxiety about a lot of things, but in the last ten years I’ve realized that the more I push myself beyond my comfort zone and challenge myself the more my fears ease.
Comfort zones act like our friend, but they’re really not. They’re the frenemy who holds you back. I’m not saying I’ve swung to the other extreme of becoming an adrenaline junkie and only doing things that make me uncomfortable. It’s about finding the balance. I still love hanging in my comfort zone as much as the next person but now I push myself out on occasion and take more risks. I’ve never been happier.
So how to challenge myself this year?
My husband and I love to hike. You’ll find us on the trails most weekends, but as a friend recently pointed out when my husband repeatedly answered no to his questions about whether we hiked mountains or other challenging trails, we’re really more brisk walkers than hikers. When we hit an incline of even the smallest grade, it’s a challenge for me. I think it’s time to work on this limitation.
Since I love challenges (hello, blogging a to z), finding a hiking related challenge seems like the perfect fit. I’m intrigued by the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit. For this challenge, you need to hike six smaller mountains in the Moosehead Lake region of Maine.
I found a great summary of the distance and elevation of the mountains on The Maine Highlands1 website which I re-ordered by distance:
Number Four Mountain
3.3 miles round trip / Ascent 1,373’ / End Elevation 2,890’Borestone Mountain
3.5 miles round trip / Ascent 962’ / End Elevation 1, 923’Mount Kineo
3.8 miles round trip / Ascent 737’ / End Elevation 1,450’Big Moose Mountain
4 miles round trip / Ascent 1,647’ / End Elevation 3,196’Eagle Rock
6.3 miles round trip / Ascent 897’ / End Elevation 2,290’Whitecap Mountain
6.5 miles round trip / Ascent 1,909’ / End Elevation 3,644’
While it has taken us four years to make it through the Maine Beer Trail, this challenge might take us even longer, as this part of Maine is not close to where we live. There will be some planning involved. But, as I mentioned in my N Post, Planning is one of my favorite parts of new experiences.
Why does this bring me bliss? I’ll admit in the moment risk taking isn’t necessarily blissful. It can be scary, challenging, overwhelming and a host of negative emotions but when you get to the other side and accomplish something amazing then you get to the bliss. As I talked about in my theme reveal post, I am most afraid of not making forward progress on focusing on those things that bring me true joy. I can’t get there without taking risks.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
1“Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit: The Maine Highlands.” The Maine Highlands Regional Tourism, themainehighlands.com/story/moosehead-pinnacle-pursuit.
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2020. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Bliss. To read more of my A to Z posts from this year, click HERE.
Weekends in Maine 
These 6 mountains are quite a challenge to hike! The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was to leave my family, country, apartment, cosy life for the other side of the Planet, and live on a boat 😉 Never regret it 😉
T is for Taupe
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That is a big risk. I’m so glad it worked out well for you.
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Balance is definitely where it’s at – between comfort and chaos!
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So true! Like most things in life – balance is key.
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Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit looks very inviting to me. I’m a mountain girl and have always loved hiking. Luckily for me, being born in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India gives me easy access to some stunning treks whenever I am to able travel back to my home state.
Praying for this virus to abate soon as the summer months are the time when mountains open up and with that opens up the main earning season for communities who depend on trekkers and tourists for their livelihood.
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How wonderful to have grown up in such a beautiful spot. I’m sure the hikes are amazing. I hope things are able to open up soon too. Maine is a vacation destination and our economy relies on summer tourists.
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Oooh what a cool challenge to partake in. Will you write about your experiences? I want to live through you! ❤ You inspire me to get my butt in gear with my hiking pursuits. 🙂
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Definitely! I hope we’re able to hit the hiking trails again soon. I really miss it.
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Me too ❤
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Seems we are all taking risks these days simply going to the grocery store or post office! Better to take those risks in pursuit of joy. I am a social dancer (swing and salsa) — but that will be off limits of a year or more. I’ve been considering hiking and your post inspires me to start getting in shape.
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Dancing sounds like a lot of fun. Even hiking has been challenging as the trails have been so crowded that we haven’t been able to go. I’m hoping we can get back to the trails again soon.
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Even though I am not a passionate hiker (as opposed to my Dad who would JUMP at this challenge!) these goals sound mighty scenic! Maybe I’m just impressed by the pretty names, though. Anyway, it’s good to overcome fears, leave your comfort zone and reach goals. Since you and your husband do it together the risk is definitely calculated. Congratulations on tackling it and good luck!
(Tomorrow’s post will include some of these topics as well 🙂
My T is for William Tell, our national hero:
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-tell-typography.html
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Good for you. The first 4 look moderately challenging and the last 2 you’ll be pushing it but the first 4 are conditioning for the others. You got this! Having a partner engaged in the challenge has got to make it easier. Going to graduate school is the biggest challenge I’ve taken, but when I think about physical challenges, I’m a wimp. Maybe it’s time I started thinking about a physical challenge!
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It does help to have someone on the trails with you. It’s a motivator! Grad school is definitely a big challenge. Congrats! Weekends In Maine
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Thanks a lot, it was a decade ago now. Your post is an encourager for a new challenge 🙂
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I am not a hiker but I’ll bet you see some amazing things on those trails.
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Bet those will be a photographic treasure to see! Hope you can go!
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Me too! Right now, I’m just hoping we can get back to our regular hikes soon.
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I may gain unwanted pounds. But trying to just stay steady as she goes. lol
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Steady going is a good plan for right now.
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I guess most of my life has been getting out of my comfort zone, in one way or another. Heights terrify me, but I got on a plane and off we went. Each flight has been less and less stressful.
My upcoming “get out of my comfort zone” is to go to iFly, Indoor skydiving. This will be my birthday gift to me. It will happen at the very end of June. Won’t have to gird my loins for a month and a half. Then…
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That’s a great “get out of my comfort zone” activity! Have fun indoor skydiving!
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This made me think of a quote, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” (Neale Donald Walsch)
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What a great quote and definitely goes well with the theme of this post.
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Sounds like a great challenge. I look forward to following your hikes.
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Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting back to the trails once things return to normal.
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Staying in a job for 18 years when I should have left after probably 3 or 4 years proves I like to stay pretty firmly ensconced in my comfort zone. Need to branch out….
(I did with the job, by the way)
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I think it’s really challenging with jobs though – especially depending on where things are with family and such. Glad you changed paths and hope you are happy now job wise!
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