It’s funny how something that brings us so much joy can start to feel like a list of expectations.
I should be outside.
I should be doing more.
I should be going harder.
I shouldn’t be on the couch.
I definitely shouldn’t be enjoying it in here, inside.
The Weight of Expectation
Mountain towns like Whistler come with their unique brand of pressure. Being outdoors is the reason a lot of us moved here, so it’s no surprise that it’s in our blood and deeply entwined in the fabric of our culture. People here LIVE the outdoors, in every sense of it.
Along with that, mountain towns also attract the best of the best – the athletes, the elite adventurers, the ones who bag a summit before breakfast. These people are on a mission to do incredible things in the outdoors, and there’s something about watching them chase the edge of what’s possible that makes you want to step a little further outside your own comfort zone. Being surrounded by that kind of drive and ability has nudged me to stretch my limits in ways I might not have if I hadn’t seen it up close.
But that kind of excellence can be a double-edged sword. It quietly raises the bar, even when no one’s asking you to reach it, and can stir up some sneaky self-doubt.
The Comparison Trap
It’s easy to look around and feel like everyone else is doing more. That they’re out every weekend (or day!) getting after it. I’ve absolutely looked at friends (and strangers) and thought, “It just seems so effortless for them.” The early mornings, the big objectives, the endless energy.
And then I think: If I really loved the outdoors as much as I say I do, wouldn’t it always be easy? Wouldn’t I always want to go? Shouldn’t I hate staying inside? Surely they don’t feel this way?
But here’s the thing. You don’t have to love being outside all the time to be outdoorsy. There is no official benchmark you have to keep up with or a correct way to do it that qualifies you as outdoorsy.
Realizing That Outdoorsy Doesn’t Have to Mean Extreme
I am in the process of learning to appreciate being outside for the outdoors’ sake. Living in Whistler, the outdoors suddenly became tied to so many things: adrenaline sports, objectives, how many days I’ve skied this year and if I’m going hard enough. In all of that, I forgot how to be outside just to be.
Letting go of the pressure has given me space to enjoy nature without a mission or objective. I bought a paddleboard just to enjoy floating around, without turning it into another sport (although paddleboard touring does sound fun – multi-day trip anyone?!).
So, if you ever feel like you’re “not outdoorsy enough,” remember: you don’t have to fit anyone else’s version of what it means to love the outdoors. It’s okay if getting outside doesn’t always come easily.
Your slow days, your rest days, your I-dont-feel-like-being-outside days – they all count. You don’t have to be the most hardcore. You don’t have to be consistent. And if today that means staying in and watching Netflix with the curtains wide open so you can still see the trees? That counts too.
Ways to Let Go of the Pressure and Enjoy the Outdoors on Your Own Terms
So, how do you let go of the expectations and just enjoy getting outside? Here are a few things that have helped me:
- Redefine What Counts as “Outdoorsy”: It doesn’t have to be extreme. You don’t even need to break a sweat. You can just be outside.
- Stop Comparing Your Adventures to Others: Social media makes it easy to feel like everyone else is doing more. All. The. Time. But remember, those highlight reels don’t show the in-between moments.
- Listen to What Your Body and Mind Need: Some days, adventure means a big mission. Other days, it means resting so you don’t burn out. Being inside doesn’t make you not outdoorsy (as contradictory as that may sound).
- Remind Yourself Why You Love the Outdoors in the First Place: Is it the fresh air? The peace? The movement? Focus on your reasons, not what anyone else is doing.
And here’s the part I hope you take with you – you belong in the outdoors.
Whether you’re going big or keeping it chill. Whether you’re summiting or sitting still. Whether it’s a breeze or more of a battle.
Let’s all take the pressure off of being outdoorsy.
