I don't think it's a "midlife crisis" in my case, but it certainly is a time of change. I don't anticipate this blog getting views, but it's been a long time since I had a journal of any sort
A few years back my spiritual path started to change. From being what I thought was very spiritual to now identifying as an atheist. With that came changes to so many of my community commitments, time I spent going to gatherings and producing a podcast
Next was work. For many years we had been scraping by. I knew we were poor, but tried to give the kids the best life we could. They noticed but were kind enough to not point it out until later. Many days I would work I high stress office job and come home to split firewood. Cutting wood on the weekends and heating with a wood stove allowed us to squeak by. Eventually I got a second job to help pay for a mortgage. Seven years or so of working two jobs. With as lot of encouragement I decided to join the supervisor training program. While not at full pay it's paying me just enough to justify only having one job
My wife and I are also about to be empty nesters; our youngest is moving out in November
With time in my schedule that I had previously occupied with work, and with the encouragement of my therapist I started to explore who I was now, and what to spend my time on. I enjoy reading but that's not how I want to spend extended periods of time. I love comics but it is an expensive hobby and suffers the same restlessness as reading. I bought a few supplies and was gifted others for art projects but didn't seem to find the urge. What else was there?
I remembered that I had always liked walking/hiking. As a child I would wander to woods near home, becoming familiar with the trails. Even as an adult I could be counted on to wander off in a store, or if we took the kids to a park I would wander down trails I found. I had said for years half in jest that I would like to take a vacation where I walk out the door and call in a week to tell someone where to pick me up. Eventually I realized that IS a hobby. So I started taking longer walks
Just earlier this year walking a few miles would have been a challenge. As a custodian I walked a lot of steps, don't get me wrong, but it's not quite the same. I've been slowly building my endurance. Last week my app informed me I had walked over 1000 miles in half a year. Yesterday I walked 25 miles in a day. I have lost some weight but overall it has helped immensely with my mood and blood pressure
While exploring trail maps and websites I came across the Iron Belle here in Michigan. Parts are still under construction but when done it will connect, though interconnected trail systems, Belle Isle to Iron Mountain
