In 2018, we are living in the digital age. It has become an insane world where everything we do is shaped by technology and data. Whether it is driving a car, texting a friend or watching a movie, our data is constantly being analysed.

How Spending Time In the Outdoors Has Changed My Life

by Sarah Gallagher

In 2018, we are living in the digital age. It has become an insane world where everything we do is shaped by technology and data. Whether it is driving a car, texting a friend or watching a movie, our data is constantly being analysed. Every day on social media, we are ambushed by advertisements and sponsored posts. Not only are companies continually forcing their advertisements on us, we are ambushed by an unrealistic representation of life. I was 15 when I first started using social media. Back then, social media wasn’t plagued with Photoshop and filtered images. Instead, it was used to connect with friends and share photos.

Over the past two years, I have become more and more aware of the detrimental effects of social media on not only my own mental health, but societies health. With a rise in cyberbullying and mental illnesses in Australia, we can't argue that this cannot be attributed to the evolution of social media. In the last two years, I have struggled to not compare myself to “influencers” on Instagram whom appear to live crazy lives travelling around the world. Although these social media personalities are normal people, it can be difficult not to measure up and compare your life working 9-5 to their lives living in different countries each week.

Having realised the strain social media was placing on my own life, I turned to the outdoors. I found that spending time in nature, away from the distractions of your phone or digital devices, I began to love myself again. I became confident in my personality and started to truly appreciate the person I was. Throughout highschool and university, self-confidence was always something I struggled with. I constantly compared myself to others and never really saw the interesting and great parts of my own personality.

Having realised the strain social media was placing on my own life, I turned to the outdoors. I found that spending time in nature, away from the distractions of your phone or digital devices, I began to love myself again. I became confident in my personality and started to truly appreciate the person I was. Throughout highschool and university, self-confidence was always something I struggled with. I constantly compared myself to others and never really saw the interesting and great parts of my own personality.

Now, spending almost every weekend hiking, I am really learning to enjoy life again. I love the challenge of hiking and the constant need for endurance and mental strength. You learn to be entirely self-sufficient and enjoy the world around you. In the outdoors, you can reject technology. You can leave everything that may be impeding on your life behind.

Having found a passion in adventure and hiking, I am continually setting goals and challenging myself. I have so many trails that I want to do across the world and I cannot wait to get started. Sometimes, it is a bit intimidating when you see skilled hikers and trekkers online, but if I look back at where I started and how much I know now, I am baffled. I know so much more about the great outdoors and am becoming a more confident multi-day hiker.

I hope that within the next year, I can save enough money to complete the Appalachian trail. That is my next major goal.

Hear more of Sarah's 'Happy Hiking' adventures next month!

Sarah's Gear List

MSR Hubba Hubba tent

Keen Hiking Shoes

Osprey Aura 65L AG Pack

Optimus Elektra Stove

Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight pillow

Sea to Summit Comfort Light Mat