Introduction

Hello, and welcome to my little corner of the internet. My name is Rob, and I’ve decided to embark on a new journey: blogging. Or rather try my hand at it again…

As you can see from previous posts, I did try it a decade or more ago and it helped get thoughts from head to virtual paper but I ended up giving it up, and that’s ok! I had other priorities (and still do to some extent) but I think it can be therapeutic to get thoughts and feelings out and help one gain some introspection in to one’s self.

Getting older means hopefully getting wiser and brings, as I said above, introspection. So, this space will be my journal, a place where I can share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences as I navigate the complexities of getting older and a growing desire for more adventures and re-connecting with nature.

You might be wondering, why now? Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection. The passage of time feels more tangible than ever, and with it comes a mix of emotions—fear, hope, nostalgia, and excitement. I want to capture these moments, document my journey, and perhaps even connect with others who feel the same way. As I approach my 40th birthday, I feel a strong call to adventure, a need to explore new horizons and reconnect with parts of myself that I’ve neglected for too long, and I want to excite and bring my family along with me.

Reflecting on Aging

Getting older is a strange thing. On one hand, there’s a certain wisdom and confidence that comes with age. I’ve learned so much about myself and the world around me over the years. On the other hand, there’s an undeniable sense of urgency. The realization that time is finite makes me extremely aware of the dreams I’ve yet to chase and the experiences I’ve yet to have.

As I reflect on my life so far, I see a collection of moments with significant milestones and precious memories. From the early days of childhood (like 5 or 6 years old being the earliest memories I have), to the days of being bullied in high school (see a past blog entry where I touch on this here) to the stress filled, anxiety driven journey of adulthood, each phase has shaped me into who I am today and I am proud of who I am and the life I have.

However, as I look ahead, I can’t help but feel a longing for something more—something adventurous. I have travelled to a decent handful of countries in the western hemisphere, have plans to visit New Zealand (for my 40th birthday) and Thailand (for our 20th Anniversary) in the near future as well as Disney Land with Xander in a year or so. But I long for something different. Something more rugged. The routine of daily life, the constant connection to technology, and the noise of the modern world have left me yearning for a deeper connection with nature and a simpler, more fulfilling way of living or exploring.

Oh and the irony of using technology to lament always being connected to technology has not escaped me 😅

The Desire for Adventure

What does adventure mean to me? It’s not just about traveling to far-off places, though that is certainly part of it. Adventure is about stepping out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and embracing the unknown. Getting down and dirty, relying on myself more. It’s about pursuing passions I’ve put on hold and making time for the things that truly matter. More importantly, it’s about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature—spending time outdoors, breathing fresh air, and finding peace in the simplicity of the natural world.

I have a list of dreams and goals that I want to achieve. Some are big, like traveling to New Zealand. Others are smaller, like reading more books, learning a new skill, spending more time outdoors, or simply being more present in everyday moments. I want to hike new trails, camp under the stars, and feel the earth beneath my feet like I did (at least more often) as a kid. Camping under the stars in particular is what I would say is the most current “want” at the moment. Living in a larger city has kept me from seeing the stars as I did as a kid. I want to show Xander, my son, The Milky Way as he has never seen it.

I want to teach Xander about all of these things. He has grown up in a different world from what I grew up in. He doesn’t know a world before technology. Each one these goals represents a step toward living a fuller, more adventurous life and hopefully finding clarity in what is truly calling me to this life of adventure as I turn 40.

Family and Nature

A big part of this journey is also about spending more time with my wife and son. I’m excited to show my son the amazing world and nature around us—to teach him the beauty of the outdoors, the joy of exploring, and the peace that comes from disconnecting from technology. These moments together are priceless, and I want to make the most of them as a family.

My wife too has a new found interest in the outdoors, hiking, backpacking to campsites, survival skills; and this excites me! I want to teach her what I already know and the learn new skills together along the way.

Moving Forward

I am committed to embracing change and making room for new experiences. This blog will be a testament to that commitment, a place where I can hold myself accountable and share my journey with you. I hope that by writing about my adventures, both big and small, I can inspire you to pursue your own. I’m not entirely sure if this blog thing will work out, or if it will just be another one-off post on a blog that then sits for another decade; but I hope, if I can keep with it, that it can help me discover my true self and understand this pull to nature and adventure.

Some posts may be shorter, journal like entries (Saw a moose today, it was cool), to longer more introspective posts to perhaps something in between.

So, here’s to new beginnings and the adventures that lie ahead. I invite you to join me on this journey. Share your thoughts, experiences, and dreams in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s embark on this new chapter together.