Solivagant

Nico Repollé
Aug 31, 2018 · 8 min read

Growing up, I did not have cable until I was 14 years old. I played outside instead. My parents wanted me to dig in the dirt and scrape my knees and that was okay for me, I wanted to be Tarzan when I grew up. I loved searching for animals in the oceans and the mountains. I loved climbing and exploring new places. I loved being outside and being active. Now in college not much has changed, I may not be called “Tarzan,” but people call me “Nature Boy” instead.

This summer I had a 2-week gap between my responsibilities and other activities. I did not know how to fill it. I asked around, trying to think of how I could spend my time.

“What can I do with 2 free weeks this summer?”

“Go get a quick job”, “Party with friends”, “Go to the beach”, etc..

I was hoping to hear about new creative ways I could spend my time, but all the responses were ordinary. They were based on being productive, having fun, or just relaxing. None were truly all 3; relaxing, fun, and productive. I knew that I needed to take advantage of this time because there are seven days in a week and someday is not one of them.

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I knew that I wanted to travel, be outside, and catch my breath, but I needed to have a sense of fulfillment as well. I wanted to be alone, but I wanted to explore. I sought time to read, reflect, and slow down. I desired to wander where the WiFi was weak. I needed to get outside my comfort zone. I wanted to take some sweet pictures, meet some awesome people, and do things I have never done before. The destination was unknown, but I knew I would leave and come back changed.

I decided…

I was going to be solivagant.

I was going to be a solitary wanderer.

I was going to the Adirondacks. It is a vast land full of high peaks, wild animals, waterfalls, and space. Space to be away. Space to think. Space to reflect. But I was most excited for the space to slow down and find myself.

Travel promotes creativity and growth. It broadens your mindset and allows for new experiences and opportunities. Nature increases brain function, is great for stress-reduction, and promotes sharper thinking and creativity. I am not an expert at travel, but I have just recognized the value in it. I was traveling for personal discovery and I was in nature for my personal wellness.

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I was going on an adventure. I would camp out of the back of my car and explore. I would be alone experiencing life in nature for what it truly was. I wanted to be freed from the fast pace of society and the responsibilities of life. I would go where the wind blew me. I wanted to live by the saying “Not all who wander are lost.” I did not want a detailed plan of where I was going and what I would do there. I also didn’t want to waste my time. So, I looked up the coolest spots in the Adirondacks and if I was ever in the area, maybe I would check it out. My plan was to pack smart. I would be prepared for anything I could possibly want to do.

Spending purposeful time outdoors encourages a new relationship with nature itself. Enjoying fresh air, while making memories and exploring builds a respect for what nature has to offer.

As I was getting more excited about the trip I started sharing my plans with friends and family. I got a variety of responses; Some people expressed how cool and adventurous I was. Some would interrogate me with all sorts of questions such as: Where would I stay? What would I eat? Don’t you need money for college? What if you get lost? What if something happens to you out there? Then others would immediately express their opinion on why this was a bad idea; There are bears! You will be all alone! We will miss you! It’s not safe! You are not trained!

Ultimately, it didn’t matter. I was confident in my abilities to stay out of danger and if I stumbled upon a dangerous situation, I was confident in my ability to get out of it. There is always something to be afraid of, so if you never overcome your fears, you would never do anything at all.

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As I drifted around the Adirondacks, I spent time climbing mountains, paddle boarding, jumping off cliffs, exploring waterfalls, meeting locals, and camping. I would watch the sunrise and I would watch it set. I would see wildlife in natural settings and in rehab centers.

I found myself doing a lot of things that are pushed aside in the fast pace of life. I found myself reading, writing, drawing, and exercising. I was going to bed early and waking up early. I invested in myself and in anyone I have the privilege to influence in the future. I understood that I can’t lead others until I can lead myself. I have the power and responsibility to lead and develop myself and others. But I cannot do these without reflecting and by exploring. Without engaging with the world.

As I traveled alone. I made it a priority to journal because even the weakest ink, is stronger than the strongest memory. I did not want to forget this experience. But over time in this vast landscape I got lonely, I had a lot of time to think and no one to share these experiences with. I needed to fill the space in my head. I needed to fill the silence. So, I embraced the quiet. Before the trip, my day to day life was busy. I was always looking at the next “thing” in life. I was too busy to look around and reflect on what I was learning and experiencing. I reflected on my life, on the previous year, and I confronted issues that I have been avoiding and putting off.

I looked down the path in front of me. I wondered if that was where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I imagined the life I want to live, the legacy I want to leave behind. I thought about the power of embracing quiet.

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People are uncomfortable experiencing quiet. We don’t know how to handle it. We are afraid to reflect on things we have done or things we may have to do in the future. We distract ourselves from making decisions and acknowledging problems in our lives. We are scared of asking big-picture questions and the answers we may get.

The outdoors let us get away and experience the quiet. The fresh air brings simple awareness. Nature allows us to break free from our “default settings” referring to how we go through life without actively thinking or being distracted. It let’s us be conscious and aware of our surroundings.

Not all classrooms have 4 walls, the outdoors allow us to acquire knowledge experimentally, through play, investigation, exploration, and discovery.

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I was free from my “default settings.” I was aware of my surroundings and I was better understanding myself. I was learning about the man I was and the man I wanted to become.

One day along my journey, my water supply was running low, so I stopped at a local coffee shop. While I was there, I enjoyed the luxurious amenities of WiFi and plumbing. I checked a few emails making sure that nothing urgent had happened or needed my attention. Somehow, I stumbled upon a TED talk by Mac Stone called “Stunning photos of the endangered Everglade”. The beautiful photo on the cover caught my eye so I watched it.

As Mac shared about his childhood running around in the Everglades he stated something that startled me; “Before most kids are 12, they’ll have been to Disney World more times than they’ve been in a canoe or camping under a starry sky.” Whether that statistic is true or not the idea remains the same, kids are disconnected from nature.

It makes me sad knowing that what shaped my life as a kid, was not shaping others’ lives. The thing I grew up loving, was not what others grew up loving. The thing I respected, was not being respected by others.

I did some further investigation and The Nature Conservancy conducted a survey and asked students, “How often do they spend time outdoors?” Only 40% of those who were surveyed spent time outdoors at least once a week. When the children were asked why, or “What barriers held them back from going outside?” The response of 61% said there are no natural areas near their house. The conservancy explains that is not true. It clarifies that “71% of the US live within a 10 min walk to a local park,” and that doesn’t include your backyard or nearby stream.

State Parks and National Parks are beautiful ways for people to get out in nature. These parks are often covered in roaring mountains, crystal clear lakes, peaceful creatures, and booming forests, while the skies are full of wispy clouds and sparkling stars. Everything from sunrise to sunset is full of raw power that infiltrates anyone who comes to these parks.

I love these parks and I loved my time in the Adirondacks. But it was by no means close to home. I like many of the surveyed students had the wrong mindset. I idolized these beautiful parks due to their majestic beauty. I spent too much time watching amazing nature videos and looking at National Geographic’s jaw-dropping photography. I forgot how to see the nature that is right in front of me.

Nature is not just in the big beautiful parks but it’s a place where life thrives, a place where multiple species thrive together, a place with green’s and blue’s, a place that’s thriving and filled with life and growing.

Go Outside.

The Business of Being Happy and Healthy

With gratitude, brought to you by the Startup Island community.

Nico Repollé

Written by

just a guy working to make a difference

The Business of Being Happy and Healthy

With gratitude, brought to you by the Startup Island community.

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