Why Camping?
I know a lot of you are asking yourselves “but why camping? Why spend so much time in the woods getting bit by bugs or worrying about a campfire when I could spend that time doing something else? Yeah, humans used to do it because we had to, but it seems like no one should want to go camping in today’s age when we have the luxuries of a real bed and air conditioning at home.”
I must admit, I never questioned being outside. Growing up, I would spend a lot of time outdoors with my dad and grandparents, but rarely was camping our “go-to”. And even then, it was cabin camping—believe it or not, I used to be afraid of the dark and the idea of sleeping outside terrified me as a kid. So, it was neighborhood walks and birdwatching at the feeder in the backyard. As I grew older, I found myself wanting to spend more and more time outdoors; nature was my safe space and place of peace, a place where I could turn off my brain and quit thinking about whatever was stressing me out. Fast forward a few years. As an adult, going on walks or even day trip hikes became something where they weren’t as calming as they used to be. I still loved them, but I was so busy with daily life that it seemed they never lasted long enough for me to truly take a beat and relax a little; I knew I needed to find a larger outlet. Then came the week that both of my grandparents passed away. After their funerals, I started thinking about the childhood summer camping trips they used to take my brother and me on, how much fun we used to have during our week-long adventures in Cherokee, NC. It brought back a lot of good memories during a time when I needed them.
When I returned home to Nashville after the funeral services, I threw myself into work—anything I could do to keep me distracted from what I’d just dealt with. No matter how hard I worked though, I would find myself thinking of my grandparents and would break down crying at the least opportune times. After a month of this, I concluded that I needed a reset and an actual time set aside to mourn. Once again, the memories of my childhood camping trips came to mind. Knowing how much nature calmed me, I made the decision to try a long weekend of camping—real, tent camping. I figured it would be a good way to honor my grandparents and to practice self-care, and the closest national park was less than two hours away. Thus, I spent my first camping trip in years at Mammoth Cave National Park, and after a long weekend I returned to Nashville a changed person, refreshed and ready to begin again.
We all need some sort of release— for some people it’s cooking, for others it’s painting or regular exercise. For me, it was camping. I want to share my knowledge and experiences to help others determine if this is their release. As women, we’re told that the world is dangerous, with much of it still being “too” dangerous for women to do some things alone. Yes, the world can be a dangerous and scary place. However, many horror stories are simply that–stories. With the right equipment and the know-how, women can conquer anything including the great outdoors. And who knows? You might just find a new sense of self trying something new. Thus, the purpose of this site. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about camping, I implore you to investigate further!
Is it Right for Me?
Camping is usually a wonderful experience for me no matter the weather or destination, but it’s not for everyone! If you aren’t an outdoorsy person, you will probably enjoy traveling more if you’re in a hotel or rental home. If you live to be outside, try it out!
A good way to get started camping is by taking a short trip close to home. When I first got into solo camping, I chose a weekend trip at a destination less than two hours from where I lived. If something went wrong or if I didn’t like it, I could easily pack up and leave. If you’re unsure, this is the best way to try it! If you’re unsure about solo camping, bring a friend—it’ll be a great bonding experience! Keep in mind that your first camping experience probably won’t have everything go according to plan. If you anticipate that possibility and are able to be flexible, you’re more likely to enjoy it no matter what happens. You can also rent camping gear from local outdoor stores that may be near your campground– if you don’t like it, you didn’t just sink a bunch of money into something that doesn’t work for you.