The Good Life

One of the things I really appreciated the first time going on the trip, on a personal level, was that it helped me understand myself in the greater whole of the community--where I fit in and what I have to offer. That really allowed me to think of my strengths and weaknesses, honestly and truthfully, as a person and got me thinking of what I really want to do with my life and am I willing to do what it takes to get there. It was the first time too where I felt that an institute really allowed me to explore what it means to get to a goal, and not just the hustle and bustle of it, but also the smaller things along the way that help make getting to that goal--and navigating through life--just a little bit easier. It helped me really redefine what it means to live a meaningful life as well. Prior to the trip I was really struggling with switching to a career with an English degree, not knowing whether I was going to get a job or make money. And that was the issue, even though money was never an issue to me, as I've always wanted to live a humble life, society puts a shit ton of pressure on you that really weighs down on you even if you're not consciously thinking about it. But I learned, during my first course at Maine, that life isn't just about the end goal or the scary parts in life that people just say you have to "get through." No, the Maine trip taught me learning how to garden, and to cook, and reading, writing, and exploring yourself, and the people around you, and sitting with your discomfort, honestly and truthfully, helps creates a better and fuller person better situated to navigate the world by understanding who you are and what you're capable of. During the Maine trip there were a lot of moments that were, in a way, uncomfortable. But by professor Francis setting the tone of exploration and discovery and self-reflection, it helped me to seize the moment and the feelings I was feeling in those moments to do some things I didn't want to do. Like diving into Walden pond just because I was curious how being in a lake felt. Or being forced to tap into the flow when we were going against the current, screaming our lungs out. Or spending time out alone in the woods, something I didn't think I could do, but actually really, really enjoyed because it allowed me to really sit with the parts of me that I was uncomfortable with. Or having our dingy's motor battery and swimming from the beach to the boat just because your teacher said it was an option and you kind of wanted the challenge. And I took those lessons from those moments and applied them into real life, getting involved with clubs, being more outspoken in class, and taking the necessary steps to becoming a writer and editor despite being incredibly nervous and having horrible imposter syndrome at times. It really allowed me to tap into the flow simply because I understood different versions of myself. I could go on some more but I think that's the gist of most of things I wanted to say. I'm just very thankful for the lessons I learned in Maine and I don't think I'd be the same person if I had never went.