Hiking Through the Hard Days: A Battle of Willpower

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
— Robert Collier

There’s something undeniably powerful about keeping a streak going. Every week, without fail, I hit a trail somewhere in the U.S. or Canada, but primarily in my home state of Minnesota. Yep. Since May 2023, I’ve hiked every single week, no matter the conditions. And while I’m proud of that streak, it hasn’t always been easy.

Let the Battle Commence

Minnesota winters can be brutal. Below-zero temperatures that bite at your face and hands to winds that freeze your breath as you inhale, and humid, warm breath that freezes to your gear when you exhale. The summer months are equally challenging with heat, humidity, and insects that make every step feel like walking through an exhausting, sweaty, buzzing wall. There have been days when my body screamed at me to stop, and my mind joined in with a host of reasons why I should turn back. But I’ve learned something important. The release, the clarity, and the peace that occurs during and after the hike is always worth the effort.

The Elephant in the Room

The hardest part of any hike isn’t the trail itself. It is finding motivation to start in the first place. I’m often locked in a battle with myself, a kind of tug-of-war between the stubborn will of my mind and the calming pull of my nervous system. My mind wants to keep me comfortable and safe inside, while my body, moreover, my nervous system, knows that getting out there is the only way to find the release. It’s as if I’m trying to overcome a mental barrier with every step.

But what I’ve discovered is once I overcome the initial resistance, I have my first victory. The real battle isn’t physical, it’s mental. When I push through, I enter a different space, one where my thoughts calm, my energies shift, and my body and mind start to feel lighter.

Own It

What helps? Accountability. Sometimes the hardest person to let down is yourself, but letting someone else down can be even harder. Having someone who expects me to show up, whether it’s a fellow hiker, my family, or just friends who know about my weekly streak, pushes me forward. Their support holds me to my commitment, especially when my motivation wanes.

I’ve hiked through illness, depression, exhaustion, and every kind of mental or physical setback. But every time I make it through, I feel stronger, both physically and emotionally. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

So, if you’re facing hard days, know that you’re not alone. The first step is the hardest, but the payoff is undeniably worth the effort. If you need to, find someone who will help hold you accountable, and take that first step. Whether the trail is snow-covered, sweltering, or just plain tough, you’ll always come out the other side feeling better than when you started. Furthermore, you will reap all the benefits that come from this healthy lifestyle activity and keep your progress moving in a forward direction.

The Summit:

Some days will be harder than others, but that’s part of the process. Every hike, no matter how tough, is a step forward. Whether you’re battling the weather, your mind, or your own energy, remember that the trail is always there, waiting for you to return. Trust that the release you feel, and the mind-sorting opportunity is worth the effort. Keep going and let the trail guide you to a better place.