Let me introduce you to one of my favorite hiking spots: Chautauqua Park. Even though it’s in Boulder, I’m calling it local because it’s only a short (40 minute) drive from Denver. It’s a great place to go for a morning jaunt in nature. Or as I call it: hiking.
There are eight trails to choose from ranging in difficulty. I don’t know much about the technical terms for categorizing hiking trails but in my world they’re either easy or hard. The trails at Chautauqua are all pretty easy but getting from the parking lot to the trailheads is really hard. I’m always gasping for air two minutes into it. Meanwhile, people are literally running by me and I hate my life. Once you get on the trails though, they’re pretty easy. And once you get to the top, the views are breathtaking.
This past weekend, my friend Renee and I meandered around for an hour and a half just taking in the scenery and petting the dogs we met along the trail. One of the best things about Boulder is how dog-friendly it is. Chautauqua is a popular hiking destination so there are always a lot of people on the trails, which means that there are a lot of dogs! It’s a great place to get your puppy fix.
The best part about Chautauqua though, is that it’s only a few minutes from downtown Boulder so once you’re done with your hike, you can head into town for some lunch and ice cream! One of my favorite spots to eat in Boulder is Pizzeria da Lupo. It is definitely the best pizza in Boulder. I usually get a margherita pizza and the brussel sprout salad, which is divine, and I don’t even like brussel sprouts!
Full disclosure: My cousin owns the Pizzeria da Lupo. However, even if I wasn’t related to him, I would still be obsessed with the food. Everything on the menu is deeeelish! Also, that last picture of the salad is from their Facebook page– go check them out!
Day 7: The thing(s) you’re most afraid of
I was going to skim the surface of this one and list things that I am genuinely afraid of like spiders and the dark, and then I read this.
Heather is a blogger and author who I greatly admire and who has written about her experience with depression over the years. She pointed out that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and since I recently shared with you a bit about my experience with depression, I think it’s only fitting that I continue the string of honesty by delving a bit deeper into today’s BEDIM prompt.
The thing I’m most afraid of is that I will spend my entire life fighting this. My depression comes in waves, usually spurred on by major life changes, and every few years, I hit a low point. I’m terrified by the possibility that every two to three years for the rest of my life, I’m going to turn into this lesser version of me. Because when I am depressed, I become a different person. I lose interest in the things that bring me joy and the people who I love. It’s as if my personality all but disappears. And it sucks. I fear a life ruled by this disease.
While having to deal with my depression for the rest of my life is my greatest fear; the thing that keeps me going is the idea that I can win. That by finding the right cocktail of medication, therapy, and self-care, I can control the thing that I am so afraid will control me.
What is the thing you’re most afraid of?
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, please know that there is no shame in seeking help. There are so many people out there who want to help you get better. Therapy and medication are not signs of weakness; they are signs of strength. Don’t be afraid to do what is hard: ask for help.
Day 6: If you couldn’t answer with your job, how would you answer the question ‘what do you do?’
This question is hard enough when trying to answer with my job. I guess with my job taken out of the equation, it should be easier… So, what do I do?
I make cookie dough and then freeze it because frozen cookie dough is way better than a fresh-baked cookie. I avoid checking my email because I know that my inbox is bursting at the seams. And maybe if I ignore it for long enough, it’ll clean itself out.
I go to the library to get one book, walk out with five, and end up reading two of them (only halfway through each) by the time they’re all due back. I enjoy chocolate milk more than any five-year-old you’ve ever met. I make up elaborate stories in my head about the lives of strangers (but don’t we all?).
I make lists like you wouldn’t believe. I get sucked into BuzzFeed spirals involving puppies, pop culture, and Ryan Gosling. I send absurd Snap Cats to my friends. I go “hiking,” which, let’s be honest, is just walking in nature. I think about pancakes more than is really necessary and I am constantly dreaming about all the places I want to travel.
