Spring Updates!

Hey friends! I was up nice and early and had a few hours to sit, think and write - what a gift! I've updated the "About" and "What Else" sections of the site and combined them into a new blog post, so feel free to give them a read if you're at all interested. I'll be spending the next hour or so uploading lots and lots of backlogged spring photos - stay tuned! <33

ABOUT

Hi! I'm Jess, founder of Hike & Heal CT. Thanks so much for being here.

Hike & Heal CT began sometime in between the winter & spring of 2018. At the time, I was beginning to recognize the harmful effects of anxiety on those around me. It took a little longer to identify anxiety as something I also dealt with myself. Anxiety morphed from something "I didn't experience or understand" to something that I slowly realized had taken a driver's seat in my life as I quietly, sometimes fearfully, watched from the back. How does one properly identify something that had always been there?

I started chatting a bit with co-workers; at the time I was involved in early childhood education and deeply immersed in emotional literacy, and we began to share stories and "open up a bit", which in an of itself was always a terrifying concept for me - but, slowly and steadily I was able to find some footing and...share. 

Witnessing the strength of others who were willing to be so transparent about the pain that they were carrying, and still healing from; old experiences, new experiences, unforeseen terrors to come - helped me to realize that I wasn't so alone in my own feelings and experiences  - and that in many cases, there was much to learn from the experiences of others.

Connecting on these experiences and leaning into trust - was just about the only thing that ever seemed to "heal" any part of me that anxiety had gripped and held so tightly for so long. 

It seems that, when you live with anxiety, and/or consistent feelings of guilt & shame, that living without them is far more terrifying than staying the course. That is what fear would have us believe. In typical "me" fashion, as soon as I connected the dots - I knew that there was something I had to DO about it. I DID - but I did it backwards…

I started a hiking group under the name Hike & Heal CT and we had our first group hike in March of 2018 at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT - it was AMAZING! We had a great run through the season and then life got right in the way. From health scares to personal hardships - life kept piling it on and I eventually pivoted away from the group and into everything else. More than anything - I want to build this community back up because I believe in it so very much. 

First, however, it became quite apparent that my own healing journey had to take priority. One cannot help others whom does not first help themselves. I knew that I had to ask Anxiety to pull the car over and GTFO - politely. It was time for love and trust to take the driver's wheel. I just didn't know how terrifying a journey this would really be. Nobody prepares one for the roller coaster of energy & emotion that "inner work" really is. 

This brings us to the present. For right now, Hike & Heal CT is a space for me to share my piece of the journey, and to hopefully connect and re-connect with all who are traveling this space at this time, in their own way. 

I want to talk about it. I want us to talk about it together - but before we can really do that, we have to turn inward and listen. I am still on this part of my journey. For me, being outside, in nature - this is where healing takes place. This is where I can truly hear and experience myself, and begin to grow through love. 

This is how we begin to heal - individually & together. 

WHAT ELSE?

This page is currently very image-focused, and with purpose!

I have received lots and lots of positive feedback regarding the images that I share of my hikes & time spent outdoors. It took a while, but after quite a few requests, I thought that this would be the best way to share images AND make them available to purchase. However, I can't JUST sell stuff. 

50% of all print sales will go directly to Sleeping Giant State Park. A local haven that has been a lifelong refuge for me, and I assume, for many other nature enthusiasts as well. 

I am still working on this aspect of the site. In the meantime, if you see anything you like, send me a message and I'll work on getting a print out to you!