04/10/2025
Yesterday I shared about my walk up to the Pinnacles in the Coromandel. But as I lay in bed later, I realised there was more to that story.
At the start of this year, there’s no way I could have done that climb. I had burnt out emotionally and physically, and was just trying to find my way back. When life is stable it feels easier to make good choices, but when it’s not… even small things can feel impossible. I know this, because I’ve been in both places.
For me, it started with one small change. Once a week I see a personal trainer — not because I love it (I don’t 😅), but because it keeps me accountable. I’ve also leaned on yoga over the years, though I fell out of practice when my local class stopped. My body missed it, but honestly, I just didn’t have it in me. Then I found out I was anaemic and needed an iron infusion. It took weeks, but slowly I began to feel stronger again.
Life hasn’t been smooth — I slipped on stairs, ended up with tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, a grumpy knee, and back spasms. My osteo even told me to think carefully about whether I was ready for this trip. So I strapped up what I needed to, dusted off my yoga mat, and even bought $14 walking poles from Kmart (not everything has to be fancy!).
As I walked yesterday, I thought of younger me wandering the bush on our family farm in the Waikato — my little escape. That same feeling came back, step after step.
I share this because sometimes we see the photo at the top, but not the messy, wobbly journey it took to get there. For me, it wasn’t just a hike — it was a marker of how far I’ve come this year.
And before we left, the DOC hut warden told us about a man in a wheelchair who was carried to the hut by a group of friends. That story stayed with me — a reminder that anything is possible.
With love,
L x
