Why uncertainty is the only certainty we have and how you should embrace it.
Spending time outdoors started at twelve when I joined one of the scouts’ groups around the Lisbon coastline. I remember my first trip was to Madeira Island, and I was willing to make that journey, envisioning new things to experience with lots of colourful landscapes. The fire camps were one of my favourite times where we all gathered to sing and play.
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I learned how to overcome setbacks and different skills with older experienced fellows and cooperate with a sense of ownership. Some moments were more challenging when dealing with the cold evenings when we were camping at the peak. Same with food due to unexpected logistics from the management level. We, the youngest ones, learned harder as we hadn’t counted on the unforeseen events.
I am constantly sharing that spending time in nature is humbling and inspiring. From setting out and conquering physical challenges to gathering with a group of friends around the warmth of a campfire, endless opportunities exist to experience our limits and extrapolate them. Besides, it is to live in temporary deep solitude in the wild.
Urbanites like me are developing interest and independence from dependence on modern-day, to seek out opportunities of rootedness. We intend to temporarily remove ourselves from the inner-city, disconnect from the contemporary world, and turn off emails, smartphones, and other devices in exchange for a wooden cabin or a tent once in a while, with only the forest or a remote location for companionship.
When heading outdoors, every explorer needs to address several elements of survival, from the basics of food, shelter, and water to the more comfortable aspects like staying warm and dry. The more time you experience nature, the more experienced you become.
It also encourages you to deal with uncertain events without expectations and prepare for the worst. The unforeseen can help us deal with life events whenever we return home to our urban environment.
When we are in nature, clean water, for example, is essential for human existence, and you have to carry a survival pack with you with a flexible plan in mind. In many cases, obtaining a clean water source in the mountains with tundra is a challenge. Trust me. I have been in that scenario, and fortunately, I encountered two people in an extreme environment who kindly provided water to our group. We couldn’t have met them in the right place and at the right time. We learned through failure.
Thankfully, we have products that help us survive with some of the standard amenities of the twenty-first century, which our ancestors hadn’t. More and more, how you can purify water on the go is becoming increasingly simple and effective.
Immersing ourselves out of our daily urban realities makes us open, adaptable and stronger in how we deal with uncertainty in an unfamiliar environment.
The importance of preparation
The overcoming of every step of the journey depends on our physical, mental and spiritual preparation, combined with the equipment we bring, which are essential to reaching the end of the route if dealing with extreme conditions.
Also, we should not repeat the same failures. Learning through them can also enrich the way we deal with unexpected scenarios.
“It’s not only with good equipment we face the journey. How we prepare to deal with adversities and anticipate real future scenarios makes a difference. For those who neglected to take the necessary measures, failure is absolute certainty in time — it is called misfortune. Victory awaits who has all in order — it is called success.”
These words come from Amundsen. I think he was stating how the day will turn out is decided before we leave the tent or the cabin and before anyone starts exploring.
Being lucky while doing outdoors is not about being more intelligent than other people or having extraordinary physical prowess. Luck is about how we train to behave in extreme conditions.
It is what we think and feel. Ideally, great explorers are prepared for every eventuality. Unforeseen circumstances will arise. But the experience we carry and how we decide is a major task to set before each journey.
Recognizing uncertainty is the only certainty
Natural experiences such as trekking in unknown environments inspire me to return home, increasing my mental strength and decision-making to deal with setbacks. It teaches me that while you can’t control uncertainty, you can control how you react to it and prepare for it.
The flexibility to move in different directions and learn to use basic skills and tools combined in various ways helps you achieve your goal.
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity” -Amelia Earhart
The world is a complex place and to understand complexity is to understand the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system.
If we reflect on real historical heroes who set out to create radical change, they had the fog of uncertainty. However, they still took decisions every moment, knowing their small choices consistently could be the catalyst for massive change.
I share a set of points below after reflecting on behaviours during my trekkings, as well as on specific patterns certain individuals took in history:
1. Identity
The longer you hold on to a perception or image of yourself, the greater your anxiety and stress will be.
2. Control
Beware of wasting energy and resources trying to control things beyond your control; focus on managing your thoughts, emotions, and responses.
3. Action
Beware of the fear of making the wrong decision: make a decision, and adjust your strategy; remain open to new information and learning.
4. Risk-Taking
Try new approaches. Dare to take bold steps with responsibility.
5. Self-Achievement
Remember, each time you achieve or do something you once thought impossible, your confidence, hope in your capabilities increase.
6. Encouragement & Care
Let the people you care about know that you are there for them. Knowing that someone cares for you allows you to overcome seemingly impossible odds and helps you get through difficulties and challenges.
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” -Maya Angelou
