August 1, 2020
Dear Diary,
I’ve come up with this awesome idea. Well, it seems awesome to me. Maybe I should share the light and dark side to what it feels like being a fat adventure babe. I know I’ve shared some of this story in the past, but people really seemed to relate. Anyways, just an idea. I’ll sleep on it and go from there.
Love, Sarah
August 3, 2020
INNER MONOLOGUE:
I’m sitting here thinking of ways to start this diary series. The obvious idea would be to say Dear Diary and start that way. Second thoughts sound a little something like, “Are you there God? It’s me, Margret?” My third idea looks a little something like “Not all Who Wander are Lost.” Do you get my mind yet?
Do I write this in first person? Do people want to hear my perspective? Is anyone even going to read this?
In other words, why am I self doubting myself?
Am I making a mistake by thinking the outdoor industry world needs more representation?
Are there people out there, from all walks of life, who want to fight for inclusion in this space?
Love, Sarah
August 4, 2020
Dear Diary,
I am here to let you know that I’m finally ready to share my story. Only I can tell this one, and I’m ready to be heard. Therefore, the self doubt ends here!
Starting this week, and every other week after that, I am going to share Welcomed by Wilderness™: Diary of a Fat Adventure Babe. A journal style blog series where I take you on the daily ups, downs, thoughts, and emotions of what it really feels like to be a plus size babe in the adventure world.
This isn’t just for plus size adventure babes. This is for anyone who has ever felt underrepresented in the outdoor world and industry. These stories and voices need to be heard. In addition, I might as well start with mine and use this platform to encourage change.
Hopefully people listen to the important statements I have to make, learn a thing or two about including anyone and everyone, and find something relatable from my own journey.
Furthermore, as I sit here, the clock strikes on 5 a.m. – which means time to start my morning routine. Time to get up, practice self care, take a sunrise hike, and journal my daily experiences.
Oh Diary – I am really looking forward to sharing my deepest, darkest secrets with you. Above all, I am ready to make statements that deserve to be heard around the world. In conclusion, the fire has been lit, and it’s time to make a difference.
Love, Sarah
August 6, 2020
Dear Diary,
Today I posted a photo of Jeff and I picking apples last year. I know it’s too early to really manifest an amazing fall season, but think about it from my point of view.
I’ll actually be able to exercise without chaffing every single time I walk into the heat. It’s hard being a chubby girl in the summer, let me tell you!
Thinking of apple picking and pumpkin picking gives me hope for a season of ease and less daily struggles in the outdoor world.
Anyways, thanks for listening.
Love, Sarah
August 7, 2020
Dear Diary,
I think I’m going to write about spontaneity today. Yesterday’s manifestation of cooler weather has got me feeling motivated! I want to live more in the moment, be spontaneous, and stop letting my short comings hold me back. Honestly, I need to let it go. Every single day Jeff and Julianna ask me to take evening hikes, and I always come up with an excuse because I don’t want to hold them back; physically.
Why do I get like this from time to time?
I need to just let the fears, live in the moment, and enjoy the things I love. I mean, why would I say no to hiking – when it’s something I love to do?
Anyways, I’ll keep you posted on how this spontaneity chat goes? Hopefully it works it’s magic and gets my adventure babe butt outside.
Love, Sarah
August 8, 2020
Dear Diary,
What a day it’s been.
Today Julianna and I took a drive out to the Maryland/Pennsylvania line to visit this gorgeous, privately owned, “U-Pick” flower farm. I couldn’t think of a better backdrop for my upcoming content partnerships with @get_friska and @splendid.spoon.
The pictures turned out awesome, but that’s besides the point.
The point I want to make clear as I sit down to write in this journal, is that I woke up extremely depressed, didn’t want to leave my bed, but did anyways.
Today the healing powers of Mother Nature and fresh air, once again, worked their magic and helped me turn my entire day, weekend, and hopefully upcoming week around.
Do you see the smile in this picture? It’s because I gave myself a chance. The slight push to go on an adventure turned out to be a fabulous business “content creation” opportunity, and also ended up working magic for my soul at the same time.
I think, especially since this is MY diary and a place for me to be truthful and transparent, to reiterate that depression and mental health struggles are real – especially in my world.
Outdoor adventure sets my passions and soul on fire – in a good way. I got up, got out, took a chance on me, and actually ended up having one of the best sister days.
I know it’s not always going to be this easy to fight through the depression, but boy and I’m glad I did.
Love, Sarah
August 9, 2020
Dear Diary,
Today, Jeff and I tried to go camping. I mean we really tried. We headed to our destination, set up our tent and everything. I mean, we have this BRAND new two person tent from Outdoor Vitals – so I really wanted to spend one night in the woods.
Well, we tried.
Unfortunately, we decided to head home after about two hours because it was literally 100 degrees out. ONE HUNDRED DEGREES!!!!
I feel like I just shook a magic eight ball and its response said, “try again next week.”
Alright, Mother Nature, we’ll try again next week.
Love, Sarah
