I wouldn't call myself particularly outdoorsy - I've never been camping, the longest hike I've done was maximum two hours (and without any inclines), and when my mom would urge my child self to go outside "where nature can kill us!" I was less than enthused. Despite all of this, somehow, a book about a women hiking the PCT related to me on a level that transcends being outside. Perhaps it's because her familial struggles reflect, or maybe Cheryl Strayed's desire to be a "hard-ass amazonian woman" really sits with me, especially this past year in my journey to become independent from my parents. Honestly, I think a big part of the reason I loved this book so much is because it was a welcome distraction from Dante. Whatever the reason was, I found myself growing excited to turn the pages, rushing to finish my other tasks so that I could sit down with Wild and get lost in the adventures of the Pacific Crest Trail.
While this may not be the best written book (I must say, Strayed does go on and on and on about her portable saw which does not seem to have much plot function but hey, it is her retelling, right?), it was exactly what I needed when I read it: a strong female triumphing over her challenges, both mentally and physically. Nearing the end of my fourth semester at UF, I too had some mental and physical obstacles of my own (read: Meltdown Mondays), and it helped me to get away from that and focus on someone(thing) else for a while.
Since reading Wild, I have felt newly inspired to spend time outdoors, and I have gone on several hikes and have planned a camping trip for later this summer.
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