The older I get the more I realize how fluid life is, constantly changing and flowing in different directions. If you’re not prepared to bend and mold with the moving currents, reality tends to slap you in the face.
As I stated a few posts ago, blogging has taken a bit of a back seat to other things in my life. Once upon a time I blogged every other day, but now I’m lucky to get 1-2 posts a week in. C’est la vie.
Between work, school, and spending all my free time in the mountains I have changed my priorities around. Blogging has taken its place in hot seat number four. I stressed about this for all of 2 minutes before I reminded myself why I blog. I blog because I enjoy it, not because I have to. Blogging is a hobby, to be done when I decide.
My latest mountain extravaganza was one that I have wanted to check off my list for a few years now. I attempted to find this trail head in May 2012 (thank you blog archives) but was unsuccessful.
I couldn’t be happier I tried again because this takes the cake for my favorite hike thus far. The Olympic Mountains have some of the most gorgeous valleys, and talk about breath taking views of the Cascades.
Food tastes better up here.
I literally sat in the same spot staring at these mountains for 20 minutes. I was waiting for Julie Andrews to run out from behind one of these hills singing about how they are alive, but she didn’t show.
If I could build a tiny cabin anywhere in the world this is where it would be. I am either extremely under traveled, or I just adore the area I live in. I’ll say a little bit of both.
I know I talk about it a lot, but hiking has really captured my soul lately. So much that I rarely think about running, and instead my thoughts are filled with high trees and snow capped mountains.
It’s bizarre at times to think about how much my life has changed when it comes to running. I still love it (most of the time), but it’s not like it was when I first started. I feel like I’ve found something in hiking that I can completely call my own. Running has always had a slight connection to a part of my life that changed a long time ago.
This is what I look like at 6280 ft, above the clouds, and with the sun in my face. OH and with a mountain sprouting from my head, look closely! Mt. Baker hat.
I went to the bathroom near a bush with this as my view. I could get used to that.
I’ve learned to change accordingly with my life as it continues to move forward. I have my moments of reminiscence, but I embrace each day for its own fresh start. Life is good, and I’m in a place of zen.
Really what it all boils down to is perspective. Change your mind, change your life. The mountains look better when you’re at the top.
Q: How do you handle the unavoidable changes life throws your way?
Blissfulbritt 
44 thoughts on “A Place of Zen”
pickyrunner
Love this. You are so in your element with the hiking- that passion really shines through in your posts. I’m with you on blogging taking a backseat. I’m still getting posts up 4-5 days a week but I feel like they take more effort and time than they used to that I just don’t have. You have a lot of big things happening in your life and it makes sense! I don’t think I’ll be posting more than a few times a week pretty soon as I begin undergoing a lot of changes as well. Keep hiking because I can live vicariously through you 😉
Lauren
I love how you keep your hiking buddy kind of a secret. I find it mysterious! Keep enjoying life, girl, the blog isn’t going anywhere!
Brittany
I suppose the fact that my hiking partner is a guy makes it seem mysterious, but in all reality there isn’t anything to say! HA.
Nita Wilson
Best blog of all
Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind–Bruce Lee
Brittany
Thanks, mom. ❤
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Beautiful photos again!
I totally agree that you have to remind yourself for all the reasons why you are blogging. A while back I was blogging things I thought people wanted to read and I wasn’t enjoying it any more. Then I went back to what I did in the beginning, just writing what I wanted to and I am much happier for it.
P
LOL about Julie Andrews! You are lucky to live near such a beautiful area of nature!
sincerelylily
Loooove this post. You are so right- it is all about perspective and changing your mind/attitude, to get where you want to in life. I love that you are STILL able to blog with consistency (unlike some coughMEcough) and recognize that you don’t have to do it but you do it b/c it makes you happy. Um….. I THINK YOU NEED TO LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS. or like be an instructor to those who dont know how to hike. I love that you are following your passion and just doing it. Such awesome pics Brittany, you rock.
Brittany
I would LOVE to be some kind of mountain climbing instructor/hiking guide! HA! WHYYY are my life desires always changing right when I embark on a new educational path!!! It’s OK..I can tie nutrition into hiking!
apartmentwife
so, i honestly think i would have started singing the hills are alive when i reached the top, and, with any luck, you’re with me on the trip and you chime in and it’s a whole concert on the top of the mountain. how fun would that be? gorgeous photos, as always, and i’m happy that despite your 1-2 posts a week, i’m heading to read another post of yours RIGHT NOW.
Jason
Amazing pictures – that looks so perfect!! There is no better feeling that being above the clouds!
Polly - TastyFoodProject.com
Lovely photos once again! What I love about hiking is that it is so calm and relaxing and it’s also nice to get away from the city once in a while.
Amy
Brittany, I am SO proud of you for all of this! Rethinking your priorities, following your hiking heart, going back to school… You’re truly an inspiration. It’s hard to find a peaceful zen place in our fast-paced technology-driven world, so it’s really refreshing to hear that you’ve achieved that. 🙂
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
I love seeing the shift in your interest and your attitude overall. Sounds like you are super happy 🙂 All of your pics make ME happy! So beautiful! I felt bad about not blogging as frequently as I used to, but like you said, I got over that in a hot minute. Priorities.
Traci
Yes…change is inevitable. This year and next year are going to be huge years of change for me, and I’m deciding to embrace it. Mountains always help, of course! Hiking is actually my favorite thing in the world. I love seeing mountain photos. So keep ’em coming!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
You are such a beautiful soul. And your opening quote about being ready for the fluidity in life is something I really need to keep reminding my self about. Thanks for that 🙂 have a great weekend!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Love this! Glad you are enjoying life 🙂
Ellie
Honestly, I pray a lot and let it be. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I know I will take the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride
Brittany
YES, love this. BOOM.
Ashley
Ummm, I don’t blame you for not blogging as much and spending more time in the mountains! I always feel so at peace when I’m in nature and I wish I could spend all my time outside, especially when the weather’s nice. And I love reading all about your hiking adventures!
ahellams
You are so awesome!! I am so proud of how much you have embraced yourself and what you really love and want out of life rather than what you feel like you should want.
Keep climbing those mountains because I love seeing those pictures!
Choc Chip Uru
To go up in the mountains and reflect on life, it seems absolutely perfect! I feel the zen just through the photos 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I can tell how happy hiking makes you; it’s in ever word, every picture. I’m glad you’re following the flow and not trying to force running right now. It’ll come back and it’ll happen it a natural course. People need to mix things up from time to time and you’re doing just that.
Oh and when we go hiking, I will totally sing to you: the Hills are alive with the sound of music… Aaaaahhhahahahahha..
Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani)
Great attitude, Britt! It’s all about priorities, and it’s fine if blogging isn’t one of them! Like you I blog for the enjoyment factor- I’m not in it to make money and therefore I’m going to keep treating it like all my other hobbies- i.e. doing it when I have time and not stressing when life & more important matters come in the way!
An Unrefined Vegan
No Julie means you gotta be the one to sing. xoxo
Kayse
Agreed 🙂
B
I admit, I’m not good with change, or really like it, but I think I’ve gotten better with dealing with it.
Kayse
These pictures are gorgeous! Every post you write about hiking reminds me that I haven’t gone in far too long and keeps encouraging me to get off work early enough one afternoon to drive to the nearest state park… You’re blessed to live somewhere with such stunning places to hike!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
You have an amazing outlook and attitude buddy. although I too am disappointed Julie Andrews didn’t start shrieking down the mountains.
lifeaslisaknowsit
Beautiful photos! 🙂
alexvegginout
I love your outlook on life. It’s taken me a lot of time, and I’m still working on it, but I’m also getting better at just rolling with the punches. I only blog maybe once a week these days and sometimes posts take me days to write. But like you, I do it for fun, and I don’t want that fun to be taken away because I feel obligated to post something.
These photos are absolutely gorgeous! I was just talking with a friend yesterday about how much I want to go hiking, and now I really want to go!
P.S. I’ve decided to run another half marathon in September! 😀
Brittany
You are wise beyond your years, and I can only imagine where you’ll be mentally when you’re my age. 🙂
I am so excited about your next half marathon!! Your running journey is inspiring!
katalysthealth
Sheesh Julia Andrews, way to disappoint and not show up. 😉 This is really a beautiful post, and Im really loving how nature and being in the great outdoors is giving you perspective on things. Who would’ve thought, right?
Missy
Stay right where you are, girl! After all.. wherever you go — there you are! No need to worry about what has changed or what is different, you’re just doing now and I love it!
di @ life of di.
With views like that – I’m not surprised that blogging has fallen into fourth place 😉
Amy @ A Desert Girl
This post is great. Really speaks to me!! And those photos. Gorgeous as always.
allieksmith
Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures. I love the Mt. Baker hat picture, haha. I love this post, too. It seems like so much has changed for you, and that you’re okay and happy with that! Rock on 🙂
Rach @ This Italian Family
I know I say it every time, but I LOVE your hiking photos! I’m so glad you bring us along on these hikes through and up the mountains. So beautiful!
The Vegan 8
I love your attitude Brittany, it is so inspiring and makes me smile. These photos are out of this world breathtaking, no wonder it has taken priority over running…how could it not? I also think 1-2 posts a week is PERFECT! Serioulsy. I believe in 2-3 max a week, otherwise I feel that it is overloading people’s inboxes hahaha. I know certain ones I get email after email and honestly I don’t have time to read each one, but when I get 2 a week, that is just perfect for me to catch up on.
Anyways, happy you are loving the hiking so much. Nature has a way of giving us peace.
Mellie Dee
glad you went back to conquer! the view is just breathtaking!!
Nicole Marie Story
This makes me want to go for a hike. Beautiful.
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