Promotion, Plateau, and the Breakdown I Needed
Today was supposed to be a win. I got promoted at work—one of those things you’re supposed to celebrate. Instead, I left early, drove out to Santa Rosa Plateau, and walked six miles with my phone on silent.
I’ve lost a lot this month: my marriage, my car, half my time with my daughter. The trail was empty. I thought I’d feel lighter, or at least distracted. But halfway through, surrounded by nothing but dry grass and the sound of my own shoes, I just stopped and cried. Not a cinematic, single-tear moment—just ugly, snotty, alone.
I wish I could say the hike fixed me. It didn’t. But for a few minutes, I let myself be wrecked, and that felt honest. Sometimes, that’s all you get.
#Travel #SoloHikingTruth #LifeAfterLoss
