Boy, how many times in our lives have we said this? I would have made many choices and/or decisions differently, if I had the hindsight I lacked.

When I first discovered Minimalism as a lifestyle, I dove in headfirst. I read every article, blog and book that I could get my hands on. I absorbed the concepts and knew that I could benefit immediately, if I applied what I had learned to my own life. I shook my head many times thinking , “if I had only knew about this 20 years ago”. Wow! What a different direction my life would have taken.

The great thing about embarking on a minimalist lifestyle is, it does not matter where you are in your life. Just starting out with your first job or planning your retirement. Anyone can live a more meaningful life with less. It is never too early or late to let go of those things that don’t t bring joy and happiness to your daily life.

From the first steps of our 2016 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, I found myself thinking how I could have been better prepared or maybe I would have chosen a different piece of gear, if I only knew about it beforehand. Now, with the opportunity to attempt another PCT 2,650 mile just days away, I am so thankful to be able to fall back on what we learned from our 2016 hike. With some familiar terrain ahead, we will use our experience to lighten our packs with lighter gear, change our hiking style and even how we resupply along the way will change. We don’t see our first attempt as a failure. In fact, we look at it as our opportunity to learn and grow as hikers and better ourselves as human beings.

A part of the trail lives within us. The grace and beauty of Mother Nature, overwhelms us. I want to absorb everything I can and enjoy every step. Pain, exhaustion and tears are all part of the trail experience. I guess in a way, it is no different from real life. Today we are making this not only about getting a second chance at hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but also at the opportunity to “reboot” our lives. We are taking new challenges. There is nothing holding us back from doing everything we want. We are blessed and can not wait to see what is around the next bend. We will not look back and say “if we had only done it differently” or “if we had only tried harder”. We are laying it all out on the table, giving it our all.

Listen to that little voice telling you to continue to push on. Take chances. Really LIVE your life without regret. Remember, you only fail when you stop trying.

Happy Trails,

Sean & Gina