Dare to Say Yes to Something New

“…although we did not have the means, we were definitely sent out in the world, daring to dream”

1. HOW DID YOU FIRST START TO EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS?

Being from Norway, where I’m proud to say, the outdoor culture still has a strong spirit, unlike most places where video games and tablets have taken over the youth, I was pretty much born into experiencing the outdoors.

My parents, both in their own special way, taught me about the beauty of the wonderful outdoors. Dad, with the skiing since I could pretty much walk, hiking, camping and everything rugged and my mother, who taught me the more subtle yet magnificent things, like appreciating the beauty around you, be it the majestic mountains, the vast silver lakes, or simply, the exquisiteness of a flower.

Also, where my father took it upon himself to make me experience everything our country had to offer, my mother, on the other hand, had a more global urge, for me to experience as much as I can around the world and travel. And although we did not have the means, we were definitely sent out in the world, daring to dream.

And today, I am in South Africa, exploring all the amazing things in this beautiful country and continent. So, I was fortunate to start young, and get the best possible first few steps into the great outdoors.

2. IS THERE ANY SINGLE MOMENT DURING YOUR EXPERIENCES THAT HAS IMPACTED YOU THE MOST?

I wouldn’t say it was a moment, but rather, a few memories that made me choose the way I would want to live. When I was young, we moved to England, and truth be told, we definitely did not have a lot of money for conventional recreation like fancy holidays and trips.

“There are some places out there the rich and famous may never see. And those places, those caves, those waterfalls, those cliffs…are always free. Free for anyone who has the spirit to explore.” 

However, what my parents could not make up for in money, they gave us all in time. I find it hard to remember a single day when we weren’t out in the park, on a hill, climbing trees and experiencing the best things in the world that money can’t buy. And looking back, I believe that single memory changed the way I looked at life.

I may be a millionaire someday, I may not, but I do know that there are some things out there that all the money in the world cannot buy. There are some places out there the rich and famous may never see. And those places, those caves, those waterfalls, those cliffs…are always free. Free for anyone who has the spirit to explore.

3. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE HESITANT TO TAKE THAT STEP OUTDOORS?

Give it a shot. You may love it. You may hate it. But at least you will know. There are so many places yet to be seen, explored and discovered, and there is a certain magic about experiencing something that very few, if not anyone, has ever seen before. It´s scary sometimes, to take that first step.

Take the chance, dare to say yes to something new rather than staying in the comfort zone. But the lessons you learned about yourself, about nature, cultures, about the world are greater than anything you could ever imagine. I always think I would rather regret something I tried, rather than regretting never to have tried.

Life is full of adventures and new doors, you just have to look for them, and dare to take that chance.