Jul
When are you most YOU?
Camping with my niece
When are you most YOU? In other words, when do you feel most like yourself? I know it’s an odd question, but this weekend I feel like I got the answer to the question for the first time in my life. My answer…when I’m camping.
Over the weekend I was on my annual family “Camp Semedo” camping trip that I started in 2003 with 1 cousin, 5 kids, 2 tents, a camping stove, and the great outdoors. Seven years later, it’s now a huge family event that has made me the proud owner of 15 tents, 18 sleeping bags, 7 lanterns and 16 air mattresses. Oh, and there are now over 80 people who attend the 4-days and 3-nights of family fun!
On the third day of camping, I pulled my boyfriend aside and we went and sat in the field for a quiet moment and talked. It was there, with no makeup on, in need of a shower, wearing the clothes I would never put on to go out in public in, that I realized I felt more like “me” than I ever have. It wasn’t something I had thought about before, but in that moment, I just blurted it out, and something in me made sense. I always knew I loved camping, but I never connected it with the way that it made me feel about myself.
Being outdoors, sleeping in a tent, having no concerns about what anyone thinks about my physical appearance, and feeling no judgement about who I am or what I’m doing. For me, camping is a freeing experience. Sure there are bugs, and you’re not going to eat a gourmet meal every night, but when you strip away all the things that you put on daily (both physically and mentally), you have the unique opportunity to get to the core of who you are.
I’m sure that some of you have made this revelation about yourselves a long time ago, and it may not be camping that did it for you, but for me it was a great moment.
So, can you answer the question…When are you most YOU? Have you had that moment in your life when you feel like “wow, this is who I am!” Was it one thing, or one place, or one experience that got you there? Are you even there yet? I would love to hear about it. Make sure you leave me a comment!
As always…Just my humble opinion,
Pebbles
Oh man gotta love the Pebbles prespective… When I feel like Im really me is after I have broken down and my fiancee has just talked me off the ledge. The stress of life can be sooo demanding especially when you go through some of the things I have been through. He helps me to see where I’ve come from and where we are going. Its then that I realize that I am a 26 year old woman working in a corporate world and making strides in it. Im then reminded that up until 4 years ago (when we met) I raised my daughter on my own and she has grown into one of the most beautiful and smart girls I know ( and I dont just say that cause she is mine). I realize that I have grown soooo much that I can except her father’s family for what they are and not reject them for what they are not and not let his action and inaction reflect on what some of them try to do for her. And for some reason its always after my lowest point when I feel I connect with the real me.. The strong loving caring intellegent me.. who has and WILL make it through..
P.S. You make me feel like Im not crazy for feeling the way I do about females and how they act (slutty) and reinstate that its okay that my honey is the only one who knows how truely deviant i can be. Sometimes I feel like im the crazy one but then I read something you wrote and realize. Maybe I’m different and that is okay! So I thank you!!
I think I’m myself when I’m home cleaning…I put my favorite songs on and clean from top to bottom that’s when I feel the most connected to my feelings and my thoughts!
Pebbles, I’m not the camping type, but you have me considering it. I need a moment like that!
Thanks Nat! Different is definitely good! You should be proud of all you’ve accomplished!
Suiany, I have always been jealous of people who love to clean. I hear it’s really cleansing for some people…I am not one of them! LOL
Amanda, camping may not be what gives you your moment, but you should definitely try it!
Thanks so much for reading everyone! Be sure to come back! I have lots of opinions!
Hi pepples! I so agree with you! This might sound funny, but true: When I go camping, I feel free and just wanna run and pee freely and fart without people saying “illll”. Such feelings makes me feel liberated, fuzzy and cuddly. The only thing I don’t like about camping is the bugs; when Im using the bathroom, flies are swarming my ass before I finish, No Bueno…and the mosquitos eat me alive!! Its best to camp with family because there’s always somebody there who wears your size and doesn’t mind running to the store when you need it thats what families are missing these days.
Pebbles, great post. It’s funny, I have never thought about this, because I really try and be ME all the time, but there certainly are times when you feel the “freeest” and that time is anytime I am with my wife. Being with her makes me feel like I can be a goofball…I can say whatever and she won’t make fun of me and I can share with her the nine million ideas that I have and that I never follow through on and she won’t judge me or push me to do them, she’ll just listen and let me be my crazy self.
There is a great line in one of Jay-z’s new songs of the Blueprint 3 that I try and live by always and anytime I am feeling like I am not being “ME” I think about this line.
“IF y’all can’t already see I ain’t worried ’bout y’all ’cause I’m already me. Do you already, enough with the complainin’ boo-hoos already.”
Such a killer song and I LOVE the message.
Another great post – keep ‘em comin’ Pebs!!!
Not an odd question at all. Pretty good one actually.
I’d have to go with being around family, but not just any family members. The ones you know that will love you no matter what you do or say. The ones that have your back 24/7
Pebbles, I agree with you 100%. I have been camping all my life!! Now as an adult, I camp as much as I can and would all yr long if that was possible, lol. YUP, no makeup, hair in a pony tail (for the most part) eat what every you feel like cooking on the fireplace, in tin pans I my add, ya or on stove to. With family, friends and boyfriend in the middle of the woods. Walks in the campground with your boyfriend, really what more could you ask for. That’s when I’m me!!! Plus fishing at the Canal!!