Wild – Cheryl Strayed

This life is to be trusted and embarked on a journey

Why do others dare but not me? 

The search for something bigger and more meaningful is Cheryl’s driving force after she’s gotten a little off track in life. Yet she admits she doesn’t want to change any of the things she’s experienced, because that’s exactly what made her prepare carefully to embark on a three-month hike along the West Coast, the PCT; the Pacific Coast Trail. Her friend the “Monster”, her big backpack that she carries on her body and in her soul, while providing her with the comfort of daily companionship, is her only companion. She carries books that give her little refuge from the old life.

If you feel spoken to now, then maybe there’s a nagging feeling inside you that makes it heard every so often. Do you want to embark on a journey you’ve long dreamed of?

Cheryl Strayed is straightforward and honest in her storytelling throughout the book. Compassion for what she has gone through and actually suffered that I felt early on in the book. I want to know how she came to take on this journey and the adventure she feels she just has to be a part of.

To feel the heaviness of the steps when hiking in our great mountains in the Alps of Switzerland, I know what that’s like. The effort is gruelling, but those views you get as a reward for your soul are worth all the sweat you feel running down your neck and your hair is in streaks. Thinking about one’s appearance is for the vain and it’s not something I’m interested in. Rough and tough, bring it on. At some point, I’m going to go on a long hike with my teenage daughters and husband to bring only the essentials to get us through a few days in the great outdoors. Nature is indescribable to the soul. It strengthens us and you come home with a smile on your face, an inner warmth and contentment that you need to experience in life.

               “Wild can mean many things. Going crazy or living on the wild side of life. Live free in the wilderness. Let your spirit run free and be wild, let that part become a natural part of your life.”

Cheryl carries her thoughts with her and they are probably at least as heavy burden as her backpack, but with the help of another hiker she meets she is able to dump many unnecessary things. A relief for her body, as well as for her soul. Life becomes easier and she wants to be on her own. On a couple of occasions she meets people and enjoys the company, but the goal of the hike is to spend time with herself so she doesn’t have to be afraid of her thoughts. Cheryl achieves this.

How heavy are our thoughts? Are they easy to throw away when we leave our everyday life? 

Cheryl takes on the challenges as they come and sometimes she wants to give up, but the will to complete the walk is so much stronger. The inner burning desire to overcome her weaknesses are character traits throughout the book. I can relate to that, but in different ways. 

Physically challenging myself to test my limits is easier for me than learning a new tech related program for the computer or similar. Installing a set-top box for the TV, no, not my big interest. Give me a trip and I’ll plan and execute. That’s my driving force.

Conclusion: Life is patiently waiting for us to be lived. But for how long? I am sure that we deep inside would easily take that step we want to, but other expectations stop us.