“Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”
-Walt Whitman
We’ve seen those commercials, the woman running up to the top of a mountain, the sun stinging her eyes, sweat giving her a dewey angelic appearance. She stops at the top and unzips her hoodie and marvels at her accomplishment… “Nike… for women…”
Hi dudarinos,
I’m going to look you in the eyes right now. (See above).
Everyone can deny the restrictions and shame foisted upon them by the mass media, society, diet culture, social media, the fashion industry, literature, friends, family, teachers, doctors, coworkers, history, religions, pop culture, “art,” and everything else on the planet.
Deep breath… I know that was a mouthful.
One of the most important things to me is letting people know that camping is great, going outside is great, and everyone can do it. Everyone deserves the fresh open air.
(Yes I know there are people with allergies or certain medical conditions that need them to restrict sunlight, pollen, etc. Agoraphobia exists. Give me a break, I’m not an expert on the entire world. It’s a certain cadence or turn of phrase that is not literal. Back off, I’m trying to be nice).
Not only can everyone enjoy the outdoors, everyone SHOULD enjoy the outdoors. Because we deserve nice things. That being said, there are certain difficulties that arise for someone like me that don’t arise for others. Here we go!
Dressing the Part
I am not an Olympic athlete. For those of you who thought I was, please stop reading now. Sorry (not sorry).
Sometimes the hardest part of my day is simply getting dressed. With an anxiety disorder, when the weather changes, and it’s too cold and I don’t have any clothes that fit and are warm enough in this new season… I freak out. Or I’m too hot in everything I put on and feel like I can’t even breath in my own skin. Sweaty, sticky, and panicking.
When you’re like me (and the other 68% of women in the US), you cant just go to the store and buy something off the rack. You can’t just nip out drop $150 on new yoga pants with pockets because your friend Karen got you a gift certificate to Soul Cycle that expires next week. (Ranting…). When you live in bodies like ours, the things we want to do are often stunted by the options we have for clothing these bodies. “Do they have a life-vest that fits me? Do they carry my size of bridesmaid dress? Will my work be able to provide a uniform for me?”
In the outdoorsy industries like many others, “dressing the part” is a way of validating your participation.
Camping clothes, with all the specialized outdoor “gear” in the market, can be damn near terrifying. Have you ever been to REI or another sporting goods store to try and buy a “plus-size” rain jacket? It’s impossible. It’s a joke. Inclusivity in these brands is a myth. If we want rain jackets, we better settle for a cheap rain repelling one from Target or Amazon.
“Try looking for moisture-wicking, breathable fabric. Camping clothes should be versatile and designed to resist stains and tears”… – Said some idiot that thinks everything has to be categorized and classified for purpose and use, but it is really just to sell you more shit you don’t need and make you feel like a failure if you don’t have it.
Alright, on to the positive!
You can wear whatever the fuck you want.
There are no rules.
If it is about the brand of leggings you’re wearing, you’re doing it wrong.
Just Do It
These ideas are important. If we as humans continue to let the strangers define what we can and can not do with our own bodies, we are willing participants in our own isolation.
Check out this summer 2019 article from Refinery 29. Even when one of the big cheeses of athletic wear started to embrace fat bodies, there was enough backlash to make anyone go back to bed and cover their head until it all goes away.
At the beginning of every hike I am filled with self doubt. I question my ability to make it because I don’t look like someone who would. And I am surprised every time! Not only do a complete the hike, I love every moment of it! Last time we did the Berry Creek Falls loop in Big Basin, I hadn’t hiked in months. I labeled myself a failure before we left the parking lot. After 11 miles I was an accomplished hiker. I was happy. I was proud. The next morning, the doubt returned. And that is just the way is is.
Over the years I have learned that my brain has been conditioned to lie to me, constantly. I can’t trust it. And if you have self doubt, you can’t trust your brain either. Sorry, friend, but thems the breaks.
So shut up and go outside. It’s nice. You deserve it.
-XOXO Gossip Squirrel