Oct 2, 20202 min read

The Benefits of Running Away

As a boy, I often fantasized about running away to explore the mountains surrounding Phoenix, Arizona, where I grew up at. During recess at elementary school, for example, I’d sit atop the monkey bars to see mountain peaks poking over suburban rooftops. I simply wanted to get away from my school day routine and explore.

That same urgency resurfaced last week when I decided to run away (temporarily) from my current home in Seattle, WA, on a 4 hour drive to Electric City in eastern Washington, where I rested inside a cabin with no running water.

It’s Not Running

Running away is more like rest. Rest from the everyday routine, which was the purpose of my solo cabin trip. But again, with no running water, my normal routine was disrupted. Access to a shower, toilet, sink, etc., required extra effort. Many times I was irritated by my lack of access to convenience. And that was the point of my trip. To confirm my day-to-day routine in Seattle is comfortable and lacks perspective.

I was struck by Smart Travel’s 11 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone At Least Once: traveling alone builds confidence.

“It can be lonely and unsettling not to have anyone else around for backup. But being able to get yourself out of a jam or figure out where you are when you’re lost can give you a new sense of confidence and faith in your own resourcefulness.”

It’s Required

I walked. I read. I listened to music. And I worked. On me.

Much of this trip was to map out my professional and personal goals for the next 12 months. While there are many reasons to run away, my cabin trip was required to manage myself. This is a privilege I often can’t afford, which is why I took it. While I didn’t map every detail I had hoped for, I returned home re-energized and focused on the work ahead.