Create Your Own Path
Let’s be honest, you have no idea what is going to happen whenever you are starting something. I mean, yes, you can read a book and theatrically plan for “what’s to come”, but reality hits hard once you step out the door and start hoping for the best. In 2017, I started to feel like I wanted to be a photographer, and around 2018 I was making some money. I mean we are talking a couple of hundred dollars a year, but who needs money when you are 24 years old? All I cared about at the time was making my way to living on the road!
Let’s be honest, you have no idea what is going to happen whenever you are starting something. I mean, yes, you can read a book and theatrically plan for “what’s to come”, but reality hits hard once you step out the door and start hoping for the best. In 2017, I started to feel like I wanted to be a photographer, and around 2018 I was making some money. I mean we are talking a couple of hundred dollars a year, but who needs money when you are 24 years old? All I cared about at the time was making my way to living on the road!
As the years would pass, I would work odd jobs to sustain myself. All the while, I would shoot as often as I could, hoping to create a good image or two. One year passed and I still had gotten… well nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, I had taken photos for at least 150 days, but by no means were they good!
“2019 was going to be my year,” I thought. I would make money and hit the road. And, this did happen! In 2019 I spent 5 months traveling around on my savings, hoping to pick up odd photo gigs here and there. I was getting to shoot a $500 job about once a month. Yes, this is not much, but it paid the bills I had coming in. Until my transmission blew on my van and I had to fork over $3k to fix it. Draining my bank account, I went back to work as a substitute teacher.
While I taught, I caught up on editing and started writing a bit more. At some point, I felt confident submitting a couple of pieces that I had written. One of them, plus 12 other photos, became my first magazine feature. I had worked for 5 months on the road for this opportunity. For most, this would not be worth it. For me, this was the dream. This was the start.
Updated reflection from January 2023:
This trip I talk about was one of the first times I spent everyday seeking out a photograph. Looking back now, there were a couple of gems, but mostly the images were not good, but it was a learning lesson for myself.
I learned how to trust my instincts, I learned how to shop a concept by pitching it to brands, and I learned that licensing images after a trip can become a profitable business model if you are willing to put in the work.
A perfect example of this was my first licensed image to Patagonia for $300. At the time, that was the most I had ever made from a single image, my mind was blown. At this point, there are a few images from this trip that have yielded well over what it cost me to make this trip.
If you are reading this, I would encourage you to take the risk and pursue your passion, remain dedicated, and push. This path is not easy and it takes a long time, but you can do it. After almost seven years of relentless pursuit, I now make an above average income creating content and no longer feel obligated to accept every job offered to me.
Discover the Photographer’s Journey for yourself
How To Create a Time-Lapse Video | Tips, Gear List, and Importance of Location
On a monthly cycle, I spend most of my nights not sleeping and looking up at the stars. Moving across the sky throughout the night, I imagine an alien looking back upon us. If we spoke in the same language—odds are we wouldn’t—what would they say? Would they know our planet as the blue planet? Would we be friends?
On a monthly cycle, I spend most of my nights not sleeping and looking up at the stars. Moving across the sky throughout the night, I imagine an alien looking back upon us. If we spoke in the same language—odds are we wouldn’t—what would they say? Would they know our planet as the blue planet? Would we be friends?
During these sleepless nights, I become delirious, but that reward is well worth the fatigue. The night sky is a mystery to me, it always has been. More often than not, I prefer to wrap myself in my bed sheets, lay my head on the pillow, and drift into that safe and comfortable place. In my dreamland, I can fly and hold my breath forever. Everything moves a little bit slower, so I can manage the speed of life. BANG I snap back to life and am present with reality.
Life can be difficult. To get what you want, you have to work for it. Long hours and long nights. Sore legs, pain in your lower back, and blood-shot eyes are the badges I wear. Being a workaholic is not a dream, but it is a reality for the time being. My dream requires a long and arduous upfront load of work. As I build a life as a photographer, writer, and storyteller, I realized there is more than what meets the eye.
The milkyway over Bonsai Rock in Lake Tahoe. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
At first, I thought all I needed to do was point my camera in the correct direction, with good light, but that was ignorance. Those are definitely a couple of the ingredients, but not the whole pie. Plus, as I grow and learn about being a creative, I recognize that I also want to experience the journey with those I document. I want to climb the mount with the human, not just catch a ride to the top to snap a few summit stories.
The process, the journey, the hardship, the struggle, the endurance are why I am here. There could be short cuts, but I am not willing to take them. I am would be cheating myself out of the opportunity to learn and grow. If I choose to cheat, I wont ever reach my true potential, so I must endure.
It is this desire and passion which allows me to capture the movement and beauty which shines during these dark times. Especially on a crisp evening around Lake Tahoe.
how to Create a Time-Lapse
A time-lapse is a series of images played together to create a video. Since the typical framers per second (fps) in a video is 24fps, or 30fps, this requires the creator to take a minimum of 24 images to create a 1 second video.
How many images do I need to take?
Usually you export a video in 24 fps. So, if you want a one second video take 24 images. I prefer to have a 10ish second video, so I usually take 240 images.
What is the subject of movement?
When you are creating a time-lapse, asking yourself, “What is the subject of movement” will help you create better time-lapses. Why is this? A time-lapse looks best where there is movement. This can be the camera moving on sliders, or this can be
How long will the time-lapse take to record?
The time to record a time-lapse ranges based on two factors, your interval of shots and how many shots you take. So, break out your calculator and punch in this formula to figure out the time to record:
“Interval of shots” x “number of photograph” = total time to shoot time-lapse
Note: if you are photographing a time-lapse of the stars be aware of the time it takes for your camera to process an image. For example, I have the Sony a7r4 and if I take a 30 second exposure I need to add an additional 30 seconds for processing time making the total interval of photographs 1 minute.
Is my memory card capable of process this time-lapse?
As a general rule of thumb, any memory card that has a processing speed of 180mb/s fast enough to keep up with mirrorless cameras shooting a time-lapse.
Gear List Needed to photograph a time-lapse:
Camera (most mirrorless camera come stock with an “interval shooting mode”
Tripod (or a gimbal if you plan on having movement)
Fresh battery
Space in your memory card
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A Photographer's Start
There was a burning desire inside of me to be on the road trying to become what I wanted to become, an adventure photographer, but I didn’t have the body of work nor the skill to be able to create on the spot. My savings account had roughly $3k from the winter of substitute teaching and I had just pumped most of my funds into a new water housing. I was equipped with two lenses, a 24-70 and a 28mm. The 28mm was the best thing I could buy that would fit into my new housing, so that is what I did.
January 27th, 2020
There was a burning desire inside of me to be on the road trying to become what I wanted to become, an adventure photographer, but I didn’t have the body of work nor the skill to be able to create on the spot. My savings account had roughly $3k from the winter of substitute teaching and I had just pumped most of my funds into a new water housing. I was equipped with two lenses, a 24-70 and a 28mm. The 28mm was the best thing I could buy that would fit into my new housing, so that is what I did.
At the time, I had no idea what it took to create a shot, but I was excited to try. Eager, I took a chance and headed south. My goal, which never actually happened, was to photograph the California coast from San Diego to Brookings, OR. I got distracted by rocks and ended up along HWY 395, but that is another story.
The best shot of the day while attempting to road trip and shoot a surf project. The trip felt like a lifetime of learning in a single go. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
On my first night, I jumped in the water at Swami’s, I was still heading south from Santa Cruz for San Diego. With a few low-hanging clouds and a packed line-up, I swam out with my camera loaded (on the wrong settings) and started snapping. The thought had not crossed my mind that I should link up with surfers to create work, I just figured if I showed up at a popular place somebody would be there.
Struggling to hold position, or just get into a position, I welded my camera and pulled the trigger. Time and time again, I tried to shoot. From the screen on the back, I knew images were being captured, but I really couldn’t see if anything good was being shot.
Click. Click. Click. Firing frame after frame without consequence. Thank goodness I started in the digital age! I tried onto of the wave looking down, pulled back, selfies, and in the “channel”. As the sun started to set, the clouds changed from white to pink cotton candy. Maybe, this was going to work! Maybe, I could actually take a good photo!
All I knew was that I wanted to get better, which meant I needed to put in more hours.
Yup, I sucked and took terrible photos, but damn it was a fun way to start out!!
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Go Make the Time
It's almost impossible to neglect the reality that most of us are wasting our lives. Taking notes and accounting of my interactions with others, I look at and observe how we waste our lives. Often these observations make me as questions like; Why do we do this? Why do we allow ourselves to live an unhappy life?
It's almost impossible to neglect the reality that most of us are wasting our lives. Taking notes and accounting of my interactions with others, I look at and observe how we waste our lives. Often these observations make me as questions like; Why do we do this? Why do we allow ourselves to live an unhappy life?
In a free country, every morning we wake up, we have the option to set our own schedule. However, most of us are not willing to make our own schedule, because it is scary, Yet, we complain that we don’t have control over our lives. Well, here is your wake up sign, start making time to become your own schedule setter!
Below is a video and a poem that I wrote addressing my observations. Hopefully, this video or poem will encourage somebody to take control waste a little bit less of their day.
Go Make the Time
86,400…. 86,397…. 86,394….
Stop thinking and telling yourself “I’ll find the time” because
you’ll realize, that opportunity has passed.
86,372… 86,369… 86,366…
Who are your loved one? Have you spoken with them today,
yesterday? Or, will you wait until tomorrow?
86,354… 86,351…
Are you the puppeteer of your calendar, or
Does somebody else pull the strings?
86,341… 86,338…
Close your eyes and visualize your escape,
What are you actively doing to preserve its essence?
86,328…
Go on, get up. It’s time to demonstrate your underrated strengths,
Why are you still here?
86,319…
Stop watching and start prioritizing
These are the last 86,312 seconds of YOUR day.
Jumping off a cliff into a body of water while hiking in Teton National Park. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
This poem is here to encourage you.
For all of the haters out there, feel free to leave a comment below and tell me things like… we aren’t all free, some of us have to work for a living, I’m nothing but white privilege, etc. If you feel this way, I am sorry and I am not trying to offend you. My goal is to share some inspiration with you to encourage you to find solutions, so you can live a better life.
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Surrender to the Moment
When I first sat down to write this blog, I wanted to express the beauty and elegance longboarding holds. Erased line after erased line, the string of words could not match the self-expression and feminine endearment longboarding requires. My ego and masculinity wanted to force together words, hoping to create prose. Instead, I was faced with a challenge, similar to that of riding the nose or cross-stepping, to surrender.
When I first sat down to write this blog, I wanted to express the beauty and elegance longboarding holds. Erased line after erased line, the string of words could not match the self-expression and feminine endearment longboarding requires. My ego and masculinity wanted to force together words, hoping to create prose. Instead, I was faced with a challenge, similar to that of riding the nose or cross-stepping, to surrender.
To be frank, I do not think I achieved this in the lines, or photos, below. It’s still a work in progress for me!
Surrender to the Moment
Let go of your mind and embrace your feminine side. It is time to release your arms and dance atop your log.
Gliding upon the ocean, step cross-legged across the plank, and meet change with elegance.
Dangle your toes over the edge, spread them wide, toss your arms to the sky, and embrace the moment like a child, for you will become an adult before your know it.
Remember, when you are ahead, take a step back, weight your foot, pivot, and rejoin the crowd with your nose pointed down the line, ready for take-off.
Finding Clarity in a Blur
Chaos, uncertainty, fear. Most would say,
“You’re lost.”
However, I am just now beginning to find myself.
This world is like a blur, moving so quickly, it is hard to focus.
Click here, double-tap that, swipe left… no right…
Hang up the phone and begin looking beneath your nose.
Finding Clarity in a Blur
Chaos, uncertainty, fear. Most would say,
“You’re lost.”
However, I am just now beginning to find myself.
This world is like a blur, moving so quickly, it is hard to focus.
Click here, double-tap that, swipe left… no right…
Hang up the phone and begin looking beneath your nose.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be the dumbest person
in the room. Better yet, seek to always be
“The dumbest person in the room!" so you can absorb the knowledge surrounding you.
Take chances, the kind of ones that force you to grow, without breaking you
into tiny pieces. Nourish your ego with humble pie and shrug off all those
who seek to steer you away from your Personal Legend.
But first, clear your mind, so your heart can speak. For
it will take you
towards your Personal Legend.
Where does this “poem” come from?
This poem is an attempt to explain the confusion I feel. There are moments of clarity in my life, however, with each trip I take, I return to my van with more questions than answers. At times, these questions can be daunting and create anxiety, but when I take the time to release these emotions, through writing most often, a sense of calm typically overcomes me.
Two thoughts that I have recently been working through…
-Our lives can be simple, why do we decide to complicate them?
-Why is it easier to move, than to remain still?
Astrophotography For Beginners
Taking that first step into the darkness of the night can be a daunting task. At first, frustration will be ever-present as you are inundated with vocabulary, the desire to buy new gear, and the hard reality that conscious practice makes perfect. This post is more about the periphery of astrophotography instead of a traditional “how to create astrophotography” manual that dives into camera settings or editing techniques. It's the things you don’t consider when starting that take the most time to discover…
Taking that first step into the darkness of the night can be a daunting task. In the beginning, frustration will be ever-present as you are inundated with vocabulary, the desire to buy new gear, and the hard reality that conscious practice makes perfect. This post is more about the periphery of astrophotography instead of a traditional “how to create astrophotography” manual that dives into camera settings or editing techniques. It's the things you don’t consider when starting that take the most time to discover.
To succeed at astrophotography as a beginner takes location scouting, the right equipment, camera setting and patience. Once you learn to master these four ingredients of astrophotography, you will be well on your way to creating gorgeous images of the Milky Way.
Read on to learn about scouting astrophotography locations, suggested gear, and tips for enjoying the process of shooting astrophotography as a beginner.
The milky way behind landscape arch in Arches National Park, UT. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
SCOUT THE LOCATION
Take a hike! No, really, go on a hike so you can see if there are going to be any red flags for yourself at night. For myself, red flags could look like climbing a steep slope alone without a headlamp or unpredictable water patterns (like slot canyons with a chance of weather). Remember, it's one thing to get to a place during the day, but can you get there under a new moon (aka the darkest night of the month) by headlamp? If not, go during the day and find key landmarks that will get you to where you are going. Something to consider while out; wildlife, sensitive soils (like the desert crust), and the not so obvious cliffs.
When I was first getting into shooting the milky way, I was out near the confluence of the American River in California with my pop, Baja. It was a long night failing as I tried to incorporate the river with the milky way and align the two with the valley. While we thought we were out there alone, we were very wrong. Upon returning to our vehicle, I noticed a set of eyes on the cliff-line above us. Pausing and calling Baja back, we navigated a river crossing and some cliff wandering to avoid a lurking mountain lion. Remember, you are not alone out there, and keep your eyes peeled!
Pro tip:
Get one of those fancy star apps where you can adjust the time and “see” the sky based on your GPS location for scouting. These apps can help you connect timing and location.
Go somewhere with a silhouette like arches, a lone tree, or a mountain.
PREP YOUR BAG (DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE)
The milky way reflects in Lake Sabrina while taking astrophotography in the Eastern Sierra. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Coffee, coffee, and oh yeah some more coffee. I don’t know about you, but the time between 2:30 and 4:00 am is hard for me to be awake. If you are an expert at not sleeping, then maybe forget about the caffeine, but for those of us who like to be under the covers during those hours, a great cup of Joe will serve you well.
Notice, I put coffee before prepping the bag. That was on purpose. Prepping your bag is important, but something to keep you warm is higher on my priority list. Why prep your bag? Doing so means you don't have to think, you know everything is ready, and it shows you are committed to going out. Shoot astro can be uncomfortable, so making your life easier to get out the door and into the discomfort can be motivation.
In your bag you should have the following:
camera
wide-angle lens (something that is in the range of 12 - 24mm and ideally f/2.0-2.8)
sturdy tripod
headlamp
extra batteries
a snack; Oreo's or gum are my preference
an extra layer
Pro tip:
If you have a top-loading bag, make sure to put your camera on top and your layers at the bottom.
Put your caffeine in a thermos, it’s going to get cold out there!
HEAD OUT AND SHOOT
This is the fun part, get out there, and shoot your heart out! Trial and error, it’s all in the reps! The reality is, astrophotography takes A LOT of practice. The difficult things are focus, alignment, and settings.
Pro Tips:
Bring a friend! Not only to chat with somebody but using a person in the distance will help with focusing if they are far enough away with a bright headlamp.
Adjust your Kelvin setting under white balance. I prefer somewhere around 3200-3700K.
To prevent star traces, there is a formula for a 500 rule, I have never used it because it is too much math (and I have a BS in Mathematics)!
The general rule of thumb, don’t allow your exposure length to exceed the length of your lens. Aka a 12mm lens = max of 12 seconds.
Slam your f-stop as low as it goes and then back it off a stop or two. Aka if you have an f/2 lens, shoot at 2.8.
Most importantly:
GO HAVE FUN!
Practicing astrophotography at Bonzi Rock in the Lake Tahoe area. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
EDIT
The truth of the matter is photography’s ability to capture a length of time and compress it into a still image that makes a photo more magnificent than looking up at the night sky. Because of this, editing has become a significant focus of astrophotography. This can be a nightmare, especially if you botch it; editing takes time, but the key is in the white balance, blacks, and whites. I would suggest playing around with these until you find a style, or look, you like best. I am not a presets guy, but the word on the street is there are some pretty good ones out there!
SHARE
Be proud of the work you created and share it with your friends, family, and social media peeps. There is no better feeling than seeing somebody's eyes light up when they see something new or different. Luckily, as a creative, you get to do that often!
ASTRO 201
If you are asking yourself the question, what’s the next step in astrophotography? Well, here are some suggestions:
Star-trails
Using strobes to light the foreground
Stacked images (if you are into the photoshop life)
The milky way over a campervan in the Alabama Hills of the Eastern Sierra. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Now that you have learned about scouting astrophotography locations, suggested gear, and tips for enjoying the process of shooting astrophotography it is time to put it to the test! Let me know in the comments below about your successes, and failures, while shooting in the comments below. Additionally, if you feel anything should be added to this blog, let me know!
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Where Does Freedom Live? (VIDEO)
Dalton Johnson seeks to answer the question, "Where does freedom live?" in his latest video from the UT desert. He spent a month climbing, canyoneering, and trail running around Moab, Utah. The visuals all come from the surrounding areas of Moab. In this project, Dalton visited Indian Creek, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
Where Does Freedom Live?
Take a deep breath and close your eyes
Shut out the skeptical mind and listen to your foolish heart.
What do you feel between those thumps that keep you alive?
Is it an adrenaline spike?
Is it a chill down your spine from another’s touch?
Is it exhaustion from a day you thought could only be a dream?
Between the pulses, your heart is speaking, but are you listening?
During those sleepless nights, it’s telling you it’s time.
As you stare out the window, you can feel the pull.
Your life is calling to you.
When will you let the allure of the open road drawn you in?
When will you listen to your heart?
When will you be ready?
Regardless of when, please, relentlessly seek your freedom!
———————-
Dalton Johnson seeks to answer the question, "Where does freedom live?" in his latest video from the UT desert. He spent a month climbing, canyoneering, and trail running around Moab, Utah. The visuals all come from the surrounding areas of Moab. In this project, Dalton visited Indian Creek, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
A Letter to Humanity
My name is Dalton Johnson and I am a wanderer with a camera, a pencil, and paper. Now, that may sound vague and entice you, but please understand, that means most would consider my days to be quite long and boring. Often you can find me by a river contemplating, dangling from a rope on the side of a cliff, struggling to breathe as I swim in alpine lakes, or walking for hours without an endpoint. The reason I am writing this letter is to spark your curiosity, foster your nurturing gifts, and to encourage you to spread your love.
To all those who decide to read this,
Thank you for taking the time out of your day, to read this letter. If you make it to the end, this letter was written for your curious, nurturing, and loving self. My name is Dalton Johnson and I am a wanderer with a camera, a pencil, and paper. Now, that may sound vague and entice you, but please understand, that means most would consider my days to be quite long and boring. Often you can find me by a river contemplating, dangling from a rope on the side of a cliff, struggling to breathe as I swim in alpine lakes, or walking for hours without an endpoint. The reason I am writing this letter is to spark your curiosity, foster your nurturing gifts, and to encourage you to spread your love.
Over the last five years, I have studied my actions, opened my heart, cried, closed my heart, and laughed. In the beginning, I thought I was lost. I did not know where I was headed, nor did I know what I wanted to do with my life. One could say I was your typical “failure to launch” or “unproductive citizen” yet nobody was guiding me. A helping hand did not look like somebody putting out their hand to lift me. Instead, a helping hand looked like Kiwi (a resident of New Zealand) offering me “biscuits and tea” because they felt bad for the guy cycling in the rain. In fact, I had been cycling for a week in the rain, but they did not know that.
As the years went on, I desperately wanted a mentor to lead me. I wanted somebody to help me along the way and guide me through this unknown world. While many gave advice, I never found that person who would take me under their wing. Emails were sent. Fourth and fifth follow up emails went unanswered. Showing up uninvited to people’s place of work, asking if I could help were rejected. Still no teacher. There came a point, I was laying in my tent, crying, as the words of all those I looked up to shared stories of mentors showing them the ropes.
Continuing down my path, I started to feel a bit insecure. I would lie to myself and built a world with blinders, telling myself that everything was going to be okay. To keep pushing and something will happen. Truth be told, nothing happened. No handouts, no fame, no wing to ease my flight. Self-help book after self-help book and motivational speech after motivational speech couldn’t solve the void I felt. Then, I gave up.
I turned my back and said, “Since everyone is too busy to help, I guess I will just do what I love and see what happens.” Turns out, when you follow your heart, the world begins to speak to you.
My wandering became focused on nature. I walked in the woods, climbed up rocks, swam in oceans. Curiosity spiked and questions about why did “X” happen, how long would it take for… to form, why do we all accept and agree to “XYZ”, and more went unanswered, but they were asked and observed. I started sitting and watching the sunset. Appreciating the smile on somebody's face as they walked past me. There was a relief that overcame me as I began to understand what I had already known as a kid. The desert flora and fauna started to show me how to survive the extremes. The forest inhabitants showed me how to balance excess and competition. The ocean and moon were experts in cycles and relationships. Fires, droughts, and floods no longer were a disaster, but an attempt to heal the wounds the earth had endured. The natural world became the teacher and mentor I had been seeking.
As the physical seasons changed around me, I could feel I was in a mental change of season. As a kid, I wanted to be a writer and travel the world, and following my heart had taken me to places I had dreamed of as a kid and allowed me to publish some of my words. While my traveling dreams as a kid were more romantic, liking riding off on a horse to see the world at sunset waving to my loved ones, the reality is my noble steed has been a bike, a car, and a couple of vans and my loved ones have been nowhere in sight as I set off midday. Instead, they all understood that I need to leave because there was something inside of me that nobody could stop without gratefully hindering both of our lives. This change in mentality brought new questions encouraged by my environment. Questions like why am I pursuing “X”, what am I willing to sacrifice to make “Y” happen, and, most importantly, how will I give back to to my teacher, Earth?
It was during this season that I began to understand myself, because I was merely a reflection of the world around me. But, how do you continue to nurture yourself if your environment is always changing? How can you be consistent at showing up and improving yourself? The answer is in the questions. Once one stops asking the questions, the nurturing stops. We are all able to reflect, but we must make time and be like the mountains. Moving slowly, but still moving. We can be like a lake reflecting the world around us because we are still, but under the surface we hold our current. To nurture ourselves takes time, patience, and continual effort. Luckily, we are social creatures and our environment is greater than the natural world.
As humans, we can converse and work together. We can show each other love and boost everyone around us. The way we present ourselves to this world is also a reflection of our environment. If we do not have time for Me, we do not have time for Others. If we continue to fill our schedules with meaningless work, we are dying inside. Our hearts can become tough, hiding us from those who want to help. From those who want to give a hand. If our pursuit is for material things, we must understand the long term effects of accumulation. Eventually, you will be so full, there is no space for perceived stillness and slow growth. Our commitments will jade us, preventing us from loving the environment we are apart. If we are a reflection of our environment, then our environment is also a reflection of us. If we exude love, then our environment will provide love.
As seasonal transformations take year after year, our effects on our environment are similar. The impact of a single generation can, and will, be felt multiple generations down the road. What we continually nurture, is what we will become. Think back to my efforts to become a mentee above. I was attempting to manifest a relationship that was only going to benefit one person, myself. I now understand why I was not mentored. If we hope to become better as a species, we must take the time to be still and think through our actions so that we may consider the lasting impacts of our actions. So, be your curious self, nurture from the heart, and encourage the spread of love amongst your environment.
Thank you for reading,
Dalton
Be a Kid Again and Ask, "Why? Why? Why?..."
As we age (I know, not what we all want to acknowledge) we begin to rely on our past experience. Fortunately, our experiences have kept us alive and thriving over the last “X” number of years. Unfortunately, this experience removes the natural curiosity we had as a kid, potentially blinding us from seeing this world as it presents itself to us. Our experience allows us to see “between the lines” and blocks us from being surprised by one’s actions. Yet, what happens when we can no longer surprise ourselves? Have we become stagnant? Well, that is possible, but there is an easy way to get out of that rut. Simply, be that annoying a kid again, and ask yourself “Why?” until you can’t go any further.
As we age (I know, not what we all want to acknowledge) we begin to rely on our experience. Fortunately, our experiences have kept us alive and thriving over the last “X” number of years. Unfortunately, this experience removes the natural curiosity we had as a kid, potentially blinding us from seeing this world as it presents itself to us. Our experience allows us to see “between the lines” and blocks us from being surprised by one’s actions. Yet, what happens when we can no longer surprise ourselves? Have we become stagnant? Well, that is possible, but there is an easy way to get out of that rut. Simply, be that annoying a kid again, and ask yourself “Why?” until you can’t go any further.
Why Ask Why?
Asking why leads to an open-ended answer that usually can not be expressed in a single word. Why takes time to think through. Often, why questions are loaded with background knowledge we must sort through. If we rush a why question, we either end up lying to ourselves, and others, or reinventing the story to quickly sum up days, weeks, even years of experience. So, asking why forces us to slow down, be honest with ourselves and others, and to acknowledge those unaddressed wounds we have been hiding.
Want to learn more about WHO questions or general introspection? Click the word.
The Power of Why
The power in asking why goes well beyond honesty, a forced reduction of speed, and healing wounds. The true power of why is in the relationship we build with ourselves. Our true mission in life reveals itself to us as time goes on, only if we ask why. As we understand ourselves better, we can see the patterns we want to change or grow. As we grow into the best person we can be, through understanding ourselves, we can help others by endlessly pursuing our why.
How Many Why’s Should I Ask?
If I were to give you a blanket statement, I would say five times. However, there are occasions 18 whys are required to get to the root of my reflections. Other times, it only takes three why’s. So, there is no recipe, however, there is a solution; ask yourself why until you can not answer any longer. That would be a great start!
How Do I Know If I Am Lying to Myself?
We are all stuck in our own lies and there is no way around that besides hitting it straight on! You must get real with yourself and build a checks-and-balances system. For myself, this is between my journaling, my daily actions, and my SMART goals. My SMART goals keep me on track, my actions are my daily intentions, and my journaling practice is the reflection that holds me accountable each day. Develop a system for yourself. This could be a calendar or this could be a vision board. There are lots of ways to work through your lies.
How to Begin Journaling with Why?
Journaling has been the best practice for me to sort through my lies and slap me in the face when I am BSing myself. I’ll admit, I tell myself that I am doing well in my diet… then I eat a box of Oreos. When I record in my journal “I ate a box of Oreos” and also try to write, “I ate well today” in the same sentence, I know something is off! So, how does journaling and why go together? If you select specific topics to focus on, you can assess yourself each day on how you are progressing towards your goal. If you slip up, the journaling will catch you. If you are doing well, the journal will congratulate you.
Let’s keep with the diet theme. If you want to focus on your food and beverage intake (which I call diet) while journaling each night it could look something like this:
-Write the facts: “I ate an egg and spinach omelet for breakfast. Lunch was a turkey sandwich. Dinner was Mac and Cheese. Sadly I ate a box of Oreos. On the bright side, I controlled my caffeine intake with one cup of coffee.”
-Assess and ask your FIRST why: “Why are you sad about eating a box of Oreos? I was having a bad day after my dog died and I am focused on not drinking caffeine. Usually, I would have had six cups of coffee.”
Now, that is getting somewhere!
-SECOND why: “After my dog died, why did I feel I needed to consume something to make myself feel better? I called three friends and nobody picked up because they were at work.”
-THIRD why: “Why did I call these three people and not somebody who doesn’t work, like mom? I didn’t want to bother her.”
-FOURTH why: “Why don’t you want to bother her? She has called me three times and I have forgotten to give her a call back because I am stressed about work.”
-Fifth why: “Why is returning mom’s phone call easily forgotten? I don’t really know, maybe because she is always there for me and I am embarrassed to call her when I have problems. After all, she raised me and has already dealt with so many of my problems.”
At this point, we can see eating a box of Oreo’s is not the problem, that was just the bandaid we slapped on to sort through our own lies and pains. We should have just called mom, cried a little bit about our dog, written a country song, and been proud we only drank one cup of coffee.
Conclusion
The above example is a bit strange, but you can get the point of how our fixation on a single action usually is not the issue. The issue is usually something deeper that we must address and work on. Asking why takes time, so make sure to allot yourself 10ish minutes to ask these questions. Rushing the why’s is only a disservice to yourself. Be kind to yourself and promote growth. As you discover who you are and what your why (sometimes called a mission statement) you will help improve the world. Keep up the work and stay positive. Most of all, live your dream life!
How can Ikigai improve my life?
Most likely you have not heard of Ikigai, however, its background story and correlation to the Japanese island, Okinawa, which is home to the most centenarians in the world gives this Japanese practice an unparalleled lifestyle design resume. Living in the west, we have a consumer-based society, where our value is based on our belongings. That is not the case in Ikigai.
Most likely you have not heard of Ikigai, however, its background story and correlation to the Japanese island, Okinawa, which is home to the most centenarians in the world gives this Japanese practice an unparalleled lifestyle design resume. Living in the west, we have a consumer-based society, where our value is based on our belongings. That is not the case in Ikigai.
What is Ikigai?
The word Ikigai loosely translates to “the reason for living.”
What is Ikigai based upon?
Ikigai has four categories to consider. Each category has the same weight in life, however, finding the harmony between all four allows you to live your Ikigai:
-What you love
-What you can be paid for
-What are you good at
-What the world needs
The Ten Principles of Ikigai according to Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles:
1. Stay active and don’t retire
2. Leave urgency behind and adopt a slower pace of life
3. Only eat until you are 80 percent full
4. Surround yourself with good friends
5. Get in shape through daily, gentle exercise
6. Smile and acknowledge people around you
7. Reconnect with nature
8. Give thanks to anything that brightens our day and makes us feel alive.
9. Live in the moment
10. Follow your ikigai
A great video:
Digital Nomad Must Read Book List
Having the mindset to live on the road means you are willing to work through the punches. As a digital nomad, these books will help you find yourself along your travels as well as give you a perspective that showcases how others have done it in the past. In the end, what you read influences your daily life, your thoughts, and eventually your actions, so read the books which will help you get to where you want to go!
I have not found any books lists that brings a variety of book topics together, so, I made one for all you digital nomads out there! Putting together a selection of books, for those who want to pursue their own dreams on the road, that have been influential for me to design my own life. From the woo-woo to the boring (but helpful) business books to poetry I revisit, this list showcases the variety of reading for a digital nomad who has sore legs and an active mind. In this list you will find a short description following the title and a link to the book if you are interested in grabbing your own copy. In many ways sharing these books, is like sharing my process to becoming who I am today, for the better or the worse. Hopefully, this list can help you where-ever you are at.
Total transparency, I HATED READING! Growing up I had a page quota every summer that I was supposed to read, but we were also rewarded for the time spent reading. There was a simple equation, 1 hour of reading = 30 minutes of video games. The skill I developed here… learn how to not read, stare at a book, turn the page occasionally, and create dream worlds in my head. Maybe I am not proud of that! However, my mindset around reading changed in 2018 after meeting my good friend, Scott, who is a voracious reader. His reading habits rubbed off on me as we spent time in the backcountry, or climbing. Before I talk any more, here is the book list:
1) The Alchemist
This book is the ONLY book I have ever read more than once. Now, that doesn’t make a book good, it just means I liked reading it. The story is simple, elegant, and tells a story of a boy who pursues a dream. Maybe I relate? However, the nuggets about life that are in this short read are the reason this book is on this list!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
2) Dharma Bums
Andrew Muse and his dog, Kicker, watching the sunrise in Baja, Mexico
My all-time favorite book. This book gave me everything I needed; adventure, a love story, struggle, chaos, and a sense of freedom. Also, this beatnik book showcases the foundation of thinking different, and the author, Jack Kerouac, is accredited for the name of the famous band, The Beatles, and coining the term Beatnik.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
3) Musashi
If you are as slow as a reader like me, this book will take you about 8 months. Now, those 8 months were well invested! The warriors’ way is laid out in full throughout this novel. Mushashi is a real samurai who follows that path and becomes the best at his craft. All in all, an amazing epic!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
4) The Tao of Pooh / The Te of Piglet
I love a good allegory. I’m not quite sure how Hoff got the rights to use Winnie the Pooh, but dang he knocked the explanation of Taoism out of the park in these two books! Easy to read and very fun. The humor is light-hearted, there are illustrations, and the concepts are easy to grasp. If you allow the teaching in these books digestion time, you’ll begin to question your ego and consumeristic behaviors.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
5) Anthem
What a slap to the face! Rand uses her disdain for communism to rip apart any bureaucratic society that slows down the process of ingenuity. In 100 pages, Rand convinced me to follow my own dreams and stop living a life dictated by others.
John Mel surfing a stand up barrel at Mavericks on a “small” day.
6) 20 Love Poems and a Song of Despair
Who doesn’t love a good love poem? Neruda is one of my favorite poets and my introduction to poetry. The way I see it, you can’t live on the road and not have at least a little bit of love and despair in your life! This book eloquently writes about both. If you are in a van, in Bali, or just dreaming of being nomadic, what better tales to inspire you than those of love?
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
7) Siddhartha
A classic novel that takes the teachings of Siddhartha and inspires you to rethink your position in life. We all must walk our own path. Others will guide us, but if we choose to follow, we will not lead our own life. When reading this book, you will see how dogma can/will hold you down. Explore your insides, so you can pursue your own authentic path.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
8) Brave New World
Some may call this a dystopian, others might call it a utopia. I mean who wouldn’t want to know what their role is society is? Who wouldn't want a predetermined path selected for them? Who wouldn’t want to have endless sex, never feel pain or jealousy, and always be happy? Well, for one, that would be me! I wouldn’t want that. Luckily, I am not one of the characters in this book. Brave New World is on this list because it showcases where our lives can go if we allow others to dictate our life. Make sure to be the author of your own novel!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
9) The Eragon Cycle
I know, I know, I know. This is a teen novel series, however, if your ego is so great that you won’t watch a Disney movie, or read a book designed for a kid, maybe the time has come! These four books are well written and tell a tale of adventure, imagination, dragons, elves, dwarfs, and so much more. Most of us read Harry Potter, however not enough of us have read this cycle. The most important takeaways for a nomad while reading this book is the idea of commitment and the lifecycle of commitments. By the way, there is a little love story that has an epic twist!
10) The Four Agreements
I was late to the game reading this book. Most of my college buddies swore by it, yet I neglected it until 2022. Why? I just didn’t see the value. However, I was riding a functional burnout after a heavy cycle of traveling in the van through Baja, Mexico for work, and needed a quick read. In no time, this book slapped me in the face and I realized why and how I had been living life incorrectly. Thus, I suggest any digital nomads to pick this up and give it a read to establish a solid foundation before living on the road.
Spearfishing for dinner in Baja Mexico while on a surf trip.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
11) The Power of Habits
A dense book but full of wisdom. If you can parse down the information provided, you will be able to unlock the “bad” habits you have and modify them into “good” habits that propel you further into your dream life. If you are a digital nomad, your habits will determine your success and how long you can stay on the road, so this read is a must!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
12) Wayward
If you do NOT know who Chris Burkard is, then you are missing out. Not only is he a kind human in person, but his work is dumbfounding! He is a photographer, best known for surfing in the arctic… aka cold AF, and more recently known for his speaking and writing. As a storyteller, he is on his way to the top!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
13) The Artist’s Way
I’ll be honest, I haven’t read this one yet, but it is on my bookshelf and I am hoping to dig into soon (I have five more books to read first). If I haven’t read it, why is it here? Well, I might not have read this book cover to cover, but I have picked and pulled creative habits from this book over the last 3 years, many of which have taken my creativity to the next level. I am very excited to dive into this masterpiece cover-to-cover and do workbook along the way,.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
14) Creative Calling
Chase Jarvis knocked it out of the park on this one. He redefines creativity and speaks from the heart about what it takes to make a life as a creative. Now, don’t be fooled, Creative Calling is not a “How-To” book, but more of a path to self-discovery around your own personal relationship with creativity. This book took his well known podcast and turned it into a process driven book to help individuals find their calling.
Laying in bed and enjoying the view out the back of the van on a cloudy sunrise in Baja, Mexico.
15) Four Hour Work Week
This book was the break-out for Tim Ferris and for good reason. While the title is a gimmick, the concepts and structure are there. In many ways, Tim was a the first to begin the dialogue around life-style design and the work remote movement. In doing so he paved the way for all of us digital nomads. In many ways, this book should be at the top of the list and while it is dense, should be a read by all those traveling and working remotely.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
16) Vagabonding
Vagabonding’s sub-title; “An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel” is exactly that! If you wish to live on the road for a long duration, or keep living on the road, this book will provide a step-by-step guide to achieving that goal. The only place where you’ll need to put in some extra work will be on the selection process of how you want to travel and make money. Rolf Potts lays out several options, but there are many more that need to be updated as we live in different times.
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
17) Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer
In many ways, this was my first investment into myself and a career of photography. While the content of this book can be out-dated—especially the social media discussions—this book is a great resource to understand the vast opportunities you have as a photographer to make some money. Heck, this book is good if you want to have a side hustle of photography as well, as it maps out ways to make passive income over the long term. Which, if you are a digital nomad, this will be a great option for you!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE
Conclusion:
Having the mindset to live on the road means you are willing to work through the punches. As a digital nomad, these books will help you find yourself along your travels as well as give you a perspective that showcases how others have done it in the past. In the end, what you read influences your daily life, your thoughts, and eventually your actions, so read the books which will help you get to where you want to go! I hope you enjoy and if you have any other recommendations, please drop your ideas in the comments :-) I would love to hear your thoughts!
Four Ways to Improve Your Perspective On Society
The societal climate appears to be hot and toasty. Often, the rhetoric is negative and disapproving of our society, yet what are you doing to make it a better place? How are you creating an environment for others to see the good in society? Below are four ways to connect with other humans and improve your perspective on society.
The societal climate appears to be hot and toasty. Often, the rhetoric is negative and disapproving of our society, yet what are you doing to make it a better place? How are you creating an environment for others to see the good in society? Below are four ways to connect with other humans and improve your perspective on society.
1) Hug Often
Sure, we can shake hands, but you lose the opportunity to put a smile on somebody's face. A hug is an embrace with another human where we connect and build trust. You can feel their heartbeat, their touch, and vulnerability to open their arms, exposing their vital organs. Hugs that last 30 seconds, or longer, have shown to reduce anxiety in both participants. So, hug often!
2) Share Meals with Others
Who doesn’t enjoy eating some good food? Why not invite friends over for dinner, share lunch with a co-worker, grab coffee with a stranger. The food and/or drink is just an excuse to listen and talk with another human. Going for a walk and talk with your neighbor or a phone call with a friend all work the same, but the goal here is to talk with a person, preferably outside of your echo chamber.
3) Dance Under the Stars (this is my favorite)
Logistically, I understand this can be difficult to orchestrate, but when the opportunity arises, never turn it down! Better yet, suggest it because who knows the next time you will be in the situation. When we dance we move with somebody, thus we learn how to give and take without overpowering the other. So, even if it isn’t under the stars, go dance. Go laugh. Go enjoy yourself with others.
4) Send Appreciation Letters to Loved Ones
When was the last time you sent somebody a handwritten letter for no reason? I’m not here to remind you of all those letters you should have sent, we all know we should have sent at least 100 two years ago. The key here, make it easy. Say you love watching Netflix and drinking wine, or beer, after work on the couch. That is awesome and sounds relaxing. Why not have blank cards, stamps, and a pen next to you? Who knows, maybe you’ll write 101 letters!
Conclusion
Here are four ways to connect with humans on a positive front. It might be the case that somebody doesn’t want to dance to share a meal, don’t take it personally. Act with good intentions and be a kind human. You’ll begin noticing this world is a beautiful place filled with lots of kind and generous people.
Four Steps to Unlocking Your Day: The Traveler's Mindset
We all have 24 hours in a day and you can choose to spend those hours however you wish. It does not matter if you work a 9-5 or live in a van. We are the creators of your schedules. We are the puppet master pulling our strings. Our actions are ours alone. Why not embrace the traveler’s mindset and get the most out of your 24 hours?
Carpe Diem, or Seize the Day, is what it means to be a traveler, but why? Often times we only visit a place once, which means all the excuses you use while at home won’t work. There is no tomorrow, only today. There is no next time, only this time. Now, what if you could take that mindset and apply it to your daily life? While there might be limits to your audacious adventures when you are traveling, I have been curious and practicing how I can use the traveler’s mindset to unlock my days. Using this mindset, I have built a life on the road that works even if you live the 9-5 life. And the best part, it’s easy to start!
The first step is realizing what it means for you to seize the day. Maybe it is sipping Mai Tai’s on the beach, or maybe it is climbing a glaciated peak in a remote mountain range, either way, let’s make that a reality! Take out a pen and paper, jot down what you dream of doing, then walk away to grab a cup of coffee and think to yourself, “Yup, you had a sweet idea!” Now, since you are at home and probably not in Tahiti, it is time to get creative.
Let’s use the the Mai Tai on the beach example and say you live in Minnesota. How do you sip Mai Tai’s on a beach in Minnesota in the dead of winter? You fill your living room with sand, begin a quest to make the best Mai Tai in the world, turn up the heater, and live steam the sunset over the ocean. Maybe toss in some tiki lanterns for some added flare. Now, I know this may see extreme, but if you wanted to sip Mai Tai’s on a beach every day for the rest of your life, yet you live in Minnesota, wouldn’t this be a pretty comparable solution? Think of all the crazy and wild solutions you could create. All you have to do is step outside of the sand box!
The second step is to create a sense of urgency, or ephemerality. While starting was easy, I think this second step is the most difficult. When you are traveling, the reason you go see the Eiffel Tower when it is pouring rain or walk around the pyramids during a heat wave is because you don’t have another chance. However, once you are home, going to the park is old and becomes a task. Why? Because it is always there and you know it’ll be better another time. So, how do you overcome this? You create urgency by reducing the comforts you have.
For example, I love being at the ocean or in the mountains. I want my whole life to bounce between the two, catching the best swells and squeezing in weather windows. So, I packed everything I needed into a car and left the comforts for another person. While I admit I have gone to the extreme, I wake up at the base of a climb or next to a beach where I can surf every morning. If you decide to take this route, decide what you won’t give up, ask yourself why, then decide if you can live without it. Each thing you keep, make sure it adds value to your life.
The third step is to build your group of friends who motivate you. Who likes doing everything alone? At some point, pushing yourself becomes a task that is easy with a friend. There is quote that I learned while teaching in outdoor education that goes something like, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I believe this to be a truth. When you are alone, you are responsible for everything, which means there is nobody but yourself to hold you back. However, if you build the right relationships, those which promote growth, you end up going further because you have the support you needed.
The last step is to go freak’n live your life! Yup, it is that simple. You now know what you want, you don’t have that comfortable couch whispering, you had a long day, come watch Netflix and chill, and best of all you have friends that call you to do the things you love!
We all have 24 hours in a day and you can choose to spend those hours however you wish. It does not matter if you work a 9-5 or live in a van. We are the creators of your schedules. We are the puppet master pulling our strings. Our actions are ours alone. Why not embrace the traveler’s mindset and get the most out of your 24 hours?
Good Reads to Inspire You:
Micro-Adventures by Sir Alistair Humphreys
Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
**When using these links, I make a small portion of the sale. There is no additional cost for you.
Asking “Who”: Understanding the Who Question Generator for Introspection
Who questions are a great place to start whenever you are trying to take a deeper dive into your cognitive process. The reason, people are often the trigger, or influence, into why we didn’t stick to our truths. In our hearts, we know what is correct, but often it is our environment that changes the typical results for what we want to achieve. Please note, this influence can be both, constructive and destructive.
Asking “Who”
Understanding the Who Question Generator for Introspection
Who questions are a great place to start whenever you are trying to take a deeper dive into your cognitive process. The reason, people are often the trigger, or influence, into why we didn’t stick to our truths. In our hearts, we know what is correct, but often it is our environment that changes the typical results for what we want to achieve. Please note, this influence can be both, constructive and destructive.
From personal experience, I would say influence from others often lead to better results. Just think about your running buddy, your climber partner, or your co-worker. In most situations, the aid of another will help you make a sound decision. There is a quote from Kurt Huhn that goes something like, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Stay positive, work together, and also remember introspection is about discovering YOUR cognitive process. These actions are YOUR actions!
Who are the players in a “Who” question?
A "who" question is all about taking note of who you are with during the time at which you made a reaction. This reaction could have been positive or negative, but make sure to take note of who surrounds you. List out everyone, even if they a person didn’t seem to have any influence what so ever.
Where do “Who” questions live?
Who questions are a simple observation of your surrounding or future. When it comes to reflection, take note of the people in the room. I like to ask “who” upfront because I know that there are a few people, like my family and closest friends, that I rely on to be an audit for my ideas. So, I often ask "who" questions quite often when selecting a person to bounce ideas. When looking at the past or towards the future, "who" questions are great for seeking support!
When to use a “Who” question?
Who questions are for the past or the future, but often asked during reflection. If you are setting goals, this is a great time to ask yourself, “who would be a good person for me to talk with/meet?” Meanwhile, if you are reflecting, a who question is a great time to ask, “Who has helped me grow in the last three months?”
What role does a “Who” question play?
A "who" question brings awareness to the situation at which you were in. Think of a who question as an auditor, selector, or identifier. When asking yourself who during reflection, often this is to identify who was around during a spike in your emotions. For example, if you had a fresh, bad breakup and you are at a party, then your ex walks in with a new date, you probably felt something! Maybe, later on, that night you did something you weren’t happy about. Maybe it was because you saw your ex and your heart was hurting, maybe it was something else, maybe it was both. Sorting this example out would be a great discovery of your emotional process.
Now, maybe you are trying to do have your portfolio reviewed but want somebody to look it over before submitting it. Does selecting your best friend or your mentor, make the most sense?
How to use a “Who” question?
Since a "who" question is an identifier to your surroundings, you use this question to set the scene for yourself. The expression, put your name in the hat, comes to mind. When asking this question, you are putting people into the hat, so you may assess their role in your goals or reflection. Make sure to add a lot of names, then take them away as you realize they did not fit your situation.
Why ask a “Who” question?
Overtime asking “Who” surrounds you will help guide you towards the community that lifts you. As you take notes on the people around you during positive and negative experiences, you will be building a list of people that boost you up and a list of people that do the opposite. As time goes on, surround yourself with those who lift you. For those who constantly bring you down, I encourage you to talk with them and share what you have found. Be kind and supportive as you would want to be supported!
Conclusion
A who question is a starting place for introspection and goal setting because it identifies the potential influences that you can semi-control in the future. This world we live in is yours to develop. You take control of your life, oftentimes by taking control of your thoughts. With control of your thoughts, you will be able to decide where you will go. However, if you let others drive for you, then you will end up where others want you. So, be the driver of your own life.
Introspection: Discover Your Cognitive Process
Another way to think of introspection is the discovery of one’s cognitive process. I use the word discovery because I do not think nearly observing nor examining is enough. To discover something, one must be curious to look around the corner, poke and prod, asking questions you may not want the answer to, but know it is important to find out. Also, I change the mental and emotional process to cognitive because one’s cognition also adds the senses to the process.
In this next series, I will be taking a deep dive into introspection, the basis of the six question generators, how to use it, and leave you with a list of questions to take your self-love and self-discovery to the next level. Today, I will share what you can expect over the next few weeks.
What is Introspection?
The observation, or examination, of one’s own mental and emotional process.
Another way to think of introspection is the discovery of one’s cognitive process. I use the word discovery because I do not think nearly observing nor examining is enough. To discover something, one must be curious to look around the corner, poke and prod, asking questions you may not want the answer to, but know it is important to find out. Also, I change the mental and emotional process to cognitive because one’s cognition also adds the senses to the process.
The Six Question Generators
At first, this may seem silly, or at least it did for me. However, you will get the hang of it, if you practice, and asking these questions will be like second nature. The good news is, you learned these questions in 2nd or 3rd grade!
Who
Where
When
What
How
Why
Yup, those are the question generators that we all know and will soon come to re-love.
How to use introspection?
Introspection is a tool and a muscle, but it can also create anxiety. The good news is, once you learn how to use your tool, you will be able to see recognize the anxiety building habits and address them.
In the most simple way, introspection is about giving yourself permission to set aside your emotions, for a brief moment, and objectively ask six questions. These six questions will help you observe your mental and emotional process, so you can begin taking the next steps you need to take.
To start, below is the most basic flow:
The event which triggers a mental or emotional habit
Remove yourself from the scenario
In a space you are alone and safe ask yourself:
Who was I with? Who was I not with? Who did I want to be with?
Where was I? Where did I want to be?
When did this happen? When did I want it to happen?
What was my emotional response?
How do I want to respond in the future?
Why was my reaction different than how I want to react in the future?
Conclusion
I look forward to taking a deep dive into each of the following sections over the next few weeks. Also, my goal is to help others be able to understand their process, so they can choose to pursue their own path in life. Have a wonderful day and, as always, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out!
Fifty Questions to Ask Yourself: When You’re Questioning Your Path
When we begin questioning the path we are on, oftentimes it is because we are in downtime, or are not seeing the results we had expected. The fifty questions below are a way to work through these downtimes and remind ourselves of what we are capable of doing, remind ourselves of the successes we have had, and to begin pointing your compass towards your true north.
When we begin questioning the path we are on, oftentimes it is because we are in downtime, or are not seeing the results we had expected. The fifty questions below are a way to work through these downtimes and remind ourselves of what we are capable of doing, remind ourselves of the successes we have had, and to begin pointing your compass towards your true north.
Who
Who are five people that influence me?
Who are five people that I look up to?
Who do I wish to become?
Who am I afraid to become?
Who has helped me grow?
Who can have achieved what I want to achieve?
Who will help me through this transition?
Who can I help?
Who can I mentor?
Who will hire me?
What
What is this path supposed to look like?
What do I do when I am bored?
What are the three goals I have?
What am I afraid to do?
What have I recently achieved that helped me grow?
What holds me back?
What am I good at/have a passion for doing?
What can I teach?
What can I give away, for free, that will help others grow?
What is the am I not willing to give up to pursue my dreams?
Where
Where does my favorite food come from?
Where does my least favorite food come from?
Where do I want to live?
Where do I not want to live?
Where do I wish I was right now?
Where do I need to be to achieve my goals?
Where do my dreams take me?
Where can I add discipline to my life?
Where are the people who I can help?
Where do I not what to be in life?
When
When can I start?
When will I consider myself able to move onto the next thing?
When can I begin teaching others?
When am I finished with the path I am on?
When will I know if I am on the correct path?
When was my last success?
When was my last challenge?
When was my last celebratory worthy moment?
When will I reach the next celebratory worthy moment?
When will I have time for reflection?
Why
Why have I not changed my course?
Why do I fear to do something?
Why do I not want to become… (see the answer to question 4 under “who”)?
Why am I questioning my current path?
Why did I begin this path?
Why am I willing to change paths? Or, why am I not willing to change paths?
Why can’t I change paths? Or, why can I change paths?
Why am I excited about tomorrow? A month from now? A year from now?
Why have I committed to my last three biggest commitments?
Why do I love the current path I am on?
Conclusion
Now that you have taken the time to sit down and think about what, where, when, and why you are on your current path, what is your plan of action? Where do you go next? Take some time to map this out and begin pursuing your dream!
Just Outside My Window
This poem was written with the intention of encouraging others to step outside of thier comfort zone and start engaging with their dreams. I use the motif of watching your dreams go by, season after season, from a window. This idea is pulled from a quote I learned while I was working as an outdoor educator (teaching backpacking, rock climbing, etc.) for Outward Bound that goes like this: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that isn’t what a ship is for.”
Just Outside My Window
From where I sit, I watch the spring leaves grow green, and
the rain pitter-patters against the glass. Creating a mosaic
of spring colors that glide down my window.
Spring turns to summer, one of my favorite times of the year.
The heat comes and the moisture dries in the grassy field that
lays just yonder. Meanwhile, a rabbit is hopping past.
As the days become shorter, I can feel in my bones,
that fall has come. A myriad of colors consumes the branches.
My window, once again, becomes a painting as the rain drips.
Inside I sit, staring at the white blanket we call winter
the leaves have fallen and only the little birds swoop
through the air, in search of a bug, or two.
Sometimes it is nice to sit and stare, but often,
I need to remind myself, that
just outside my window, the world begins.
About this poem
This poem was written with the intention of encouraging others to step outside of thier comfort zone and start engaging with their dreams. I use the motif of watching your dreams go by, season after season, from a window. This idea is pulled from a quote I learned while I was working as an outdoor educator (teaching backpacking, rock climbing, etc.) for Outward Bound that goes like this: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that isn’t what a ship is for.”
When I learned this quote, life began clicking for me. Humans are safe in house, but that isn’t where we are meant to live. I truly believe this. As humans, we physically capable and evolutionarily evolved to walk long distances. Pair the ability to move for long hours with our oversized brains that encourage curiousity, this means living a nomadic life is what we should be doing! We should be exploring and challenging ourselves to live out our dreams.
