You Don't Need It

League of Wildness -

There are things that we need and things that we think we need.

I just spent 5 days in the wilderness.

My only material possessions were what I could carry on my back and there was no cell service.

My hunting partner and I woke up hours before sunrise and arrived back at camp well after dark.

At times - I wanted to rob my future self’s food supply to satisfy my hunger, but I learned that the cravings will quickly pass.

When I’m in the wild I’ve noticed that I go into a different mode of being.

I’m much more cold-resistant.

Hunger doesn’t consume me.

The low level background buzz of daily stress goes silent.

I rest when I need to and sprint up the mountain without hesitation.

I think of the future, but its shape is predicated by my absolute focus on the present.

There is a saying in archery to “become the arrow”.

I’ve thought of a parallel concept when going into the wild one must become the wild.

The best example of this in practice is that when it rains in the wild you do not keep wandering through the forest allowing yourself to be soaked. Instead - you sit under a tree and simply wait.

Imagine applying this concept in the ‘real world’ - revolutionary.

I notice my experience of time is vastly different in the wild.

It’s almost not even relevant as the path of the sun is the only clock necessary.

And the only place to be is where I am.

I always expect to have some sort of technological withdrawal, but I always find the opposite to be true.

I don’t want it - which is a critical reminder that I don’t need it.

I notice this effect has some durability upon returning back to ‘real life’ my non-desire to check email, social media, and the news lasts a few days…

Until I break the seal and the dopamine cravings become irresistible.

I think the key to the time in the wild is that you simply do not have access to wifi, Amazon, or Instagram so there is no will power needed.

I’ve been thinking about how to create this same scenario when at home.

I recently saw a meme of a husband and wife laying in bed, both on their phones totally disconnected from each other.

Below that image is the husband holding the side of the bed where his now-deceased wife used to lay beside him.

I can’t remember the exact headline, but I think the image is what really struck me. The searing regret in the husband's eyes was tangible.

I do not want that to be me.

The question I struggle to answer precisely is how to create a similar experience to what I have in the wild.

I essentially check email, orders, ads - any and all things related to wild gym - 7 days per week during all waking hours (assuming I have access to the internet).

Much of this activity is frivolous and I’m wasting my life watching the refresh wheel spin.

I think the fundamental problem is having unlimited access to all these things from a single point.

I want to be able to communicate with friends and family, but I also find the urge to open my email afterwards ‘just in case’ to be irresistible.

Not all hope is lost and I’m confident that I can continue to apply the lessons from the wild to ‘real life’.

These are the strategies I’ve implemented so far:

I leave my phone in the car when my wife and I go out on date nights, or any other events where I want to be 100% focused on the people I’m with.
When I go into nature - I do not use my phone except for taking photos.
In the evening I’ll hide my phone from myself to make it inconvenient to check. It would be very strange if I got up in the middle of dinner, walked upstairs, checked my phone, and then returned to the table 5 minutes later. I find this practice quite useful.

What I plan on implementing ASAP:

No more phones in the bedroom. This used to be my SOP, but I lost my Kindle and allowed my phone to take its place. I love to read before bed, but that can be solved with a Kindle or like-device. (Honestly, my favorite way to read is from an actual book and a red-light headlamp which I’d recommend you try out.)

None of these thoughts would have been possible without the time I spent in the wild.

And remember - you don’t have to be in some epic wilderness to have the same opportunity for self-examination.

Leave your phone at home and go for a Ruck around the block or find a local park or nature trail.

Just make sure you don’t forget the good ideas.

Much love!

-Dan, wild gym founder

You Don't Need It

Reading next