Levison Wood
Surviving Isolation

These are unprecedented times. All of us across the globe are experiencing changes in our day to day lives. Some are finding it easier than others. I believe there are some tips and ideas that can help guide us all through these times of uncertainty and worry. I have made it my career over the past decade to be an explorer. I have travelled to over 100 countries. Many of my expeditions have been long distance walking trips often with a travel companion, friend or guide. However, I’ve spent a lot of time travelling alone too with little more than my own patter of footsteps for company. I have had my fair share of self-imposed isolation and so perhaps have a few tips and ideas about how to get through these strange times.

Be a friend to yourself

When on expeditions and often on my own I have to look after myself. You need to make sure that you are fit and well and ready for what is ahead of you. Give yourself a break, get some rest and eat well so that you’re physically and emotionally prepared to deal with the hard times. If you’re home alone then it’s time to unfurl the yoga mat and dust off the dumbbells and get ripped. No excuses left!

Travel, in your own home

It’s a great opportunity to get into some travel books, films and research. We live in a time where everything is at our fingertips. Plan that future trip. Read that great book about an adventure in a foreign land. Watch that film you’ve been saving. Write about your last adventure. There are other ways to travel than just getting on a train, bus or plane. And if you’re really stuck then there’s always A Journey Around My Room by Xavier de Maistre, a journal about the authors 42 days in isolation as a result of a duel (One assumes his opponent came off worse).

Be considerate to those around you

While away on expeditions or adventures there are going to be tough and testing times. You are also going to be in very close contact with your team and travel companions. More than in everyday life you need to be considerate and emotionally intelligent. The tick that usually doesn’t wind your mate up, may be incredibly frustrating after months of hiking without much food and sleep. If you’re stuck inside with a roommate give them some time alone or make sure you’re doing your fair share of the cleaning up and cooking.

Phone a friend

Sometimes while away you get the chance to communicate with the outside world. That could be getting Wi-Fi in a hotel, getting some mobile service or using your satellite phone. Reaching out and talking to a friend or relative can give you (and them) some much needed morale. In these times of marvellous tech why not use it to your advantage. I got involved in an online pub quiz a few nights ago, organised by a friend. Why not reach out to old travelling buddies- people you haven’t seen in years- you might rekindle an old friendship. How about even writing a letter? Go old school and try and remember how to use a pen and paper (as long as you wear gloves) There are ways to socialise without putting anyone at risk.

Have a routine and stick to it

While on my trips the logistics have usually been carefully managed so I know when to get up, how many miles I need to walk and where I will be hopefully spending the night. You can’t just get into the habit of waking up whenever, walking off with no direction or location in mind and hope that the trip will be a success. Now is a good time to work on new routines; start that healthy eating plan or get in the habit of doing half an hour each day of learning a new language or doing an online course. There’s loads of odd jobs to do around the house, things you’ve been putting off for ages so go and do them. I’ll be focusing for the next few weeks on fitness and writing- I’ve always wanted to write a novel, so now is the time!

Be grateful and look for the little wins

Sometimes when I have been out on my own on a long and arduous trek it has become monotonous and mentally taxing and my thoughts have turned negative; when is this going to end, my feet aren’t going to survive this, what am I doing it all for? It’s moments like these where I try and look for things to be grateful for and little wins to spur me on. Grateful for the chocolate bar at the bottom of my bag, seeing a little win when the weather changes in my favour. When times get tough there’s always a chance to try and find a silver lining and remind ourselves that things could be worse. Let’s focus on what we have, what we can do and that there are those having a harder time of it.

Remember the why

Months into an expedition there comes the wall. Some moment where I stop and think, ‘I can’t do this anymore’. It is at this time that I go back to my why. Why did I want to embark on this, why did I choose this career, why am I putting myself through this ordeal? You need a strong reason why, underlying your drive for those difficult moments. Having a purpose and bigger picture to go to when our will is running low can be very important throughout life. I hope this helps from my perspective as an explorer. Everything is temporary and things will change so keep your head up, stay safe and healthy and look after one another.

Levison Wood
Explorer, Writer & Photographer
@Levison.wood
@levisonwood
www.levisonwood.com
www.blackmanemedia.com

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Levison Wood
Surviving Isolation

These are unprecedented times. All of us across the globe are experiencing changes in our day to day lives. Some are finding it easier than others. I believe there are some tips and ideas that can help guide us all through these times of uncertainty and worry. I have made it my career over the past decade to be an explorer. I have travelled to over 100 countries. Many of my expeditions have been long distance walking trips often with a travel companion, friend or guide. However, I’ve spent a lot of time travelling alone too with little more than my own patter of footsteps for company. I have had my fair share of self-imposed isolation and so perhaps have a few tips and ideas about how to get through these strange times.

Be a friend to yourself

When on expeditions and often on my own I have to look after myself. You need to make sure that you are fit and well and ready for what is ahead of you. Give yourself a break, get some rest and eat well so that you’re physically and emotionally prepared to deal with the hard times. If you’re home alone then it’s time to unfurl the yoga mat and dust off the dumbbells and get ripped. No excuses left!

Travel, in your own home

It’s a great opportunity to get into some travel books, films and research. We live in a time where everything is at our fingertips. Plan that future trip. Read that great book about an adventure in a foreign land. Watch that film you’ve been saving. Write about your last adventure. There are other ways to travel than just getting on a train, bus or plane. And if you’re really stuck then there’s always A Journey Around My Room by Xavier de Maistre, a journal about the authors 42 days in isolation as a result of a duel (One assumes his opponent came off worse).

Be considerate to those around you

While away on expeditions or adventures there are going to be tough and testing times. You are also going to be in very close contact with your team and travel companions. More than in everyday life you need to be considerate and emotionally intelligent. The tick that usually doesn’t wind your mate up, may be incredibly frustrating after months of hiking without much food and sleep. If you’re stuck inside with a roommate give them some time alone or make sure you’re doing your fair share of the cleaning up and cooking.

Phone a friend

Sometimes while away you get the chance to communicate with the outside world. That could be getting Wi-Fi in a hotel, getting some mobile service or using your satellite phone. Reaching out and talking to a friend or relative can give you (and them) some much needed morale. In these times of marvellous tech why not use it to your advantage. I got involved in an online pub quiz a few nights ago, organised by a friend. Why not reach out to old travelling buddies- people you haven’t seen in years- you might rekindle an old friendship. How about even writing a letter? Go old school and try and remember how to use a pen and paper (as long as you wear gloves) There are ways to socialise without putting anyone at risk.

Have a routine and stick to it

While on my trips the logistics have usually been carefully managed so I know when to get up, how many miles I need to walk and where I will be hopefully spending the night. You can’t just get into the habit of waking up whenever, walking off with no direction or location in mind and hope that the trip will be a success. Now is a good time to work on new routines; start that healthy eating plan or get in the habit of doing half an hour each day of learning a new language or doing an online course. There’s loads of odd jobs to do around the house, things you’ve been putting off for ages so go and do them. I’ll be focusing for the next few weeks on fitness and writing- I’ve always wanted to write a novel, so now is the time!

Be grateful and look for the little wins

Sometimes when I have been out on my own on a long and arduous trek it has become monotonous and mentally taxing and my thoughts have turned negative; when is this going to end, my feet aren’t going to survive this, what am I doing it all for? It’s moments like these where I try and look for things to be grateful for and little wins to spur me on. Grateful for the chocolate bar at the bottom of my bag, seeing a little win when the weather changes in my favour. When times get tough there’s always a chance to try and find a silver lining and remind ourselves that things could be worse. Let’s focus on what we have, what we can do and that there are those having a harder time of it.

Remember the why

Months into an expedition there comes the wall. Some moment where I stop and think, ‘I can’t do this anymore’. It is at this time that I go back to my why. Why did I want to embark on this, why did I choose this career, why am I putting myself through this ordeal? You need a strong reason why, underlying your drive for those difficult moments. Having a purpose and bigger picture to go to when our will is running low can be very important throughout life. I hope this helps from my perspective as an explorer. Everything is temporary and things will change so keep your head up, stay safe and healthy and look after one another.

Levison Wood
Explorer, Writer & Photographer
@Levison.wood
@levisonwood
www.levisonwood.com
www.blackmanemedia.com

Previous article

Next article