This Artsy Life

This Artsy Life. Finding Ourselves in Yosemite

With worries over the health of my mom, close friends, and myself ( I checked out fine, whew! ), it’s been an emotional summer.  Not really the carefree season of years gone by.  So Mr. F and I were really looking forward to unplugging and spending a week camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park.  An escape to staggering beauty could not have come at a better time.

This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark

Simply taking time away from work, social media, and just the stress of every day life will have a renewing effect, but to be surrounded by an incomparable natural landscape, incredible in its beauty and yet struggling for its own survival, definitely puts everything into a new perspective.

This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark

These getaways allow for a resting of the mind and soul and an opportunity for Mr. F and I to really reflect individually and as a partnership on where we are and where we would like to be.  Clarity comes, decision making is easier without distraction and passion for beloved pursuits are reawakened and reinforced.  Every morning in Yosemite, we were awake with the dawn ( and sometimes before! ) excited for the adventure and inspiration the day would bring.  Why can’t we rise to great each day as if there is adventure and discovery waiting?

This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark

This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark

We would lay our heads down each night and look up at the stars, exhausted yet satisfied that we’d taken full advantage of the day we’d been given.

This Artsy Life: Finding Ourselves in Yosemite #travel #outdoors #yosemitenationalpark

By the end of our trip, we’d made goals for changes we’d like to see in our lives, a backing off from invasive technology and a renewed focus on physical, mental, and spiritual health.  I personally came away incredibly inspired to dive deeper into painting and can’t wait to work through the amazing amount of artistic stimulation that I’ve felt since stepping foot onto Yosemite’s sacred ground.

All images by Artsy Forager.

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  • kristaphee
    September 8, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    My heart goes out to you – and I find myself in much the same situation. I am happy you were able to disconnect with your daily life and to reconnect with your inner core. I think it’s important to listen to the cues given to us and to respond. I am sure you have returned from your adventure feeling renewed and more able to handle that which the Universe give you. I hope you and your Mom are doing better!

    My significant other and I did much the same thing this summer, only we spent our time in Yellowstone and the Tetons. He is an attorney who lives in the big city and I have just finished a degree I started 40 years ago. We have a year ahead of us of my moving to a new city/county, getting married, deciding where we want to spend the rest of our lives together after retirement. In otherwords, pretty much our i whole lives are in flux. We both found that our time together in the wilderness gave us time to reflect and focus on what is really important. I am sure you can identify.

    Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s nice to know that there are others going through such life changes. Take care.

    • Artsy Forager
      September 8, 2014 at 2:24 PM

      Thank you, Kristaphee! I’m doing just fine– had to go through a few scary tests, but all is well. My mom is struggling but hanging in and I’m planning to go back to Florida to be with her soon. We spent some similar time in Yellowstone & Glacier a few years ago and it remains one of our favorite memories. I wish you & your betrothed all the best in your coming plans! A wide open future can be scary, but equally exciting, especially when by the side of someone you love!