Rewilding myself - Letter from the Founder

The More You Love, The Bigger Your Heart Gets

I have just gotten back from a five-day hike in New Zealand. I have never done anything like this before. The longest hike I had been on was four hours, five years ago, but it was something I always wanted to do, if I could only get the time off work, if I could only secure care for my daughter, if I could only have someone to go with to take the edge off the extreme conditions of hiking with everything you need on your back for the better half of the week. And then suddenly, it all lined up. So, what is a girl to do?

There was something calling me about just walking on foot for miles and miles, only stopping to eat, rest, swim, make love, or simply stare at the enchanted creations of Mother Nature. I was craving the silence and extreme peace that comes with realigning your vibration to the earth, no technology, no notifications, no dysregulation, nothing to prove to anyone but myself.

So there I was, a backpack full of brand-new and untested gear, a paper map, and my partner in crime. We had no bookings or expectations; we were completely fluking it. Over the next five days, we would ration our pre-prepared dehydrated meals and naughty treats and hike over mountains, across valleys, through waterfalls, and under canopies of out-of-proportion bonsai forests that had us feeling like tiny hobbits.

Through the surreal and ever-changing landscapes, one thought remained consistent: I cannot believe I am doing this. Two years ago, I was navigating a long and complicated miscarriage amidst a separation. My world fell apart in every way, and after bleeding for 70 days, my body was so frail I could barely walk to the other side of the room. That initiation hit me like a train, leaving my body, mind, and spirit in smithereens. And now, here I was, hiking mountains, tears streaming down my cheeks from the pain, yet with the biggest smile on my face because I had never done anything so hard but so rewarding in my entire life, apart from giving birth.

I could not believe how seamlessly my body operated out in nature, even under extreme conditions. Postpartum has had its delights, but it has also, at times, left me feeling vulnerable, weak, scattered, and a bit depressed, inevitable byproducts of prolonged mental load and lack of nourishment. But suddenly, I was strong, resourceful, and capable, with a relentless sunny disposition. If the hike gave me one thing, it was proof that there was nothing wrong with my soul or its physical incarnation. When I am out in nature, everything is fine, euphoric even. It is only when the realities of the modern world hit that they weigh me down, and rightly so. The expectation for humans to function properly in a synthetic and disjointed world is increasingly bizarre to me.

But back to the hike.

Every step forward led into a new and unimaginable landscape. You would think that after setting up camp, brushing our teeth (if we still had any water left), and hobbling into bed, we would fall asleep under any conditions. Instead, my mind was racing, trying to come to terms with all the beauty I had witnessed throughout the day. There is something about being on foot and slowing down that magnifies the beauty of nature. It felt as though it would not be possible to catch a sickness or experience any of the ailments of everyday life; nature just would not allow it.

I would joke to my partner, when we were running out of snacks and stamina after days without proper sleep, that we would be fine because we would just absorb the prana from the earth. But honestly, that is the only thing that makes sense with how we were able to continue powering on with limited resources.

I am finding it almost impossible to articulate all that I experienced on this big adventure. All I can say is that I have explored almost every alternative medicine and modality in an attempt to heal, feel closer to Spirit, and understand my purpose in this world, yet nothing has quite hit the spot the way this immersive experience in nature did. My brain is already buzzing with ideas on how to gather with women and undertake a similar journey, but for now, I wanted to share some of the practical things that made it easier, should you feel like exploring on your own.

The How

It was in our best interest for our packs to be as light as possible, and with that came a fine line between completely roughing it and bringing along some simple luxuries to increase comfort and stamina. For me, if my body feels relatively clean and comfortable, I can go on forever. So when thinking about what to take with me to protect my skin against the harsh conditions, I could not be more grateful for our Finger Lime Serum and Konjac Sponge. Between them, I was able to cleanse the dirt off throughout the day and soothe blemishes, burns, and abrasions all over my body.

Apart from my lush but extremely practical skincare, I have created a list of the basics here. It includes all the essentials, as well as my one-stop shop for almost all my clothing and gear needs from the carbon-neutral brand, Zorali.

Over the five days, we hiked for six to eleven hours a day, depending on energy levels and where we could find the next campsite. We took the Routeburn Track and added on half of the Greenstone-Caples Track. There are three options for getting to and from the track: private car, an organised shuttle, or hitchhiking. We took the bus there, but while on the hike, we decided to change our route and try our luck hitchhiking out.

I had never hitched before, and while it is not to say you cannot hitchhike as a woman, it was something I had never felt safe to do on my own. We reached the end of the track to find we had just missed a shuttle by 15 minutes. Seven hours later, on a very quiet road, when we were almost ready to give up and book an extremely expensive taxi, a car finally drove past and offered us a lift. The journey was about three hours, and we ended up stopping for a burger together before being dropped straight to our door.

We joked that we needed the inconvenience of waiting around for a lift because, while physically demanding, the rest of our experience had flowed so seamlessly, with teamwork like a well-oiled machine. But ending the trip in this way affirmed what I had long suspected but was yet to concretely prove: we are blessed and protected.

Prior to this experience, I had never felt my body at such a medicinal level of contentment. But now that I have tasted it, I want to know how to find my way back there.

And so begins the journey of rediscovering the peace we feel in nature, yet somehow integrating it into the present world. This, to me, is the driving force behind rewilding the beauty industry and everything we aim to create at INBLUEM.

My Packing List for a Multi-Day Hike

Bringing the right gear can make or break your experience. Here’s what I packed to stay comfortable, protected, and energised:

• Shelter & Sleeping:

• Tent (Zorali)

• Tent footprint (Zorali)

• Sleeping bag (Zorali)

• Sleeping mat (Zorali)

• Inflatable pillow (Zorali)

• Pump & Light (Zorali)

• Clothing:

• Hiking boots (Merrell)

• Sandals (Zorali)

• Puffer jacket (Zorali)

• Long loose pants (Zorali)

• Short loose pants (Zorali)

• Long tights

• Thermal (Zorali)

• Singlet (Zorali)

• Raincoat

• Swimmers

• Face & neck fabric shield

• Sunglasses

• Beanie (Zorali)

• Socks & toe socks

• Gear & Essentials:

• Hiking backpack (Osprey)

• Blister wool

• First aid kit

• Water filter

• Camel pack

• Natural insect repellent

• Head torch

• Portable battery

• Film camera

• Notebook & pen

• Deck of cards

• Skincare & Wellness:
  
  

  

• Finger Lime Serum & Konjac Sponge (INBLUEM)

• Zinc

• Sunscreen

• Lip balm

• Heat rub (Dr. Bronner’s peppermint balm)

• Food & Cooking:

• 16 vegetarian dehydrated meals (zip-locked for travel)

• Celtic salt & pepper

• Gas bottle for cooking

• Cups, bowls & cutlery

• Flint & steel

• Matches & lighter