So my family right now seems convinced I must be sick.

We, boyfriend and I, have ourselves a tiny little tent camper trailer. My family is unimpressed. My share of the money spent they say means I must be manic. The fact I want to spend time camping and kayaking is only further proof to them I am not making appropriate decisions. They figure it is risk taking behaviour. They are city people who can't fathom why I would want to do so. I must then be off my rocker. I need to seek psychiatric help they are suggesting. Besides, they say, I am too old (51) to be venturing into the woods and mountains.

So my question then: are there things you do, decisions you make, that cause concern for your friends and family? Are they overly concerned about your stability to the point they question everything you do? What sets them off? And finally, what is it about you they refuse or fail to understand?

For example, my family refuses to accept that the outdoors are part of my fiber; that unless it is in my life I will never truly be healthy.

I am sorry they are over-reacting to the situation this way. 51 is in no way "too old" to be out and about in nature(!!)

To answer your question... all it takes for commentary is talking too fast or too much. Who knows what it would take for action in the form of actual help. Aaah to have a happy medium between your situation and mine, eh? Too little or too much...interference. We want what's juuuust right. Well, that'd be nice anyway...

I hope you enjoy your camper and your outdoor adventures!

Have you always been a nature gal? I just posted in another thread I've known 90 year olds that ski (better than me!) and hike. Later in the season I participate in some trail magic and I've met 60 year olds that are thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and have already done over 1,500 miles, it's pretty awesome.

Everyone I have regular contact with right now is pretty clueless. My family won't really notice I'm manic until I'm at the point of needing IP, and my friends just say "I think you need a swig of NyQuil" Yes, they've actually said that. And that's after I pass the fun "let's have an orgy at sunrise on Mt. Marcy!" phase.

Thanks, and I plan to. We've already planned some excursions together and some solo adventures too (won't that make them squirm).

You are right about a happy medium because it sure would be nice to know they would be supportive at a time we truly were sick and crashing.

[Fuzzybear]

Too old at 51... strange opinions

[SeekerSeeking]

Sounds like your family may have never been too supportive. Perhaps, they cannot see out of their city bubble. If they can’t do it—they can’t.

But that need not stop you from being who you are—and enjoying life. So do it!!

My family never understood me—and that’s okay because I made peace with it. When I was around 14, I over heard my worst abuser tell my father that she thought I’d grow up to be an axe murderer. And HE AGREED!!! Lol…

I knew right then that they had no clue who I really was—and I was so going to disappoint them when I didn’t become an axe murderer 😉

Fifty-one is young. Enjoy every minute of it!

[Fuzzybear]

[Travelinglady]

I'm glad my family is not that way. I'm sorry yours is. Sounds like fun to me as long as you have money to survive and live like that.

Poor city slickers....

[Ralau]

I think your family is overreacting. 51 is definitely not too old for that. Keep doing what makes you happy.

There are hobbies that are more risky and unhealthy than yours.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm 52 and preparing to go camping this summer, so nope, not too old.

My husband and daughter have seen me go through the worst of it. They are more concerned if I really start going overboard, and draft everyone nearby to do stuff for hours on end. They usually remind me to breathe and calm down.

[Wild Coyote]

I can't imagine your age is "too old!"

I have a 68 y.o. friend living in a very rural cabin without running water, no heating system and an old outhouse 24/7, 365 -- through snowy winters, etc. Her only source of heat is an old woodstove. She cooks on the woodstove or with an outdoor grill. She LOVES it and has regained her self-confidence through this adventure. In the meantime, almost everyone was telling her she'd lost her mind. I've seen very positive changes in her via this experience. She doesn't plan on living this way forever; yet, had enough insight to follow her own intuition on what's best for her!

You know what types of experiences will enrich your life, too!
Go for it and Enjoy!


WC

[pirilin]

I know people that are too old at 25 and people that are too young at 68. That one I know well. I've been living in his twisted mind for that long. I'll never grow up. Or old.

Problem with me is I like to go fast. Really fast. As in 200mph fast. In sportbikes.
Only those that have ran out of throttle at 175, know frustrating it can be.
Only those who have accomplish 200, know how rewarding it feels.
I was a camper too. When the kids were growing up. Always roughing it in a motorhome, but camping at the end.
Good luck too you. Go get'em. Have lots of fun.

[Quebec01]

Thanks for this post. I can relate to this. When I get more activated and finally dynamic, they don't like it. When I am depressed and answer their 3 questions and let them do the talking for over 30 min. while I doodle, they tell me I sound so much better. I feel dead inside but I am supposed to be okay like that. I know they care but I hate the way I feel.

Lucky you, there are things that make you feel alive and motivated towards a goal. Enjoy your camping vacation.

[Tucson]

I do not have a family, but my friend never gives me any problems, or misjudge me. Now I have some interesting adventures to talk about. There is still time for me to make for more adventures.

[amicus_curiae]

I always say that I was a backpacker but the truth is that I was much more a mountaineer and whitewater kayak freak. My last Eskimo roll in a keeper hole was two years before I lost my legs.

Oh, to be young again, and healthy enough to survive. I could have made a career in the outdoors: But I was convinced, by friends, that it wasn’t a real occupation. One of my earliest regrets.

Paddle on.

[Faltering]

My family is quite the opposite. They're mostly unconcerned. They view bipolar symptoms as just stress.