If you love what we do, please consider “buying us a coffee” to help us fund our endeavour of helping New Zealander’s get outdoors! All donations go towards the running of NZFA.
For some of us, disconnecting from technology and the online world can be extremely difficult. This constant connection has become a real barrier in our everyday lives. There’s a sense of discomfort or even panic when we lose signal or when our device drops below an acceptable level of connectivity or battery life, leaving us feeling lost or unsettled.
Imagine this scenario: It’s night time, and after a longer-than-expected tramp, you return to your vehicle, only to find that it won’t start. You reach for your phone, but there’s no signal, and then it dies due to a low battery. In that moment, how would you feel? The pressure of life’s challenges would quickly overwhelm most people – thoughts like, “How will my loved ones know where I am?” or “Why am I late?” would flood your mind. “What’s happened? How will I get help without my phone?” It’s a tough situation to navigate.
Today, many of us have become so reliant on technology to solve our problems that we’ve lost the ability to think critically for ourselves. Technology allows us to bypass the problem-solving process, moving directly from a problem to a solution without considering the steps or thought process involved.
Spending time outdoors offers an excellent opportunity to break this cycle and work through the discomfort of being disconnected. A classic example of this is building a campfire from scratch. No amount of Googling can replace the hands-on experience of gathering dry firewood, knowing where to find it, and preparing it in the right size bundles. Tinder is needed to ignite the fire, and careful consideration must be given to the fire’s location, taking into account wind and moisture. There’s nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment when your fire takes hold, providing warmth and a way to cook your dinner. A device cannot replicate that feeling.
Outdoor experiences are full of moments that challenge us and push us outside of our comfort zones. It may sound strange, but the reward of overcoming these hurdles is deeply fulfilling. Whether it’s setting up a tent on your own, building a shelter to cook under when you predict rain, or fixing a broken piece of equipment to keep your camp going, these small victories can teach us a lot. In the fast-paced world we live in, those who can slow down and work through problems step-by-step are often seen as calm and composed. While it might take a bit longer to find a solution, the sense of wellbeing and satisfaction that comes with it is immeasurable.
People often ask me why I camp in bad weather or freezing temperatures. For me, it’s a way to challenge myself and overcome obstacles, to test my resilience and, ultimately, to feel accomplished. Next time you’re faced with an uncomfortable challenge, try to take it one step at a time. Test the ground ahead of you, and you’ll likely find that overcoming the obstacle feels incredibly rewarding.
We are always happy to help with all of your camping questions! Feel free to contact us on our Facebook group HERE and ask for Jono.
If you love what we do, please consider “buying us a coffee” to help us fund our endeavour of helping New Zealander’s get outdoors! All donations go towards the running of NZFA.
Happy adventuring!
Jono & Chloe
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