Sarah Dalzell
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The World Through my eyes...
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want you to be happy, practice compassion” - Dalai Lama I’ve been called out. I am strong for myself. I am strong for others. But, I rarely show myself compassion enough to let others be strong for me. I hate admitting that I need support, or that I am not okay, that my strength isn’t enough. But as usual, the universe is brilliant at teaching me a lesson. Time for this pit bull to step down and trust my community to support me in my time of need. #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #exploreBC #britishcolumbiamagazine #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure #postivementalhealth #depression #survivingdepression #yosemite #halfdome“You say you’re ‘depressed’ – all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas It is easy to mask pain and sadness. To strategically present yourself online, isolate to avoid conversation, smile when needed, to walk through your day numbing it all. There doesn’t always have to be a reason for sadness - as I have recently discovered. Emotions are part of the human experience. Hiding my sadness has served me nothing; it has been bottled, had time to fester, and has been reached its maximum solitude. I share not for reaction, this is not a “woe is me”, but a reassurance those in the same boat that taking that step out of isolation, although felt embarrassing and challenging, was worth it. It is okay to feel sad, it is okay to not be okay. Take a moment to reflect on how you can take a step forward every day - who can you connect with you take that step out of isolation. #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #exploreBC #britishcolumbiamagazine #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure #positivementalhealth #depression #mentalhealth #okaytonotbeokay“And one day she Discovered that she was fears, and strong, and full of fire, and they’re not even she could hold her self back because your passion for it brighter than her fears” - Mark Anthony Feeling connected to every part of your being - mind, body, spirit. Strength discovered through vulnerability. @_steve_neufeld_ this one is still my favourite climb🧗🏼♀️ #rockclimbingwomen #rockclimbing #climbsquamish #exploresquamish #girlsclimbing #climbinggirls #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #exploreBC #britishcolumbiamagazine #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure“Vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat, it’s understanding the necessity of both; it’s engaging. It’s being all in” - #brenebrown Just as I climb fully knowing I may fall, I am learning to embrace my own power and potential for growth through vulnerability. Since my brain injury, my ability to regulate my emotions has shifted. I can be quick to cry and feel hurt. Insecurities - whether they are new, or possibly ones I had failed to honour before, have come to the surface. These feelings of “hurt” and “insecure” are new for me, and I began to see these as a weakness, a neediness, a dramatization. But as always, my community has reminded me... To cry is not a weakness - in fact it is a moment of release when I feel strong and balanced. To want share your emotions, is not a weakness, it is brave. To want to feel loved is not a weakness, it is deserved. With shared vulnerability we learn and grow with one another. So, I keep climbing. I keep share. I stay vulnerable and powerful. 🧗🏼♀️🏔 #positivementalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #oktonotbeok #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #exploreBC #britishcolumbiamagazine #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure“A strong woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow as abundantly as her laughter. A strong woman is both soft and powerful, she is both practical and spiritual. A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world.” - Unknown This weekend I took hold of my power, I released a fear... an insecurity that I held onto as a truth. An insecurity written by a previous experience to which I gave my power to another, a power I am taking back. #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #exploreBC #britishcolumbiamagazine #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure #shesinthewild #wildwomansisterhood #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #womeninthewild #vahallakingdom #vancouverisland #explorevancouverisland #lululemon“We love being mentally strong, but we hate situations that allow us to put our mental strength to good use” Mokokoma Mokhonoana This climb was a tough one. Although it was graded at something I would typically be comfortable with leading, the styling and reachy moves made this one a mind game. This climb was about setting my ego aside - taking a moment to slow myself down, remind myself to be methodical, to have trust in myself while at the same time embracing the potential of a fall ... climbing is consistently humbling. #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #washingtonhikersandclimbers #washingtonoutdoors #washington #frenchmancoulee #rockclimbing #girlsthatclimb #leadclimbing #explorewashington #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #liveyouradventure“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” ― A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh A conversation and a laugh with a stranger at the crag resulted in an invite to an amazing thanksgiving dinner “in the wild” - sharing words of gratitude with 39 new friends, all with a shared love of connection, community, adventure, and nature. I was brought to tears by the vulnerability and openness of these amazing people. 📸 @liveadventurework @hotcarlolson #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation #explorewashington #washington #washingtonoutdoors #frenchmancoulee #rockclimbing #climbinggirls #climbing #hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #vantage #washingtonexplored“The more you believed in yourself, the more you could trust yourself. The more you trust yourself, the less you compare yourself to others” Roy T. Bennett Working to trust my inner voice - to speak my truth - and to release fear. #positivementalhealth #edrecovery #mentalhealthawareness #roadstotravel #trekkingtoes #allaboutadventures #adventureenthusiasts #mecnation ##hikingtheglobe #hikevibes #idhikethatcrew #seemorewilderness #pnwescapes #herPNWlife #sheisthewild #wanderwomeninc #merknmountains #Outside_project #beautifuloregon #exploreoregon #oregoncoast“Never underestimate the lingering effects of a dash of spontaneous comfort” Gina Greenlee Confidence can be deceiving. Smiles can hide insecurities. Even the most confident and positive could use a hug every now and then, a reminder of their worth, a note of appreciation. This can be a hard time of year for many so share the love people; catch up with a friend, send a letter, plan a date, make a phone call - be the reminder. #mentalhealth #postivementalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #choosemountains #mecnation #hiking #hikesquamish #explorebcparks #outdoorwomen #peakabove #girlsinthewild #wildwoman #wildernessbabe #wildernessbadass #edrecovery #recovery #wildoutside #trekkingtoes #sheisthewild“Do what you love; you'll be better at it. It sounds pretty simple, but you'd be surprised how many people don't get this one right away” - LL Cool J I had always loved climbing but never had the courage to put myself out there to meet other climbers by myself. A year ago, I took the leap of faith and bought a gym pass for @climb.base5 with the mindset that showing up is the first step... within a few months an amazing group of people took me under their wing. Well, let’s be honest, I climbed with them once and they have been stuck with me ever since! Love and thanks to @_steve_neufeld_ , @tanyahall00 , @chrisgehlen , @knoxwoo , @garykolberg1 and Dougy! These amazing people challenge me and support me, entertain me and put up with me! 🧗🏼♀️ 🏔🥰 #climbing #climbbase5 #leadclimbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #positivementalhealth #lifebalance #climblife #climbbase5coquitlam
Author Archives: sedalzell
Chapter 25: I have a Voice
Chatty. Loquacious. Opinionated However you put it, I was born with the innate ability to talk… a lot. I public speak all day in front of my students, I give workshops around the province to fellow teachers, I will bring … Continue reading
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Chapter 24: A lesson in patience
My Gramma calls me, her ‘Maggie Thatcher” Words to describe Sarah… Loud, a pit bull, independent, educator, adventurer, spirited, a spit fire, stubborn, kind. But, Patient, to those who really know me, patient, has not often been a word used to … Continue reading
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Chapter 23: A lesson taught. A lesson learned
A lesson given as a teacher became a lesson I needed for myself… vulnerability My love of transparency has me admitting that just as the number on the scale once defined me, the number of days purge free became my … Continue reading
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Chapter 22: This sh*t takes work
There will be a time when I will no longer keep track. For now. Each day counts. Each day I learn. 200 days. How did I get to this point? The point where the once knee buckling guilt of a … Continue reading
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Chapter 21: The end. The Beginning. I am happy.
The irony. That it took a period of utter chaos for me to find my balance. That it took existing in darkness for me to find my own light. Honestly, this was not a story I ever thought I’d tell. It was … Continue reading
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Chapter 20: Dear Dictator…
Dear Dictator, Recovery. The bulimic stops a habitual purge. The anorexic eats at every meal. The orthorexic has a treat. There is a common misconception that once an individual with an eating disorder is finally eating regularly, their battle is … Continue reading
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Chapter 19: The Summit
The Summit. The moment you break through the tree line, scramble the last peak, and stand still, breathing in an unobstructed view of a city as it comes to life with the rising sun. The moment in your recovery where … Continue reading
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