We’ve all heard it — “trail therapy.” And sure, there’s something deeply healing about getting behind the wheel, leaving the noise behind, and letting the miles roll under your tires.
But I’ve realized something: overlanding doesn’t fix you. It just shows you what needs fixing.
When you’re out there — tired, lost, or frustrated — all your habits, strengths, and shortcomings come right to the surface. Your patience gets tested. Your decision-making gets exposed. Your ego takes a few dings.
But that’s the beauty of it.
Because the trail doesn’t lie.
It won’t validate you. It won’t coddle you. It just reflects who you really are when things don’t go as planned. And when you finally get unstuck, or find camp after dark, or solve a problem with nothing but duct tape and grit — that’s when the real therapy happens.
Not because the trail fixed you… but because it reminded you you’re capable.
Here’s to the road unpaved! – Doug