“Why fit in when you can stand out?”
Having a safe space where you can unapologetically be yourself and explore beyond your wildest dreams, is something that I have always wanted to do.
I never felt like I fitted in and have never been able to be my true self, but British Exploring Society have provided me with opportunities to be able to do that. My expedition was a whirlwind of self-exploration, something that will help me pursue my future goals.
“I wasn’t being told to sit inside the box, and I loved it!”
I had just finished doing the NCS (National Citizen Service) programme in my local area. NCS encourage Young People to make a difference to the local community.
When NCS sent me an email with the opportunity to explore Iceland, on paper, I didn’t have the best track record, being described as someone who was impulsive and had been kicked out of school.
British Exploring Society gave me the opportunity to be myself without judgment, I was more than just a label for the first time in my life. I was able to share my specialist interests with like-minded people and I could channel my impulsivity into exploration. This allowed me to see my diagnosis of autism and ADHD as a positive, because I wasn’t being told to sit inside the box, and I loved it!
My first expedition came with its challenges. I struggle with coordination and would fall over a lot, but my group supported me along the way. It had been a long day, we had walked at best 15km, with heavy rucksacks on, surrounded by bushes. I’d managed to avoid falling over the many rocks and then thump! I fell headfirst into a bush. I just laughed because expedition is always unexpected. I didn’t view it as negative because I had come so far physically and emotionally.
I haven’t had as many falls in Kyrgyzstan, as I have more confidence within my own abilities. I do tend to get distracted and before I realise what I have done I’ve…nope I haven’t fallen over. I walked straight into a bog knee deep, I completely sunk! My peers helped me get out and we all laughed about it, teamwork makes the dream work! Sleeping under the stars with other people was incredibly memorable, the shooting stars soaring through the sky…
“Someone like me who had lost themselves trying to be someone else, never really knew how much they needed time away from the constant pressures of society…”
This was a whirlwind of self-exploration, going somewhere you’ve only ever seen on a map. I never thought I would have the opportunity to go on two amazing expeditions. Someone like me who had lost themselves trying to be someone else, never really knew how much they needed time away from the constant pressures of society.
I have become a lot more determined after expedition. Even if I don’t get the result I want straight away, I try again and again.
Nearing the end of my time on expedition in Kyrgyzstan, we had been given the opportunity to go solo camping, something I had never done before! I took the opportunity to challenge myself, Nervous but exited, I set of! After a short walk, I found a place to camp. I took out the tent and started putting it up, except it kept on falling. I tried again, ugh no, that’s not right. An hour and a half later, I had finally managed to put it up successfully.
When I come across a challenge that I think I can’t do, I now problem solve and think of ways I can complete the challenge.
