Defining Physical Exertion: A Journey Through Africa and Self-Awareness

I recently returned from a long, joyful trip to East Africa with my sister—and 28 new friends! Our adventure was filled with remarkable experiences, stunning vistas, and an abundance of wildlife. The trip offered so many vivid memories that I continue to have flashes of them throughout my day: the charming, often comical sound of hippos communicating, the radiant sunsets, the graceful silhouette of Acacia trees, and the awe-inspiring sight of a herd of elephants marching across the Serengeti. These moments were more than I could have ever imagined, leaving me in a state of awe, joy, and wonder.

While I had always dreamed of seeing animals in their natural habitat, qualifying it as a true "bucket list" experience, I wasn’t prepared for the physical toll of the journey. Riding for hours in a safari jeep across incredibly bumpy roads was a form of physical exertion I had never anticipated.

As someone who prides herself on being fit, flexible, and mobile, I was surprised by how demanding it was on my body. The constant rattling and jostling left me with severe neck pain after just a few days. Yet, while I struggled, others on the trip seemed relatively unbothered by the physical demands but mentioned how challenging it was to wake up early every day.

This experience made me reflect on how individualized physical challenges are. Each of us has different thresholds for what our bodies can handle, and these thresholds change over time. What might be effortless for one person can be deeply taxing for another. This trip became a wonderful invitation to rethink what it means to be "physically fit" and to embrace the uniqueness of our bodies.

Through this experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for the miracle of the human body—its ability to adapt, its limitations, and even the aches and pains that emerge as we navigate life. I was reminded of the importance of honoring our bodies, understanding our limits, and celebrating the wisdom that comes from paying attention to what we need to thrive.