There’s something special about saying “yes” to adventure, especially when shared with dear friends. Recently, I found myself in Southern Chile’s lakes and volcanoes region, perched on a bicycle for the first time in 30 years. The occasion marked the celebration of our friends’ collective 240th birthday (!) and our 30th wedding anniversary. As I mentioned in my last newsletter about transitions, I’ve been in a period of professional change, making this journey feel particularly meaningful – a reminder that some of life’s richest moments come from stepping into the unknown together.
On day four, we faced what our guides ominously called the “wall of pain” – a sustained uphill climb that had been looming in my thoughts. My mind raced with doubts: Should I take the shuttle? Could I actually do this? But something remarkable happened in that moment of challenge. Instead of letting anxiety take over, I found what the Danes might recognize as a different kind of hygge – not in the traditional sense of cozy fireplaces and warm beverages, but in the comfort of shared experience and mutual support.
By day six, when faced with an even more daunting climb – nearly nine miles uphill (on a volcano!), two and a half times the “wall of pain” – something had shifted. The fear had given way to anticipation, and the doubt to determination. In those moments of shared challenge and triumph, we weren’t just creating memories; we were weaving our stories together, strengthening bonds that would warm us long after we left the mountain trails.
The reward wasn’t just in the exhilarating descent; it was in the shared glances of accomplishment, the collective joy, and the knowledge that we had pushed our boundaries together. These are the moments that transform friendship into something deeper – shared stories that become part of our collective narrative.
This adventure taught me several lessons that echo beyond the bike trails:
- Be present in the moment; anxiety lives in our thoughts about what’s ahead
- Accept the assist – whether it’s an e-bike’s battery or a friend’s “you can do this”
- Say yes to experiences that stretch you (unless you truly want to say no)
- Trust in yourself, but also in the warmth of shared challenge and triumph
- Create memories that become the stories you’ll tell for years to come
In reflecting on this journey, I’m struck by how hygge isn’t just about physical comfort – it’s about the emotional warmth we find in shared adventures, the courage we draw from each other, and the deep contentment that comes from exploring the unknown together. Sometimes the coziest moments happen not in the familiar comfort of home, but in the excitement of discovering new capabilities surrounded by friends who share in your life and experiences together.
