Hike Your Own Hike: The Quiet Rebellion of Doing Life Your Way

On the Appalachian Trail, there’s a simple phrase hikers live by: Hike Your Own Hike.

It means don’t measure your journey by someone else’s. Don’t compare your miles, your gear, your pace. The only “right” way to hike is the way that’s right for you.

I’ve realized it’s not just trail wisdom—it’s life wisdom. Because out here, too, it’s so easy to look around and feel like you’re behind. Someone else is more successful, more put-together, more ahead. You see their highlight reels and think you’re not measuring up.

But here’s the truth: comparison is a thief. It takes joy from where you are and trades it for a race you didn’t even sign up for. And I’ll be honest—I’ve fallen into that trap more than once. I’ve rushed my steps, tried to “catch up,” and ended up exhausted chasing someone else’s version of success. The Tao Te Ching put it simply: “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” That’s the heart of it. Respect—real respect—starts within.

The courage is in doing it your way—even if it looks slower, messier, or completely different from everyone else’s. Hike Your Own Hike is more than advice; it’s a quiet rebellion. It’s permission to stop chasing the life you’re “supposed” to live and start living the one that’s yours.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about keeping up. It’s about staying true to the path only you can walk. And that path? It’s worth every step.