“It’s either a lot of Fun, or it’s a great story.”
& sometimes it’s both!
The importance of Type 2 Fun
We all know Type 1 fun - it's enjoyable in the moment, purely pleasurable, and often involves things like lounging on a beach, a delicious meal, or a chill evening with friends. No complaints there!
But then there's Type 2 fun. It's challenging, it's uncomfortable, and sometimes, frankly, it downright sucks in the moment. Pushing through a steep hike, enduring a freezing cold ski tour, or tackling a complex project with a tight deadline.
Yet, despite some discomfort, Type 2 fun is often the most rewarding kind. It's the stories we tell, the experiences we cherish, and the ones that truly help us grow.
A downpour on the trail? Aching muscles after a long bike ride? These transform into badges of honour. What felt like a struggle in the moment becomes a hilarious anecdote, a testament to our resilience, or a source of deep satisfaction. It's the "remember when we thought we wouldn't make it?" kind of memory that binds us to our companions and to our own capabilities.
Type 2 fun pushes us to step outside our comfort zones. It demands perseverance when we want to quit, and it teaches us that we are capable of more than we think. Each time we push through a challenge that isn't immediately enjoyable, we build resilience. We develop the mental fortitude to face setbacks, adapt to adversity, and keep going when things get tough. These are skills that translate directly into every other aspect of our lives.
Not to mention the special bonds. When we've collectively faced a challenge, whether it's a long training run, a difficult climb, or even just a particularly rough day at work, we forge a unique connection. There's a shared understanding, a mutual respect, and often, a lot of laughter about the absurdity of it all. These shared experiences can lead to the strongest friendships and the most vivid memories.
True growth rarely happens within the confines of comfort. Challenging experiences are where we discover what we’re truly made of. That feeling of reaching the summit after a relentless climb, or successfully completing a project you thought was impossible, is incredibly empowering.
So here is your invitation to join Wild Vedas on a 3 day Backpacking Retreat. It is seems more like a challenge than a good time, consider leaning into it. You might just find that the most profound joy comes not from the easy path, but from the one that makes you work for it. We would love to have you.
Nicki is Founder of Wild Vedas & Lead Guide - a clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Teacher Trainer & Hiking Guide. She has been guiding transformative outdoor journeys since 2011.
Growing up in Australia, her career has had her living in New Zealand, the UK, Bali and now Canada, as well has having guided numerous programs across Asia and South America. She has held space for thousands of journeys of self reflection, awareness and growth using nature and community as mirrors back to ourselves. Nicki's programs prioritise playfulness, community, authenticity, and a deep curiosity for self-discovery, connection with others, and exploration of the world around us.
