“There is a past version of you that is so proud of how far you have come.”
Paulo Coelho
Day 61
- Day 61 – Wellington to Picton ; 22 km
Total hiked: 1714 km
Wow. I did it! I conquered one island. Not only that I kind of conquered myself.
Truth be told I started this walk to reset myself. Not just my career and future aspirations but mainly my relationship with myself. I did not start this walk liking myself. While I know that sounds strange to some people if you read that and felt something then you probably get what I mean (and to you I am truly sorry and hope this next part helps).
When I was having a particularly bad day (who am I kidding months) someone asked me what I liked about myself and I couldn’t answer. I liked nothing. I didn’t understand why people would want to talk to me, see me, date me, be friends with me, let alone trust to work alongside me and take my advice. I didn’t like a single thing about myself. Anything good that happened I saw as lucky and anything bad I saw as intentional and my own fault. Nothing seemed worth it anymore. Starting this walk was as much about accomplishing kilometres daily as it was about forcing myself to reset in a new environment. Re-think what I was doing with my life. Try to like myself.
On entering Wellington and trotting through the streets and up Mount Victoria/Tangi Te Keo/Matairangi I remembered walking the same track with N.D almost a year ago. We had just attended Home Grown music festival and were supposed to be enjoying our final day before returning to work. All I really remember of that day was crying. I cried a lot back then. Now it seems almost poetic that on my final day in the North Island, back on this maunga, looking out across Wellington city I am smiling. Soon to reach the end of the island I have a completely different mindset and am actually happy. Whilst talking to myself (its normal I swear) I said aloud “I like me!”. To any passer-by fortunately there were none that would have seemed odd but for me its a pretty big deal. I actually like me!
Carrying on the trot towards Island Bay the rain and wind continued as we climbed up, over and around Mount Alfred and Mount Albert/Ōwairaka/Te Ahi kā a Rakataura along the Southern Walkway.
Throughout the trot I was reminded of a hindu proverb that I learnt from one of my books back when I was trotting in Northland ; Īśvara praṇidhāna – surrender to the universe. It seemed an appropriate theme for my journey so far. How I got started deciding to walk the length of the country, COVID protocols, lockdowns, traffic light systems, border restrictions, injuries, accidents, weather and peoples opinions are all factors that for the most part are out of our control. But as easy as you can let these factors effect you and your decisions, you can also just accept that shit happens and to let it be. Relax. Go with the flow. Surrender to the universe. 🙂
With that in mind the sunny day I had hoped for as I completed the North Island section of Te Araroa became less important than reaching the northern terminus with a smile on my face and surrounded by the people who helped me get here.
The final kilometre of the North Island saw my parents, soaked and wind blown meet N.D and I as we trotted towards Shortland Park and all posed for a photo. I had done it! I had trotted one island of New Zealand/Aotearoa 🙂 better yet I was surrounded by some of the lovely people who had helped get me here!!!
Now just to cross the Cook Strait/Te Moana-o-Raukawa and walk the other island, surely it can’t be that different… well we will see 😉
“The longest relationship of your life is with yourself. Make it a good one.”
Diane Vin Furstenberg
GC Chronicles 
You are so brave Alex! So happy for you 🙂 Yes I am still reading XD
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Thanks Alice 🙂 it really means a lot xx
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What an extremely positive outlook, very well done GO YOU – one Island done!!!
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