Something Feels Right, But Wrong When I'm in the Woods

I.N.F.K

I.N.F.K

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
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This is more about discussing a mindset rather than a skill, here it goes.

I've been in & out of the woods all my life. By that I mean I may not even step foot in the forest for a year, but eventually I'll go back. When I do go into the woods I always get an unsettling feeling when I'm just wandering about through the woods. While at the same time it just feels right to be in the woods. It's hard to explain really, I'm not exactly on edge while also not comfortable. Am I the only one that has this feeling? Some of you guys seem to be as comfortable and laid back in the woods as you would in your own living room.
 
You are not the only one, trust me.
I grew up in the woods, and feel as comfortable in them as my living room.
But in wild parts of the desert southwest, I get that exact feeling you describe.
 
Given the number of people who have just disappeared without a trace in the National Parks, I'd say that your "feeling" is far from unfounded....
 
It isn't a normal experience for me, but I have felt that way a time or two. Usually, for me, it boiled down to some subconcious remorse for not being at home or at work doing other things that society has trained me to think are expected of me. Certainly not being uncomfortable with my surroundings, just a vague feeling that I should be elsewhere doing something more "productive". It passes though and I enjoy my time in the outdoors.
 
I thoroughly enjoy my time in the woods as well. It could be a natural instinct that is just more prevalent in some. After all mankind use to be very close to nature before we threw a huge wall in between it and us.
 
My time in the outdoors now, as an adult, is usually when accompanied by a group of scouts whom I am responsible for. I am never wholly at ease. There is always a way for one or more of them to die, or be injured, etc.

I feel a bit more comfortable when I am alone, or with my dad, for example (though now with his age, I am more concerned that he will injure his knee etc because he would be like trying to drag a bear out of the woods).

When I am out with my own family, I still have concern, because my boys are only 8 and 4, and you can't really relax in nature with kids that young either.

I have moved back to a place where there are no "woods" within an hour and a half drive. Empty country, but not my idea of "wilderness". A person could very easily get in trouble, as it is scab lands, sand dunes. and sagebrush.

On my own, I feel pretty comfortable, but that hardly ever happens these days.
 
I.N.F.K said:
I thoroughly enjoy my time in the woods as well. It could be a natural instinct that is just more prevalent in some. After all mankind use to be very close to nature before we threw a huge wall in between it and us.
Click to expand...
I think this is a really great point.
 
I feel really connected when out in the woods alone. I like to just stop, stay still, observe all the plants, trees, bugs, wildlife, listen to the sounds, breath in the smells. It just gets me centered again. And leave all the electronic devices in the car.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in work, ego, and all the BS that comes with my daily life. I forget how amazing this planet is. The gifts I have been given are not repayable.
 
You have to give your mind time to shift gears to "woods" speed. Spend a few days in the woods or at a lake cabin and the exact reverse thing happens when I have to go back to town....a sense of not being in synchronization.
 
Its the little hairs on the back of your neck, or the feeling something is watching you that keeps you alive. Its just like being a cop. The day you have no fear is the day its time to quit. Having a healthy respect for the out doors, and knowing that mother nature is bigger than you is not a weakness. Its your ability to recognize that there are inherent dangers, and to be cautious. This doesnt mean you cant unwind, let the breeze brush your face, and get lost in the rhythm of a babbling brook. Having grown up in the southwest ive gone back and seen where a cougar has tracked me, or boots from a very near by hunter. Respect and fear are two different things. :)
 
Something I continually promise myself I won't ever do again - hike out alone, in the dark, in grizzly country. Every time I do it, I tell myself this is crazy, and I'm on a hari trigger till I get back to the truck.

But that's a very specific concern, and not a general unease with being in the woods at all. I've chosen to be there and accept the risks, and despite the above, it's usually where I'm happiest.
 
Man I have the same issue (is that a right word), my record is 8 days alone in the woods. It was eerie as hell, by the end of week I was hallucinating. Not even joking. I started hearing my one voice in the distance, like an echo but with words I never said... My dog was getting the creeps as well, started getting all jumpy and snappy. I slept .44 in hand and one eye open. I also dreamed that I was being hunted like game, that concept carried int my every day life, started setting traps in the trees like in predator (took them down a few days later). every time I let my mind relax a dark image flew through my peripheral vision. The weirdest thing was it was completely silent. No bird song. No animals. On the fifth day I had a minor existential crisis, started questioning my own consciousness (there is a glitch in the matrix!). This is one thing I will never do again.
 
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shanny19 said:
I grew up in the woods, and feel as comfortable in them as my living room.
But in wild parts of the desert southwest, I get that exact feeling you describe.
Click to expand...

I was going to answer that I'm very comfortable in the outdoors, but then the above post made me remember how I've felt in the western deserts. I still like being there, but not fully comfortable. My wife doesn't like deserts much at all. Too much sky. Too much openness. Just doesn't feel right.
 
Having a healthy respect for the out doors, and knowing that mother nature is bigger than you is not a weakness. GREAT POINT!

The longest time in the woods alone was nine days in the Rockies on a survival expedition (by choice of course - which meant great preparation). Never experienced that feeling though the way the OP described. Almost on high alert the whole time anyway due to the area and the circumstances. I think I just blocked it out at the time and it was all about what was next......food, water, fire, shelter, repeat. That was 30 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I saw a mountain lion the 3rd day in and a wolverine later on in the week and it was a scary time up in the high country. Never felt like something wasn't 'right' though. I was actually very aware I was no longer the dominant species. I get the same feeling in the ocean, where we are all basically just food, at some point or the other. I still go spear fishing in Florida every summer but I'm constantly aware I could be the next meal for something larger and more predatory than me.
 
Having a healthy respect for the out doors, and knowing that mother nature is bigger than you is not a weakness. GREAT POINT!

The longest time in the woods alone was nine days in the Rockies on a survival expedition (by choice of course - which meant great preparation). Never experienced that feeling though the way the OP described. Almost on high alert the whole time anyway due to the area and the circumstances. I think I just blocked it out at the time and it was all about what was next......food, water, fire, shelter, repeat. That was 30 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I saw a mountain lion the 3rd day in and a wolverine later on in the week and it was a scary time up in the high country. Never felt like something wasn't 'right' though. I was actually very aware I was no longer the dominant species. I get the same feeling in the ocean, where we are all basically just food, at some point or the other. I still go spear fishing in Florida every summer but I'm constantly aware I could be the next meal for something larger and more predatory than me.
 
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