4 Things You Learn During A Week In The Desert
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

4 Things You Learn During A Week In The Desert

The hot temperatures and sandy landscape will bring a lot more out of you than just sweat.

235
4 Things You Learn During A Week In The Desert
Wikimedia Commons

Most people don't think of the desert as an ideal spring break location, but for me the desert and the nature contained within it were exactly what I was looking for this past break. I signed up for an alternative spring break trip to Lake Mead through the volunteering office on campus, not knowing what exactly to expect, but I learned so much about the world and about myself out in the desert. Here are the things I learned.

1. Being (mostly) disconnected from everyone allows you to reflect and decide who is important in your life.

As one can imagine, there isn't much service out in the desert. Taking the time to yourself to be technologically silent is beyond refreshing. It allows you to reflect on the flow of your life and decide who deserves a place in it because you're away from your normal environment and can look at the situations and relationships in your life objectively.

2. Water is life.

On my last evening at Lake Mead, I went with my group to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center. We watched a movie about the area that interviewed various people, one of whom was a full-blooded Mojave Indian for whom the Lake Mead area is a spiritual Mecca of sorts. He said "Water is life. It does not discriminate but does its job to provide life for the area." Hearing him say that kind of brought me to a spiritual place because I thought about how water makes up over 70% of our bodies. The same water that composes us gives life to other beings. How remarkable is that? It was hard for me to be worried about all the work and assignments that I needed to do after I got home because all I could think about was how small all of those things were in comparison with our connection to the environment around us.

3. You can't stop yourself from making friends when you're stuck with the same people for a week.

I signed up for this trip just assuming that I would go, push through it, and come home. I didn't think that I would be so close to the other 13 people that went on the trip. From the very get-go, I began making connections more easily than if I had actually tried. These people were normal, down-to-earth college students who had all signed up to take this trip for various reasons. I think the biggest lesson I learned because of this was that the truest friends you'll make are the ones you didn't even try for. During this week together, we experienced so many life-changing things that it bonded us forever. We didn't have to try to get people to like us. We just existed. And that's what is so beautiful about stepping out of your comfort zone.

4. If you're hungry enough, you'll eat anything.

I am a historically picky eater. Because of this, I knew that the trip might be difficult for me. We would eat breakfast in the morning, pack sandwiches for lunch, and then cook over a camp stove in the evening. The breakfast offerings were either fruit or oatmeal. Because I don't really eat fruit, I chose to try oatmeal for the first time and fell in love with it. I had been opposed to oatmeal my entire life, so this decision to try it had surprised me even more than my parents, who were in disbelief when I told them. A similar decision that I made was to try mac and cheese for the first time, with similar results. When you're out in the desert, you don't know when your next meal will be, so you just kind of take whatever you can whenever you can. You're simply appreciative to have something to eat. I think everyone should spend a week like that in the desert. It helps you be more content with all of the things you normally take for granted.

Overall, I recommend a trip like this to anyone because it is one of the most valuable experiences I've ever had. I learned so much about myself and it really reinforced what I want out of life. If ever given the chance to drop everything and go to the desert, do it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45917
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29073
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953486
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160300
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments