Why I strive for mediocrity

I have been watching the Olympics all week and it’s great to see people accomplishing such seemingly impossible tasks. When I went skiing, I fell just standing there. And ice skatin … lets just say I made my way around the rink holding the rail. I can’t fathom skiing down a mountain-side at speeds that I use with my car. Nor can I fathom flinging myself through the air to land on thin blade.

Read about my first time skiing here.

I have never had a competitive spirit. Perhaps that’s one reason I’ve never had a problem with just being mediocre. Or perhaps I new I wasn’t cut out for the Olympics – or to be brain surgeon – or a famous actress – so I didn’t try my hardest to be anything I wanted to be when I was little. I just wanted to be happy, so I never had a problem to simply strive for mediocrity.

When researching and educating myself on starting a blog and how to supplement my income in some ways, I came across a plethora of blogs posts with headlines like “How I made $100,000 in my first year of blogging!” or “Six easy ways to six figures!” Ugh, I just want to live comfortably – preferably in van traveling from national park to national park. So here again is that strive for mediocrity.

In my everyday world people think I’m a badass because I hike, camp, and adventure, and sometimes it’s – gasp – by myself. But in the outdoor world, I’m pretty basic. And I don’t mind being basic. Do you know what it takes to thu-hike the Appalachian Trail or climb Everest?

I don’t mind knowing the limits of my abilities. Sure it’s good to find that line and try to push past it, but sometimes I just want to enjoy nature. And if I’m always working hard and striving for another goal, I might miss some things. It’s good to slow down and simply take in the sights, sounds, and smells. If I strive for mediocrity, then I open myself up for many more experiences.

I find the same to be true in my professional life as a writer. It would be nice to see my byline in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic, but my goal in being an outdoor writer is to simply combine my love for nature and writing. If I get wrapped up in being published in the top national magazines, I lose my focus on what my real goal is. And if that means a life of mediocrity, then I gladly accept that.

But I don’t really see it as mediocrity. If you love your life and what you are doing, are you really mediocre? Society tells us if we aren’t the best of the best we are mediocre or average. But I disagree with society.

Success is measured by you. And if you want to be a stay-at-home-mom or live your life on the road in a van or be an Olympian then do it. As long as you are happy and love what you do you will never be mediocre.