Post Trail Depression vlog style ✨ AT 2023 

Big life moments come with some level of depression once they are over. This was such a huge accomplishment for you. I am not surprised you are struggling. Hang in there! I'm sure you will start to feel like yourself again soon.

Yes, please keep volging. Life is full of change and learning to find peace in the midst of change sometimes must be learned. It is a process. I think that is what you are showing us as you walk this new walk. Thank you!

Hugs! Adrenalin dump/recovery is normal after completing a big challenge.

Once again you are showing us the courage you have. Not an easy topic to put out there. Nice to see you got a lot of support from this online community.

Great job on the video! It’s a really important subject that doesn’t get discussed often enough.

I really miss your daily vlogs, so it was nice to see this one! I cannot imagine coming down off the high of hiking that far and for that length of time and not feeling a tiny bit of depression. Take care of yourself! It looks like you’re doing a great job of getting back to the real world! I miss Leffe’s sweet smile! Lol

So nice to see you with Leffe!!😊

Change is hard. Just go with it. Journal and yoga. Connect with friends. Plan your next adventure. Sounds like you are doing all of the above.

I get it. I honestly get melancholy when going back home from a day hike. Nature is powerful and pure; it's easy to quickly yearn for it. Transitions are difficult, especially drastic ones like you've had Stella. You're making good connections and positive routines. 😊 Every space has its purpose and flow and it looks like you're finding it with the new place. 😊 This was a great video, and yes, absolutely, please keep vlogging! I have to mention...the first 30 seconds of this video were quite emotional, and poetic. Well done. Take care and thank you ✌️

I was so excited to see Leffty with you. He is such a gentleman and appears to value your friendship!!

Your place is adorable, Stella! Great to have a new home to tend to as part of your building a post-thru hike life! Thank you for this video and your first CO hike post-AT video! Keep them coming! ❤️🙌🏻 STILL cheering you on!

We love the way you narrate your videos. Good luck moving on to your next big adventure!

Your new home is beautiful! I can only imagine how hard it would be to transition back to home life after the freedom of the trail. You sure did pick a fabulous area to relocate to. Go explore and your new adventure will be right around the corner! Hugs💗💗💗

I sure miss your vlogs on the AT. What a great moment in time. Hope you are fine and on trail soon!!

Get back out in nature, even for small hikes. Listen to the birds, the wind in the trees, water dancing over rocks. I have no doubt that depression after the trail is a real thing. I have no doubt that you will conquer this as well. ❤

Stella, It is understandable to feel sad after the euphoria you had after completing the thru hike. You had a routine and a goal. But take this time to relax, and plan another project. You are very adventurous and need that stimuli . Maybe write a book like the author of "Wild" who finished the PCT trail. When you get down think of the bad weather, and rugged terrain , during the last half of the hike. You will bounce forward. Live Strong!!

I love Goodwill. When I moved from Houston to South Carolina I realized I didn’t bring anything with me to serve a dinner to friends, so Goodwill for the win!! I got some really nice serving dishes etc. Hang in there, still watching. 😊

The new apartment is looking so cute!! And I'm glad you are keeping busy with yoga and local walks and journaling to help with the post trail depression-as someone else commented as well, heading back home from a day trip can get me down, let alone an incredible adventure like the whole AT!! Happy you are keeping us updated, and I would watch videos of just life in Colorado, and planning your next big adventure, etc! Thanks for continuing to share with us, and sending lots of good vibes that the post trail sadness improves quickly, and that your new life in Colorado is going to be absolutely AMAZING💙💙

Hoping you are happy! 😊❤🙏🏻

Great video vlog. The topic adjusting to off trail life will be so helpful to those dealing with off trail blues or just change in life. I have be so blessed to view / watch three or four AT video bloggers like yourself; you may be my favorite for content, diversity, energy, energy, education. & entertainment. The one most common theme for “why” someone takes on this long & challenging endeavor is this “ to reset their inner clock or life balance by living a life of simplicity composed of a epic challenge uncomplicated by our worldly influences and distractions, politics, religious views, pressures of society and criticism to just life life simply …. Get up have a Gail for that new day to hike a certain numbers of miles, do it safely, absorb the nature around you, cling a steep hill, forge a creek then arrive at your goal for that day, make camp, feed yourself, then go to sleep and get up the next day , and go it again and again and again until you finish and arrive in Maine for however how many days it took …… the simplicity of living the Thru Hike is the simplicity we all desire Now you have this opportunity to transcend the Thu Hike Simplicity into away to life a life in the World Simply and I believe to can be just such a guide for the rest of us. Your struggling with the loss of that Thur Hike trail simple life & you sole & body miss it … Help us learn to have the mind sense to not let our life get so complicated but to keep life’s ultimate thru hike Simple. Love your blog. Thank for taking me/us on this journey.

Your looking Beautiful as ever. What you are doing is definitely working for you.

Wonderful video. Confirmed my feelings when I’m out on an extended camping adventure and then come home. Sometimes folks ask me how I can be gone so long. My reply often met with confusion when I share, “I LOVE experiencing nature. Looking forward to my next trip” Again…thanks for your confirmation!!!

I get it completely. I’ve felt sad after short section hikes and most recently after our thru hike of the Foothills Trail. I feel like nature is where I belong. It’s much simpler, intoxicating, liberating and grounding. Hang in there. It seems like you’re doing all the right things to work through this phase. Yoga is definitely healing, along with a good diet and optimistic attitude. 🙏🏼💜 Namaste.

We hear of post-thru-hike depression quite often, glad you're finding ways to deal with it. Vlog-type videos are fine with me!

Awww.. I think you miss your friend Leffy. You guys spent a lot of time together. Seeing you too dance made me smile 😊

Like the beginning of your video with the. Nice recap of your long hike 👍 I guess your mix feeling are very normal after this hike out of " everyday normal life " but you seem to doing everything well to be back on The track ! you and Leffe are so cute together you found a precious friend Stella take a good care of you 💚

Yes, pl the vlogs going even on lousy days. Feeling down after such a big high is normal. You are doing everything right already - soon the mists will clear.

Love your honesty and always keeping it real. ❤❤ I also LOVE that rug 😊

Hi Stella! Thank you so much for sharing all of your journeys. I have enjoyed watching all of your vlogs and I hope you continue to do them daily. I always look forward to the next one. You are such an inspiration and joy to watch!

I hope you continue to do videos. I get it! I always miss the trail . Just being in nature . I loved Colorado . Great hiking trails , bike trails , breweries, and the people were super nice. I’m sure you will get back to the normal routine soon.

Thanks for sharing keep the videos coming.

Hi Stella, absolutely we want you to keep vlogging👍 Hope your post trail depression doesn't get too bad, it's a serious thing though. Darwin on the Trail has a great vid about it. I'd recommend planning another trip, even a short one, just to get back out there. 👋💙🇬🇧

The new place looks great. Bright and cheery. It takes time to adjust 👣🌻

Yes keep making videos!

Glad your doing well. I’m sure you’ll settle in, get set up, then put it all in storage in a few months to finish the cdt!

Yes, keep vlogging! For those of us who have invested in seeing you everyday it’s a little like withdrawal now that you’ve finished😂. It’s a nice transition for you, of course but, it’s a nice transition for us as well. We like seeing what you’re up to and look forward to your next adventure whenever that may be! As someone who also has a RU-vid channel, I know and appreciate the hard work work that goes into providing content so, thank you for that as well. 🥰

Hey Stella! Have really enjoyed your adventures and hope to see you back out there. I would love to watch you do the John Muir Trail in California. It is beautiful and it’s only 250mi I think. I get the PVB’s (Post Vacation Blues) when I come home, so I can only imagine what it must feel like for you. Hang in there. You got this!😅

Thanks for sharing your journey

Congrats on a successful thru hike! Thanks so much for your channel & inspiring me to get outdoors more. I know how lost you can feel after getting back to civilization & trying to adjust. It looks like you are taking a smart & healthy approach. Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, your new place & look forward to your future adventures 😊

Love this share thanks do much

I always love seeing your bright, shining, beautiful face. As long as you vlog, I will watch. I'm feeling the lonely vibes myself lately. I'm not too sure how to remedy them in my older age as I have in my past. I know God will work things out for both of us as we navigate this new chapter of our lives. Thank you so much for sharing yours with all of us.❤️😊❤

I felt that way, after coming back to the USA (home) after my UK Hike.

I like the idea of a sister series or channel "Stella hikes at home" exploring the terrain of life after trail. I think its important for viewers to see that transitioning from trail and having depression is very common and ideas for how to curb that is a very considerate idea. I'd love to see videos too of when and how you plan your next hike.

Many hugs your way!!! Your apartment is coming together great, your rug is beautiful!!! Keep up the great work!!!

I love your daily vlogs please keep them up and going. ❤❤❤

Loving the daily vlogs!

Cool. Great content 😊

Yes....keep making vlogs! We all love them! You are so inspiring and have a gift for making vlogs. Can't wait to see where your life takes you after the AT and looking forward to your next hike! Love your apartment!

I was pleasantly surprised when this video popped up. Yes! Please do keep making videos!!! I love them!!!!

Hi Stella! Enjoy Colorado and all its beauty! Thanks for opening up and I feel similar at times. Good luck!

Glad to see you’re settling into your new place! And, yoga is a great way to heal! I love hot yoga, but usually only go the winter 😬

Hi Stella! Thank you so much for sharing this. It would be great to see a video on yoga for hikers. And any other exercises that you feel would help in preparing for a thru hike, or dealing with pain from hiking. Thanks again! You are an inspiration 🤗

Your new apartment looks great and I'm a little envious of living in CO. I hope that your days brighten with new and positive experiences! Have a beautiful week! 🌸🧡

Keep them coming; you are and will do great. 🫂

Yes please, keep the videos coming.

I always enjoy your videos,where you started the trail at springer mountain isn't but about an hour from me,you always have great content and informative as well,keep them coming

This was some really good advice! I love your vlogs, whether it's on trail or not. This one was quite entertaining! Your lunch looks awesome -- dinner, too, except I'm not that fond of ramen. But the vegetables looked delicious! Your yoga class also looks very useful. I do tai chi myself, but I can see how yoga would be really good for the condition of your knees. What made you decide to move to Colorado? Is it near any of your family, or just near mountains?

Hang in there young lady 🌹you are doing great on the Vlogs and I'm so happy you continued them after the trail😊 great content on this vlog, a day in the life of Stella!! You are doing it!!❤✅️

I hear it's a real thing..Depression after the trail

Love your memories & video! ❤ Hey anyone who can finish that trail, that fast, under those circumstances, has to be Blessed with Health and High Energy. 😅 When you're such a high achiever I figured it would be hard for you to calm down and refocus. It looks like you've got it all figured out already. Congratulations on the apartment and furniture! It looks like you're settling in quite well. Everything looks fairly new including the bicycle. ;) I think you've done exceedingly well for yourself. Kick back and take a breather and I'm sure you'll figure out what you would like to do next. Hello again to Leffe! Good luck and best wishes Always to you both. 🎉 Hope to see you soon. :) God Bless 🙏 ❤

Thanks for posting this. I recently became unemployed from a job that fully consumed me. I feel a lil lost at home with social media. Its easy to feel a lil down during the summer when everyone is doing 'big' things. Of course it's just the refocusing for the next big thing.

I’ve never done a thru-hike -- but I still have to get outside every day. I go to local parks and walk 8-9 miles a day. There must be a ton of natural, outdoor spaces to commune with nature, in the Fort Collins area. Yes, plz continue with the vlogs, stay connected.

Question so are we going to see leffe more.

Welcome to Fort Collins! Already found the gems of the town that’s awesome!

Such a cute room.

Aha, Post trail blues. Your have a lot of company. Glad to hear you are looking to start a hiking business. Best wishes on that and thanks for keeping your community up to date. Paul ( Irish Mist”)

I love the "coming down from the high". You had many peeks and valleys. Who knew coming down was literal and metaphorical or that it existed...in fact. Sometimes we keep going not giving our reason for thought adequate attention. This may fit into your business to include awarness of the post hike. What do you do after you've made it to your journey, the top of the mountain? Don't forget to live on your way back to "normal", right? Nice reminder. Wonderful Content.

Hang in there Stella Things will get better with time

Great info on post trail depression.

Go visit Kate Cloud and Little Leaf up in Rawlings, WY. She bought an old building and is turning it into a hostel for hikers and bikers traversing the CDT.

Makes sense to have a letdown after a huge accomplishment like yours. Hang in there and surround yourself with things you love. Also, volunteer in ways to help the less fortunate. Few things cure mild depression more than helping those less fortunate.

MrBean here GA>ME 96 rainy weather here in Maine is worse than when you finished many have called it quits!! So sad

Woman and the nesting instinct.. 😁 .... what a glorious place to live and rent...

Nice step-thru bike...good for riding greenways and parks. For jumps, drops and bunny hops on trails you'll need at least a front suspension fork. Maybe they can install one for you and on the next ride we'll see you go airborne😁

that rug really ties the room together.

Since I’ve only ever seen you kicking it’s nice to see you the other side of you. Keep Vlogging.

Yep , know that feeling well.

🦋

being in Colorado you should have some great trails to go explore. i know its not thru hiking but a weekend in woods does a mind good

When you become one with your surroundings that is being in nature when you reinter this world we call life it's very depressing sometimes but just give it time you will adjust glad you're keeping use involved in your life very interesting to see how things are going would be depressed if you just left us out 😢 I feel your like family now so no contact would suck 😢God Bless can't wait to see your next video

For a minute I thought she said I miss the “fun guy!” Lol

💕

Hobbies..that’s the only way I could snap out of post trail depression. Jiu Jitsu was the ticket for me. I got the same bond with my Jiu Jitsu friends as I did with my trail family…almost lol. The reason it worked was because training Bjj is extremely difficult and your partners are climbing that same hill, so to speak. There’s a bond built when you endure difficult things with another human. So now I have a family of very kind, but dangerous, folks lol. I love it

Big change from making two decisions a day, what to eat & how far to walk vs everyday life decisions.were fronted with.

Oh yes, I sure did feel adrift and lost once I got off the AT and it took me several weeks to a month to finally get back into the " Real World " The routine of the trail was fairly basic and consistent for the most part and diving back into society was a kind of culture shock for me 🙂

NO! No depression Stella! Plan your next challenge in life and get excited!!! Seriously, I hope you find peace and contentment ✌🏼

As others have said, kind of natural to feel a little lost. You've had a lot of life transitions in a short period of time and so it's understandable. Glad to see you're eating real food!! A tour of your friend's farm would be interesting. Also maybe a comparison of trails?? Keep up the yoga and maybe sneak in some Pilates.

Can you do a biking vlog and show us around? That would be fun.

Take care. See ya in the next one.

Thanks for this video Stella! Have you thought about getting a part time job at REI? Great company to work for and hikers to interact with. Either that or volunteering somewhere. Or a class at CSU? (My alma mater) Also, what about some of the recipes you were working on when taking the break in Seattle from the CDT? They looked great! THX again

Maybe it is due to not knowing & having to figure out what to do with your days going forward …where when on Trail one knows pretty much what one will do and where each day leads…and one is let off the hook of having to produce in a normal existence …the goal one worked for for so long is no more…so one has to face Now what? Having to find Life’s new daily purpose can feel like an insurmountable task and a bit overwhelming… Deep breaths…day by day…good luck.

Ending a thru hike sounds like ending a relationship... remembering the good and forgetting the bad. 🤦‍♀🤷‍♀ 😂 Time heals all! (STS!)

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy knows & has suggestions - guess you have already checked it out... always wishing you well 💙

It is a huge lifestyle change....for anyone, so I feel like you are in the vast majority on this...Take care and get outside, consider it therapeutic...

Post hiker depression!! We were never ment to live in a post industrial world...we were meant to WALK... AND WALK AND WALK!! the world!!!!

Try practicing Tonglen using your down feelings as the target. Sometimes it’s effect is magical.

As a potential Thru Hiker with an equipment question; is there a Trail App or hiker app you found helpful & would recommend, All Trails is one I use for local hikes?

What spices/flavorings did you add to the meals you have in this video? Apartment looks nice.

Yes keep vlogging !! What do you do for work ?

Any overnight hikes and wild camps to do in Colorado? Enquiring minds want to know!