Any outdoor enthusiast new to the community goes through a series of canon events. You may remember (or still experience) going to the outdoor equipment store, wandering through the aisles completely lost. And even once you get that equipment, you may feel lost on not only how to use this equipment properly, but where to store it. After all that, you want to turn to someone with an empathetic ear, but unless they’ve gone through these circumstances, they may not understand. There’s a common theme in all these events: a desire for community and a feeling of hopelessness when it comes to your gear.
This is the plight of life in the outdoors — even when you’re not outdoors. However, all of these experiences are a rite of passage and can be easily assuaged with the following tips.
Forming Friendships With Outdoor Enthusiasts
Whether you’re just getting into the outdoor scene or you’ve been a nature lover for years, one of the best ways to learn more about the kind of gear you need and to take part in new, unique adventures is to become part of a community of like-minded people. Think about the kind of experience you want. If you look at your outdoor life as a hobby, you’re going to want to be around people who are just as relaxed.
If you’re ready for more fun-filled adventures and you’re looking for people to share them with, your best bet might be to start your search online. Or, join a local meetup or attend a community event. You might even form friendships by taking a rock climbing class or receiving training for other types of outdoor sports.
When you build an adventure friend group, you’ll do more than just meet fellow enthusiasts. You’ll likely end up learning a lot, too. Everyone has a unique perspective on outdoor living, and even if you’ve been at it for a while, it’s never too late to pick up some new tricks from others.
Storage Solutions
There’s no denying that outdoor gear is an investment. Storing it properly is essential for ensuring it lasts for years to come. How you store your gear depends on what you have and how long you’ll need to put it away. For example, if you’re packing up your camping equipment at the end of the season, make sure you clean everything, wash your textiles, and repair what’s necessary now so you don’t have to worry about it next year.
Gear should be sorted in an organized fashion. Not only will it make it easier to navigate the things you have, but it will also make it easier to see what you can get rid of and what you need. No matter what you’re storing, everything should be clean, dry, and in a place where it can “breathe” so it doesn’t acquire mold.
There’s no right or wrong location when it comes to storing your gear as long as it’s safe and dry. A closet, shed, storage unit, or even an indoor cabinet can all come in handy. If you’re worried about not having enough space, get creative with shelving, hooks, or other vertical solutions.
Storing More Than Just Gear
Don’t be afraid to let your love of nature become something you passionately pursue as a career. Maybe you have helpful tips you can share with the world. Maybe you have interesting stories to tell. Or, maybe your travels around the world are something people would like to see. While diving into the digital world might seem contradictory to an outdoorsy lifestyle, it’s a great way to get more people interested in spending more time adventuring.
One of the best ways to do that is to become a content creator. There are so many unique niches you can dive into if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. You could provide camping tips. You could shoot documentary-style content about traveling. Or, you could become a social media influencer sharing your love of certain outdoor products. Having a niche is one of the most important things you can do if you want to start a blog or video channel. From there, you’re likely to find success if you:
Stick to a schedule
Promote yourself
Run ads
Partner with brands
Sharing your outdoor content online gives you the unique opportunity to become an even bigger part of a community. Blogs often open up social opportunities. You can connect them to your social media platforms, accept and respond to comments, and invite other outdoor enthusiasts to become regular guest writers for you. Even if you never end up meeting these people in person, establishing an online community can help you feel supported and can encourage those who might just be getting started with outdoor adventures.
If you’re able to turn it into a career, it also allows you to purchase more professional gear for content creation and travel to unique and interesting places.
If you do start building up an arsenal of content creation equipment, including cameras, tripods, and sound equipment, it might be worth it to rent a storage unit that stays safe, dry, and is monitored by security systems throughout the year so you never have to worry about your expensive gear being compromised.
