My first section hike was 110 miles. A friendly stretch of the Appalachian Trail through Shenandoah National Park. It was the first time I slept more than two nights in a tent. And I didn’t have a clue.

I checked all the boxes. Read blogs, geared up, planned each campsite, sent resupplies. I was logistically ready. But that’s it. (I later learned detailed planning is useless…. a topic for a different article).

I was an excited, nervous mess. Pistachio, a hiker who only brought pistachios and dehydrated meals, showed me the ropes for two days.

I was getting along okay, but one question bothered me. The question that starts most trail conversations. How long are you hiking for?

A thruhiker is greeted by “Woah. That’s awesome.” or ”Damn! You’re crazy!”

My response of “I’m just hiking this section” was greeted with “nice”, then passed by for more questions to the thruhikers. Everyone else I met was hiking the entire trail (2,200 miles) or day hiking. I felt out of place.

I let comparison diminish what this hike meant for me. My longest hike by 5x! My first time sleeping in the backcountry (with bears)! My first step to becoming a thruhiker.

My mindset became “I’m just doing a small hike” instead of taking an exciting step on my journey.

At mile 60 Bugs, who had hiked 3,000+ miles, asked me if I was thruhiking. I gave my casual “Na, I’m just section hiking Shenandoah”. She said it’s not just a section hike. It is a section hike. You’re out here. Doing it.

I felt encouraged and inspired to kick ass. Something that small shaped the rest of my hike. I wasn’t less than. I was starting out on my own journey. And I should be proud of this step.

Since then I’ve met people on the AZT and PCT who say they are just hiking for a few days or weeks. I encourage them the way Bugs encouraged me. Aha – their eyes turn up toward mine as to say “Hell yeah, I am doing something awesome.”

Comparison has dangerous narratives. Here’s a few I’ve felt:

• Is it worth it to start at square one?
• People younger than me are better than I will ever be.
• I’ll look silly.
• They will laugh.
• It’s not worth the time.
• What if I fail.

Comparison shines a spotlight on the wide, dark chasm between today’s state and your ideal future state. The dangerous narratives make you lose sight of who you are now, where you are now, and the positive momentum from small steps.

The mind is wired to observe and compare. You can’t stop it. But you can control your response. You can be aware of your own growth journey and take action.

You become a version of that ideal person the moment you decide to start. No matter how tiny or worthless the action seems. Sure, you aren’t an expert, but it’s only a matter of time. Why the hell can’t you become a version of that ideal person today.