October's Sip of Serenity: Finding Your Way: Trail Etiquette for Chaotic Times

"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."

by John Muir

Greetings!

Finding Your Way: Trail Etiquette for Chaotic Times

Years ago when my kids were in junior high and high school, I attended a school concert for the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The head of the music department gave the most memorable introduction. As he concluded, he prepared the audience's expectations and said, "Please keep in mind that this might be a lot like trying to ride a wild pony."

He knew it would be unpredictable and highly variable!

His words came to mind recently because that's exactly what daily life feels like right now. We're all trying to ride wild ponies—determining priorities, finding the next best step, making decisions against a backdrop of chaos and uncertainty.

In working with my clients (and in my own life), I've noticed something interesting: while we can't control the chaos around us, we have far more power than we think over how we move through it. The question isn't how to tame the wild pony—it's how to be a responsible rider.

And lately, I keep coming back to an unexpected source of wisdom: trail etiquette.

Those simple guidelines we follow on hiking trails—the ones that help preserve natural spaces for everyone who comes after us—turn out to be surprisingly powerful principles for navigating difficult times with grace and integrity.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

On the trail, this means taking your trash with you. In life, it means being mindful of the evidence you leave behind wherever you go — a dirty dishes, untidy room, and emotional residue such as the unfinished conversations. In other words, the stuff others have to clean up after you've moved on.

Recently a client told me how her partner was irritating. He left little messes that she inevitably had to clean up after work. As she described a few examples, she shared that along with making requests for him to remember to do x or y, she found herself muttering unkind sarcastic comments as she walked away. She recognized how this bitterness was not helpful to him, left her feeling unkind and grumpy, and a tension lingered in the house.

We don't want to clean up after someone else, and no one wants to clean up after us. What would it look like to leave each interaction, each meeting, each difficult conversation without debris?

Respect Nature

On the trail, this means not disturbing wildlife or damaging the ecosystem. In life, it's about recognizing we're part of larger systems—family systems, work cultures, communities—and our actions ripple outward in ways we can't always predict.

It's also about respecting the fundamental laws of how things work. We might get away with cutting corners or ignoring consequences in the short term, but nature has its own timeline. What we put out eventually comes back to us in some form.

Last week I got caught up in false urgency, pushing myself to finish responding to an important document because I just wanted it off my to-do list. I rushed and stressed, skipped exercising and a meal to save time, and pushed aside other important tasks. By the end of the day, my work ended up subpar because I'd been rushing, and I'd neglected taking care of myself. Ugh. I know I'm not alone in wanting a do-over by day's end because I forced things and fought against the natural rhythm instead of trusting it. Yes, sometimes we genuinely need to push through. But more often? The work gets done better when we trust the natural pace of things.

The question becomes: Are we working with the grain of things, or constantly fighting against it?

Leave No Trace (or Better Yet, Leave It Better)

This is similar to packing out your trash but goes deeper. It's about legacy. When you leave a relationship, a job, a project, a conversation — what remains? What do you want to remain?

Some of us are walking trails blazed by those before us, leaving our own footprints. Some of us are cutting new paths for others to follow or not follow. Either way, we're leaving something behind.

What do you want that something to be?

I realize these might sound like lofty ideals when you're just trying to get through the day without falling off the wild pony. But I've found—both personally and with clients—that having these simple touchstones makes the chaos more navigable. They give us something to return to when everything else feels unpredictable.

With Love & Light,

Suzanne

If you're navigating chaotic terrain and want support finding your own trail etiquette—the principles that will help you move through uncertainty with more grace and intention—I'd love to hear from you. Sometimes we all need a guide when the trail gets rough.

Reach out anytime at Suzanne@oasisintheoverwhelm.com. I'm always happy to connect.

October's Sip of Serenity from Oasis in the Overwhelm™

Sip of Serenity Exercise

Take a moment right now to consider: What are your most important guidelines for the trail you're walking or blazing?

Breathe: Inhale for 5 counts, hold for 7 counts, exhale for 9 counts. Repeat this cycle for at least one minute. Notice how the longer exhale settles your nervous system.

Walk in your mind: Imagine you're on a beautiful trail. Take in the details. What does it look like? What do you smell? What sounds surround you?

Find your talisman: Notice one object on your imagined walk. Hold it in your mind's eye — a smooth stone, a particular leaf, the way light filters through trees. Carry this symbol with you as you return to the rest of your day.

You have an Oasis. Anytime. Anywhere.

What's Happening at Oasis

Wellness Wednesday: October 22, 2025; 12-1pm ET. FREE.

To join, email Suzanne for the Zoom link.

Individual Coaching: reach out if you're interested or want to learn more.

Since 2009, Suzanne has inspired transformation as a coach, author, and speaker. With over 25 years of research and training, her custom-tailored approach combines science-based strategies, somatic practices, and creative collaboration. She catalyzes peace and personal growth for a wide range of clients—from artists and stay-at-home moms to business leaders, empowering them to reimagine their "stories" and achieve freedom, joy, and success as they define it.

Born to a Dominican mother and a father raised in New England, Suzanne grew up as the youngest of six children, which gave her a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. She excels at connecting with others, bridging generational, cultural, and linguistic divides, fostering inner harmony and inspiring greater understanding in relationships.

Oasis in the Overwhelm™ is a registered trademark.

If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission of this newsletter,

you may reach Suzanne by clicking here.