Living Outside - Literally & Figuratively
According to Wikipedia, the literal definition of living outdoors is “the ultimate dream for some; for others, it may be a necessity... you will need some basic supplies and survival skills. The most important thing of all is to build a secure shelter with access to clean water, food, and other necessities. Survival skills and emergency preparations will ensure that you are healthy and safe.”
What strikes me most about this definition is how well it applies—not just to being out in the wild—but to stepping into unfamiliar, and sometimes unwelcoming, environments of another kind: the corporate world.
Think about it. Entering a new industry, a new organization, a new role, or even a new team can feel a lot like being dropped into the wilderness without a map. You’re expected to survive, adapt, and ideally, thrive. But how?
1. Shelter = Psychological Safety
In the wilderness, shelter is about protection from the elements. In the corporate world, it's about creating a safe space—mentally and emotionally. Psychological safety is the foundation of good work. Without it, you're exposed to the elements of insecurity, anxiety, and fear. Whether you’re the newcomer or the leader, finding that sense of safety is what keeps people resilient.
2. Clean Water & Food = Trust & Feedback
Basic sustenance in nature keeps the body going. In the workplace, trust and feedback do the same for your growth. You need clear, honest input—both to navigate and to thrive. Without it, you’re running on empty, disconnected from what you need to grow and improve. Find the sources you can rely on (mentors and sponsors), and learn how to ask for what sustains you, even if those sources must be external to your team or the organization.
3. Survival Skills = Adaptability, Communication, Awareness
In nature, you need to know how to start a fire, find your bearings, or treat a wound. In the corporate environment, your tools are hard and soft skills—upskilling, training, and continuous learning, as well as listening, setting boundaries, reading the room, and knowing when to speak up or step back. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re survival skills.
4. Emergency Prep = Boundaries & Self-Care
What’s your plan for when things go wrong? Just as campers pack a first aid kit, you need to know what keeps you steady when stress hits. Is it time off, a trusted mentor, or just a walk to reset? For me, it was my family and friends, slow deep breathing techniques, a fierce music playlist and dancing in my kitchen.
Prepare yourself before the storm hits because, eventually, it will.
Living outdoors—whether it’s literal or metaphorical—requires courage, intention, and a deep commitment to knowing yourself. Learning to navigate foreign landscapes, especially ones that don’t always feel welcoming, is hard. But it can also be transformative. It teaches you what matters most, and it strips away the noise to reveal what you’re truly capable of.
In both the wild and the workplace, you grow not by avoiding discomfort, but by learning how to get comfortable being uncomfortable… and with a pack of good tools!