Last year, I returned from an 800km backpacking trip across Colorado. It was my longest solo trip to date and I felt strong, capable and independent. But those feelings of self-sufficiency and accomplishment were background noise as I stared at myself in the mirror, in awe of what 23 days of intense physical output had done to my body.
My legs were toned, my stomach was defined. Yet, even as I was (finally) proud of my appearance, I berated myself, thinking: ‘Why do you care? You were strong before this trip; why does this matter so much?' I knew my actual accomplishments were more important than
