A coworker recently questioned my tendency to share so much of my life online. I was too exhausted after a long 12-hour shift to respond then, and though I’m unsure if his question was meant sarcastically, it’s prompted me to finally address it.
The
Private Man and the Public Fraction
Let me be perfectly clear: I do not share my whole life online.
I am, in fact, a very private
man. What you see is a carefully curated and intensely focused mere fraction of the
totality of my existence. My online platforms are not a diary; they are a
public journal dedicated to specific themes.
You will rarely see photos of
my children or grandchildren. My primary function at work, my financial
details, and the daily minutiae of domestic life remain firmly locked away.
When family or work-related subjects are mentioned, it is always vaguely, in
context with the activities I am carrying out or planning as a digital
creator—logistics for an upcoming hike, or why I need a week off to fulfil a
commitment. My boundaries are rigid, and they are fiercely protected.
Defining
the Shared Landscape
The part of my life I do share is driven by three
distinct, interwoven motivations, rooted in decades of experience.
1. The Love of the
Outdoors and Nature’s Remedy:
This is the core of my visual content. I share my passion for the natural
world—the forests, the trails, the waterways. This is not simply about
showcasing beauty; it is about promoting the profound physical and mental
health benefits of spending time in nature.
2. The Challenge of
Resilience: In my
late 60s, I navigate the daily reality of suffering from osteoarthritis. My
physical adventures are often difficult, requiring planning and willpower. By
sharing the reality of these challenges—the good days and the bad—I aim to
demonstrate that age and chronic conditions are obstacles to be managed, not
mandates for stagnation. Sharing my journey is a form of accountability and a
message of hope for others facing similar physical adversity.
3. The Value of
Accumulated Experience:
Having lived for nearly seven decades, I have accumulated a considerable amount
of life experience. From time to time, I feel compelled to write articles or
share anecdotes relating to good and bad experiences from my past. These are
not confessionals; they are attempts to distil wisdom, offer perspective, or
simply connect on the shared human experience of navigating error and success.
The
Rephrased Question: Why Share Interests and Experiences?
So, Dan, and anyone else
wondering, let us rephrase your question to its accurate form: Why do you share your interests and
experiences online?
My answer is rooted entirely in
purpose, seeking impact over mere audience capture.
The purpose of my YouTube
channel, my writing, and all my digital efforts is singular: to promote the profound mental and
physical benefits of getting outdoors.
My
Mission is to Inspire Connection
My aim is to inspire viewers to
connect with nature and explore the world around them, regardless of their
current physical state or stage of life.
Whether I am sharing an
invigorating hike along scenic trails, a gentle local walk, a serene kayaking
trip, an immersive camping experience under starry skies, or a captivating
visit to a place of historic and cultural interest, the message remains the same:
Go outside.
Through these documented
adventures, I want to demonstrate how spending time outside can:
- Rejuvenate
the Mind: Nature is the ultimate
anti-anxiety medicine. It offers perspective, reduces stress, and sharpens
focus.
- Strengthen
the Body: Movement, even gentle
movement, is essential for maintaining mobility, especially as we age and
face conditions like osteoarthritis.
- Foster
Deeper Appreciation: By exploring our natural
landscapes and shared history, we develop a deeper appreciation for the
world we inhabit and the communities we belong to.
Ultimately, I share because I
am leveraging my experience and my passion to build a platform of advocacy. I
share because if the simple act of documenting my late-60s journey inspires one
person to step off the couch, lace up their shoes, and seek the silence of the
woods, then the investment of time and effort is unequivocally worth it.
It is not about sharing my
whole life; it is about sharing the most valuable lessons I have learned about life, and hoping they
resonate. It is about connection, not exposure.
