It is January 21st and the “polar vortex” is here! Or as I like to say January in Upstate NY is here with a vengeance. Since the deep freeze was coming we made sure to get out on the trail this past weekend. We also wanted to try out our new packs. Hubby got a new backpack and I chose a lumbar pack. I often found that our old backpack irritated my neck. A friend that we hike with has a lumbar pack and really likes it for her day hikes. I found one on REI in purple and without maximizing my purchase I went for it. So far, I have been happy.
What do I mean by not maximizing my purchase? I discovered the concept of maximizing vs satisficing during my research of Positive Psychology. In my first book Stop Talking to Yourself and Start Listening, chapter 4 discusses the two concepts. Maximizing every decision is a life long and generational family habit and stopping it has increased my well being. How did I satisfice my purchase of a new lumbar pack? I just made sure it checked off my needs: 1. it was a lumbar pack 2. will hold 2 water bottles and snacks and gear 3. bonus: it was purple and on sale.
It is perfect for my day hikes. It holds snacks in the side pockets and the big pocket, 2 drink bottles, and my gear in the small and big pocket. The first hike I did with it was an easy hike and there was no boulder climbing. I was super pleased. It didn’t fall down as my friend said happened to her sometimes and I could access my drink bottle without help. The second hike as shown above was more challenging. I found that while maneuvering down the boulders and icy rocks on my butt I needed to move the pack to the front to keep it from getting scraped up. If I hadn’t been told it is NOT a good look, I would wear it in front all the time because then every thing is readily available. Sliding it around back to front though is super easy.
Hiking is definitely an area where I try not to maximize. Satisficing my need to get out in the woods requires only a few criteria be met to choose a trail: 1. the distance to the trailhead 2. the steepness of the trail. 3. is there a view? The above trail is Hackensack mountain in Warrensburg NY. We used AllTrails for the trailhead parking and the trail, but last time we did it I used the info from a different site and we parked in a neighborhood and went up and down on a different trail. There are a few trails on Hackensack because it is a town trail network I believe. Next time, we will follow the AllTrails suggestions for up and down routes because navigating those boulder fields with the snow and ice was daunting at times. We always have our microspikes when Winter hiking. They are a must have!
If you find yourself maximizing your choices, I encourage you to try satisficing. You can get my books through any independent bookstore. Don’t overthink it. Go for the purple one or whatever your favorite color and get out there and have some fun!
Robin Schneider Larkin 