This post is more about doing what you like and not really about outdoor activities.
I used to be a boy Scout and that's where I met many of my current friends. Those were the times when many of us shaped as persons who live a certain type of lifestyle. We basically became a bunch of people interested in outdoor mountain sports, willing to to go to universities and sharing the Scout Promise and Law:
The Scout PromiseThe thing is, after I "graduated" from Scouts and moved on, I started meeting lots of other people saying things like: "Wow! So cool that you go climbing and stuff!" to which I tell them "Why don't you too?" to which they reply "Oh... I have no one to go with... and it costs a lot and I have no money for this... and it's dangerous...", etc.On my honour I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the King (or to God and my Country);
To help other people at all times;
To obey the Scout Law.
The Scout Law
1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty.
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
I cannot overstate how untrue is what those people say. They all seem to think one has to be rich or privileged in some way in order to do the things one loves. I mean, when I was 14 I had to go through fights with my parents coz I regularly came home with my feet frozen and wet from winter hiking tours in the mountains. Another time I even got slapped by by father - I came home wet through the skin from a caving tour. I was doing this while a serious number of my friends simply quit outdoor sports coz their parents didn't let them have it.
Well... I earned my right to "perform" and, as time passed by, my parents saw I became more proficient at it and finally let me have my thing. Once I was featured in the evening news for saving a man from an avalanche (my parrents were terribly proud for that). I saved money and I bought myself all sorts of gear that would keep be dry, warm and safe. I wasn't sponsored or anything but I kept my focus and didn't spend foolishly and that's how I got my trade tools. I was an adventure seeker and I was going for it - I didn't need approval for that!
As I've been climbing and mountaineering for many years, I've seen many new guys coming and going. That's why I know whether one truly wants to be a part of this or not. It's as simple as this: if you spend money, time and effort this means you're genuinely interested. If you only want the benefits (a great view from the top of the mountain, a great downhill ride by bike, a sponsored trip in the Alps, etc.) but you don't do much about it, then you're fake.
So what am I saying here? It's up to you to follow your dreams - outdoor related or otherwise. If you have no friends and think you cannot gather the specific gear you need, you basically need to ignore that and start working towards making it happen. If you're committed to doing something, you will find people to help you along the way and you will also find the financial resources for whatever it is that you want to accomplish.
Enjoy life and take action!
Brasov, seen from the Postavaru summit
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