Striking up a casual elevator conversation with someone you met 10 seconds ago and someone you might never see again? Uhhh. Seems like a lot.

Forget about traveling to a place you’ve never been before, meeting an entirely new group of people, and swapping most of your belongings for a paddle, a kayak and a dry bag. After which, you’ll be heading off on a 4 day adventure across the Pacific Ocean to camp in tents on islands with these new strangers.

Did I mention no cell service?

Seems like insanity.

But, that’s exactly what happened on the San Juan Islands Kayaking Adventure.

The result?

Lifelong connections and a new place that felt like home: each other.

The lubrication for the entire adventure wasn’t booze or drugs or prior friendship (which is often the case when gathering with strangers). Instead, our connection was fueled simply by our love for adventure and the presence of nature. From breathwork and cold plunges in the ocean while releasing our fears, to waking up slowly and enjoying coffee and conversation by the campfire in the mornings, the magic of this trip was infused by the nature surrounding us. And each day, nature and our adventure led us closer and closer to each other.

There is no possible way for me to explain what transpired on this trip, or on any of the Root Trips for that matter (if you’ve been on one of our trips then you’re familiar with this feeling), but what I do know is that there is something powerful that happens. People come back changed, different, inspired, open. You feel more like “you”.

Here is what I can say with certainty:

1. Unplugging every so often is necessary for sanity. Often on these trips there is no cell service. So we say our goodbyes to family and friends, send them the Garmin tracking link so they can follow our progress, and put our phones on Airplane Mode. It’s a moment of mixed emotions. There is an expansive feeling of freedom, mixed with the panic of “what if someone needs me” or “what if I miss something”. But the panic soon fades and the freedom sets in as the adventure begins.

   Try: Next time at a gathering or even in the evening when you’re connecting with loved ones after work or school , turn your phone to “Do Not Disturb” for even just an hour.

2. Connect with nature somehow, someway everyday. One of the best parts of these trips is the knowledge of the guides traveling with us. They stop to tell us stories about the land, the flora, and the fauna. We take lots of time to pause and appreciate, to slow down and take it all in. We smell flowers, touch leaves, appreciate the color of the ocean and the way the different currents make the water flow and move. We turn down the internal noise of thoughts, judgements, and fears and unburden ourselves from the past and the future by putting ourselves in the here and now of nature.

   Try: Find a moment each day to go outside and put your feet on the Earth or even just admire a plant in your home or look out a window at some greenery. Take a deep breath and see/feel what you notice.

3. Traveling activates the childlike, curious part of the brain. When you’re traveling, chances are everything is new. Getting on the ferry, figuring out where to meet our guides, kayaking, hiking, and seeing new things. It activates a part of our brain that sometimes feels rusty and stuck in the monotony of our everyday routine. Traveling is a massive awakening for the brain that fuels curiosity and a sense of aliveness.

   Try: You don’t have to go on a huge traveling adventure to activate this part of the brain. Try anything new. A new recipe, a new song, a new restaurant. You can even try doing old things in a new way.

4. Curiosity fosters connection. Curiosity and activation of our child-like brain places us in the ideal state for connection. We are open and alive. We become curious not only about new surroundings, but the people in them. We get curious about each other’s stories, why we are here, where we’ve come from, and where we are headed next.

   Try: The next time you’re in a gathering or again, in the evening with friends and family after school or work, make it your mission to get curious about the people in the room. If you know them very well, see if you can find out something you don’t know about them.

5. And this connection (Presence) is the ultimate healer. When we can give each other full attention - no phones, no distractions - the mere act of being fully seen and fully heard is downright healing. When we know someone is truly listening and truly present with us, we tend to share more. This helps us to shed what we perhaps have been carrying for so long, gaining clarity and giving us the opportunity to form a deep connection with our loving listener. In honor of this connection we also agree to be on the receiving end of the beauty of who they are, by being an active listener when it’s their turn to talk.

   Try: Mindful listening. Notice when you’re distracted when listening to someone talk. See if you can bring back your full attention to the person in front of you.