While engaging in a unique combination of rucking (walking with a weighted backpack) and doing street photography on the 23rd of November, 2024, I realized, not for the first time in my life, that to appreciate comfort, one must feel discomfort.
How many kilograms did I have on my back and shoulders? In total, I had 22 kg (49 lbs)-19 kg of barbell plates + 3 kg of the rucksack itself. Also, it was only 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit). I made almost 12k steps, and after returning home, I was exhausted. Undoubtedly, it was mainly because I was walking with a hefty load on my back and shoulders. The more I expose my body to cold, do dry fasting, and walk with a heavy backpack, the more I appreciate comfort of lying comfortably on the couch in a warm home, reading books, and eating pistachios or peanuts.
The truth is that when I am returning home from my ~2 hours of walking, I dream of letting go of the burden I have on my back, squatting, and resting.
Why did I write about squatting and not about sitting or lying? Because squatting is the best for back relief after such walking. Also, it makes me warmer. I would not feel warm if I lay down on the couch. That’s why I always squat after rucking and walking in frigid temperatures. It brings me tremendous comfort and alleviation. Did I mention that after rucking, I feel literally more powerful? I feel my muscles are simply bigger. Perhaps I will write more about the rucking benefits in the future.
For today, I am glad that I will be rucking and doing street photography tomorrow (on the 24th of November, 2024) and that on Monday, I will rest. Undoubtedly, rest is always necessary for all kinds of mentally and physically tiring activities, and taking a break is okay. Remember, rest is not a sign of weakness; it’s a crucial part of the process.
