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What Are You Afraid Of? | Adventurous Homebody Club

1. I hope you had an excellent (long) weekend! We spent ours in Santa Fe, catching up with our best friends Shota and Shelby. We extended our stay by a day, which is why this email is coming to you a little later than usual — thanks for giving me grace!


2. Our weekend was all about mountain biking, enjoying good food, and soaking in that perfect Santa Fe weather!

Well, mostly perfect… We did get caught in a massive hailstorm on our first ride in the mountains. It was terrifying and really put my mountain biking skills to the test. It was a humbling reminder always to be prepared for the unexpected (like maybe pack a rain jacket next time!) and to know that Mother Nature is always in charge.

3. I’ve been reflecting a lot on fear lately (more on this below). While I never want to instill fear, I do believe it’s an excellent tool for preparation. One piece of advice that really changed my perspective on adventuring was: “Prepare for what you’re scared of.”

 

  • Afraid of a gnarly wipeout on a ride? Invest in a full-face helmet.
  • Scared of getting lost? Download digital maps, learn to read paper ones, and get a GPS device.
  • Anxious about wildlife encounters? Take a wildlife preparedness course.

 

Mother Nature is powerful, and so is knowledge! So, prepare for what you’re scared of and turn that fear into confidence.

4. Last weekend, Dom and I snuck away to Sedona for a quick getaway! Five months ago, I found this historic cabin rental on Recreation.gov, and it was such a special find! With stunning views of Cathedral Rock and easy access to the creek, it made for the perfect overnight escape. I know not everyone is close to Sedona, but if you’re looking for a unique camping experience, I highly recommend exploring Recreation.gov for spots near you.

5. IF you are planning to visit Sedona soon (highly recommend), here are some blogs you’ll find helpful:

 

6. On all my recent travels, I’ve been reading (and LOVING) the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas! This is my third (or fourth?) attempt with Sarah J. Maas—I wasn’t a fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but Throne of Glass has me hooked. It’s all I can think about!

7. I haven’t updated you on therapy since declaring it Sad Girl Summer, but I’m proud to share that I’ve made some big breakthroughs! 
 
One of the most profound moments was recognizing how fear operates in my life. After living with anxiety and depression for over a decade, fear feels all too familiar. It’s powerful and all-consuming, and if you look closely, it’s everywhere — influencing how we shop, vote (or don’t), work, and even what we choose to do for fun.
 
8. Fear is at the root of so many negative emotions. And while a little fear can be protective, I’m working on recognizing it for what it is so that it doesn’t control my actions. My therapist told me that the antidote to fear is love. It’s a simple idea, but I’m committed to rewiring my brain to lean into love over fear!
 
If you’re interested in diving deeper into the topic of fear, these (expertly written) articles are a great start:
 
9. With all that being said, I think (tentatively) that Sad Girl Summer is coming to an end. It’s still scorching in Phoenix, but with night temps finally dipping below 100 degrees, I’m hopeful the last hot months will fly by, especially with all the travel I have planned!
 
10. As you know, the Adventurous Homebody Club newsletter has been on a bi-weekly summer schedule, and honestly, I’ve enjoyed the slower pace — it’s been a nice summer break! But I’ve missed writing these weekly updates. After making a pros and cons list, I realized that most of the cons were rooted in fear — fear of stability (this doesn’t earn me much income, so it takes time away from paid work), and fear of judgment (is this just a fluff piece for my ego?).
 
But at the end of the day, creating this newsletter brings me so much joy. So, we’re going back to weekly! To keep things sustainable, I’m planning to introduce regular segments like ‘random products I’m loving,’ ‘spilling influencer secrets,’ and ‘trip planning resources.’
 
Feel free to leave a review or reply to this email with thoughts or feedback — I love hearing from you!
Sending love! Jacey

(and Kelso + Toasty 🐱)
Jacey Out West
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Meet the author

Jacey West

My mission is simple: Inspire you to get outside. I like camping, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and exploring National Parks. I’m passionate about sharing all the details of my adventures so you can plan some of your own!

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