Letting Go of the Map: Lessons from the Grand Canyon
The Anxiety of the Unplanned
I used to feel that I needed a plan for everything. For years, I’ve practiced balancing what is appropriate to control and when it is time to simply flow. In April 2019, I put this to the ultimate test. My partner and I planned a trip to Arizona, and I asked him to handle all the logistics—rental cars, hotels, and meals.
When we landed in Phoenix and I realized much of it had been done at the last minute (or not at all), my anxiety was high. But as it turned out, the trip worked out better than anything I could have meticulously planned myself.
The 14-Mile "Spur of the Moment"
Because we weren't tied to a rigid itinerary, we were open to wonder. What started as a plan to find a "squished penny" at the Grand Canyon turned into a spontaneous 14-mile hike into the canyon.
As we descended, the world changed. The rim we once stood on became a distant mountaintop. The rock layers shifted in color, marking the passage of eons. At the bottom, the desert gave way to lush vegetation and buzzing insects. Standing on a plateau overlooking the Colorado River, surrounded by short cacti and ancient stone, I felt incredibly small—and incredibly humbled.
The Reward of the Climb
The 7-mile trek back up was a grueling physical challenge. Step after step, with tired legs and a focused mind, I pushed forward. There is a specific kind of joy that comes from pushing your body to achieve something you didn't know you were capable of. When my boots finally hit the pavement at the top, I was filled with a sense of pride that no pre-planned tour could have provided.
The "Best Seat in the House"
Our lack of a schedule allowed for magic:
The Stars: Stopping on a pitch-black desert road to see the Milky Way in all its unfiltered glory.
The Canyon: Getting into a specific tour of Antelope Canyon only because the other "popular" ones were booked—and finding out from locals it was actually the more beautiful route.
The Finale: Ending our trip at a fancy dinner in Sedona, sitting on a patio with dust still on our boots and the Red Rocks as our backdrop.
This trip remains one of my favorites because of how effortlessly it flowed once I stopped trying to steer the ship.
About the Author
Sarah Lacy, LPCC is an EMDR Specialist and Life Coach based in Rocky River, Ohio. She provides in-person support to the Lakewood, Westlake, and Bay Village communities, as well as Telehealth sessions throughout the state.
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