Author: evach1988

I am ordinary woman who decided turn over her life and from starting law career decided to be an artist, terapeut, traveler and ordinary human being instead.

Some Journeys Are Meant to Be Lived All at Once

Some journeys aren’t meant to be paused — they’re meant to be rather fully experienced, breathed in, and lived through in one flowing story. Finishing Abbey’s Way brought a strange mix of sadness and exhilaration. Over the course of nearly a year, I walked its winding path across shifting seasons, moods, and mindsets. Unlike other hikes I’ve done, this one felt different. It taught me differently. It offered insights I hadn’t expected, and gently asked for a kind of presence I wasn’t always able to give.

Breaking the walk into stages taught me something important: I don’t want to hike like that again. The momentum got lost, the magic faded between the pauses. There’s something powerful about pouring yourself fully into each step through blisters, storms, and all. But even with the stops and starts, there was a quiet gift in it. Time. Time to adjust to wild camping. Time away from everyday responsibilities. Time to grow confident in the untamed. That, too, was part of the lesson.

The ancient legends whispered from the ruins of the four abbeys and echoed along the trail, wrapping the path in a timeless story I now carry within me. It’s only now, with the final steps behind me, that the full story has come into view. Not just the story of Abbey’s Way, but the unfolding of my own journey too.

There’s a particular kind of magic in this landscape. It is the kind that inspired the first Scottish muse, that once pulled humans into the land of fairies. It’s a land of poets, storytellers, and dreamers. And I felt that magic more deeply with every step. Now, I know that was the true purpose of this walk: to reawaken the artist within me. The part that longs to write, paint, and create again.

Each stage was a chance to tell a story. A story rooted in experience, because only what is truly lived can be fully expressed. It’s just the beginning, but it’s the beginning I’ve been waiting for. Each part of the trail felt different, and each video I created helped me grow. That growth is most visible in the final video, the closing chapter of a journey that changed me.

I’m deeply grateful to the path itself and to the unseen companions, the fairies and forests, who joined me along the way. I hear you now. And I’m ready to let you speak.

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Facing Fear on the West Highland Way: A Journey into the Wild (and Myself)

“Some dreams wait patiently. Others push until you’re ready. The West Highland Way was both.”

‘The Dream That Sat on a Shelf‘

For years, I had romanticized the idea of walking the West Highland Way — a legendary long-distance trail stretching through the Scottish Highlands. During the pandemic, like many others, I started dreaming bigger while stuck indoors. I made a list of long-distance hikes, and at the top sat the West Highland Way. I even planned it out in detail… and then left it sitting on a shelf for two years.

Finally came the time I could make this dream a reality.

From Planning to Panic: When It Got Real

I had a freer week, the courage to commit, and a growing need to reconnect with something raw and real. I started planning seriously: mapping out the trail, calculating daily distances, booking time off work, and reserving campsites. The more tangible the plan became, the more real the challenge felt.

Suddenly, it wasn’t just a romantic idea. I was going to walk over 100 kilometers alone, carrying all my gear on my back. That realization hit hard. What would I pack? Could I handle the weight? Would I be safe on my own?

And there it was — the fear. Quiet, creeping, and relentless.

‘Wild Camping… Or Not Quite Yet‘

I had originally wanted to wild camp along the route. But the more I researched, the more unsure I became. Would I find a safe, discreet spot? Would I feel vulnerable alone in the wild? In the end, I filled even the final “let’s see what happens” night with a pre-booked campsite. I wasn’t ready to fully embrace wild camping — not yet.

Once I was actually on the trail, though, I quickly realized how many of those fears had been unnecessary. Still, facing the exposed landscape and unpredictable Scottish weather was no small thing. At the time, even staying in a tent at a site felt like a huge leap. But I also learned something important: it’s okay to take it step by step. Next time, wild camping will be part of my journey — I know that now.

‘Fear, Gear, and What-Ifs‘

The night before I left was the hardest part of the whole trip. My nerves were very present. Scotland might be my home now, but it’s still a land filled with unfamiliar corners — and I was about to walk through many of them, alone, for days.

I hadn’t pitched my tent before. I hadn’t tested sleeping in it. I had never hiked so far alone. And those questions started running wild:

  • What if something goes wrong?
  • What if I meet the wrong person?
  • What if I can’t handle the weather?
  • What if I just… can’t do it?

All the conditioning we carry — especially as women moving through the world alone — came rushing up. It wasn’t just fear of the unknown. It was the burden of a lifetime of “what ifs.”

It is not to say one shouldn’t be careful, but I realized something else that night: my mind tends to swing between extremes. I either overthink every single detail, or I leap in with barely a plan. With time, I’ve learned to find a middle ground — to prepare mindfully without letting fear take the wheel.

“I’ve learned that fear doesn’t mean I shouldn’t go — it means the journey matters.”

‘How I Deal with Fear (And Still Go Anyway)‘

So how do we move forward when fear shows up?

I’ve always felt deeply afraid before taking a leap. But I’ve also always jumped. That fear never fully goes away, but I’ve learned to listen to the quieter voice beneath it — the adventurous one, the curious one, the one who still believes in possibilities.

That night before my journey, I chose to listen to her.

Because she deserves to be heard.
Because she’s the part of me — and of all of us — that knows freedom.

And so, I went.

“We all carry fear. But we also carry the part of us that still wants to jump.”

You can find full story and more on my YouTube Channel -> @evainscotland

Connect with me on Instagram -> @evainscotland

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First SOLO camping in WINTER – How did it turn out?

In February I have attempted my very first winter camp SOLO.

I didn’t know what to expect and in all honesty I was a bit nervous. Only a week or two before storm Eowyn run through the region, it was still quite middle of winter which meant trees didn’t have any leaves yet, plus the path wasn’t heavily forested either and so I wasn’t sure I will find suitable safe enough place.

If curious, come with me to find out how it all turned out at the end.

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Solo Hiking 109km Borders Abbeys Way in Scotland

Another stage of long distance hike 109km Abbeys Way in Scottish Borders is done! This was one of those times when I really needed to go outdoors, but same time did not feel like going anywhere.

Usually I really enjoy recording, it helps me see the world around in different ways and process the experience afterwards, which is one of the reasons I actually really enjoy video creating. But this time I just really did not feel like doing so.

All have changed and turned around after first day, when I actually pushed myself going. One step at a time. Beautiful views, immersive environment and healing power of nature were absolutely present on this journey.

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Running 5k every day. Can it be done?

Since I had to stop last year due to sore heel for couple of months with no prospects of any long runs if any at all I had a hard time coming back to running. I tried to persuade myself it is a part of the journey and it is just temporary, but my willingness going for runs progressively declined.

Part of me, very proud part of me, who managed to run half marathon and was on the journey to the full one, was just sad. She didn’t want to stop running, she wanted to reach her goals and feel as she can and is capable doing so. She didn’t want to feel defeated, give up and start all over again.

I didn’t run for two months in hopes for my heel to heal. It got better, but as soon I have started running again pain came back as well. So although very reluctantly I had to start again from the beginnings. I had to change my already very stripped 10k run plan into 5k one.

Just few months ago I have run full twenty kilometres and now I run just ten five minutes and I feel tired?

What happened to my body?

This has been quite a mental challenge of going running, than few days processing the decline, persuading myself it is going to get better and running again. Sometimes unsure if the pain is normal or I just should stop all together. I tried to listen to my body, but same time not to make excuses for myself. As enjoyable runs still has been and helped me clear my head to somewhat extent it was just not what it once used to be. Fearful part of myself got to speak about my heel never getting better and proud part of myself just nagged me about never running marathon again.

Sometimes in the midst of it is hard to see things may ever got better.

Slowly, step by step I got to walk and run 5k.

My birthday came and I had a strong urge going outdoors as I was working all day. As we have longer light now I got to go to a forest for a quick 5k walk and run. It was a beautiful day and as I smelled pine trees around and heard birds singing I have decided this is the perfect time. Time to start running 5k every day for a year.

The idea was brewing in my head for quite some time, but I have been postponing it as I still didn’t feel ready for the challenge. When would I be though? What better time there is than mark it by my birthsday. I might not manage every single day, my injury might prevent me from doing so, but there is no harm to try and see. I can not run long distance runs this year, but maybe I can run (almost) every day distance I am capable to handle.

And see where it takes me…

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Feeling grounded in Scotland deepening lost connection

Visits to an old homeland are slowly turning from challenging experience, where I see slipping myself into old patterns, into opportunities to observe the person I have become and am still becoming.

Recently I have attended reunion from my high school after almost 20 years. We are supposed to have such reunion in 2 years and this was meant to be deciding how to make it happen, which I don’t think we got to actually plan, but that’s besides the point.

I haven’t seen some of the people for twenty long years. We all grew, aged, went through life experiences. We all changed in some ways and stayed the same in the others. It was an overwhelming yet joyful experience. I loved most of my high school years and I loved people who were part of it, despite our differences or disagreements. But I am not the same person I once used to be. Or maybe I appear to be on the outside how I behave, yet the inner me feels completely different and I wander how many of us experienced such throughout the evening.

One of my classmates asked me if I am looking forward to return to Scotland. I paused for a second. Yes, I definitely do, my life is here, this is my home now. I answered strangely even to myself, that I feel rooted or grounded here in Scotland.

What does it even mean?

I have had my ups and downs with this country, similarly as I have my ups and downs with Slovakia, but the truth is I feel connected to this land. I don’t know why and I find it strange at times, but that is the truth I feel in my heart. I am still not in the place I feel I am supposed to be, but spirit or call it what you will of this country brought me here, somewhat randomly.

It has never been my true intention to come here, yet since I was 18, looking back I see the path always leading here, no matter what direction I would take.

After a decade living here different struggles came to the surface.

I am realising I am and always will be in between two places, having two homes, one which shaped me and another one which helps me to become who I truly am. That is the root and connection I strongly feel here. When plane descends in Edinburgh and I see hills, the sea or bridges from the window, I feel immediate peace and calmness spreading through my body. I am still not sure what is the reason for me to be here, but I know this is the place helping me to figure it out.

Here I reconnected with nature on a level I don’t think I have ever experienced before.

I had moments in Slovakia, where I felt home in the hills and forests on countless trips I have experienced with my family, friends or throughout the school, but I don’t think I would be able to understand this deep connection if I wouldn’t come here. I am starting to recognise, that the deep connection I have with not only Scotland, but as well with my  birth country is forming miles away from it.

Life in the small town in Scottish countryside, is helping me to connect the dots, the places, all the experiences I went through into unique map of ones life, my life.

I surely loved the time spent in Edinburgh, but high cost of living, constant noise and business were my main struggles of past 5 years which prevented me to dig a bit deeper. Prevented me to reconnect with the part of myself which in bursts of energy was trying to speak while I was growing up and visited nature, when pandemic hit and now when I moved out of Edinburgh.

It is an authentic part of what does it mean to be woman or a man connected to this part of themselves. Our connection to the earth and nature. It is ancient vaguely remembered memory of our ancestors, wise intuitive women who were persecuted for the awareness of such connection. Awareness every woman possibly feels deep inside on conscious or subconscious level. Journey some of us feel pull towards very strongly, because society built on current values is disconnecting us all from ourselves – the nature we are.

I feel as by moving out of Edinburgh I have started a chapter of my life, where I can explore this connection deeper. Something I tried in past few years, but practicalities of life, constant rush and need earn living (which is still a struggle, but in different ways) were standing in the way of true deep connection found in solitude, in nature.

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Braving The Storm | Walking Along Long Distance Abbey’s Way In Heavy Rain

Another stage of infamous long distance hike Abbeys Way is done. This was not an easy one and I had to dig deep while conquering elements. Heavy rain would not leave me and there were moments when I wanted to turn around, yet that would help nothing as I would have to walk through it all once again.

Boggy landscape, completely soaked shoes and even waterproofs at the end of the day.

I set a camp hoping to have a peaceful night.

Come have a look how it all turned out and if I managed to finish second stage of the journey.

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Solo wild camping Borders Abbeys Way in Scotland

This was certainly another anxious wild camping, possibly due to the fact it was just my solo second time ever wild camp. Borders Abbeys Way is definitely overlooked above others scottish highlands long-distance paths, but it is definitely a beautiful walk to experience.

You encounter 4 beautiful ruins of abbeys on the path, which played crucial role in the region tried but many conflicts in between Scotland and England. The path follows the same path as it used to be used by monks, locals and by notorious reivers which made moving across the region quite dangerous. Luckily nowadays it is nice walk without concerns of being robbed or killed by any reivers who might jump out from surrounding forests or field.

Yet while walking it is certainly interesting to think about stories of people walking the path in the past. Come with me to experience this not only historical but as well adventurous path across Scottish Borders. I have done the walk in stages always doing one stage and wild camping over night, which can give an idea of the path through wild camper perspective.

Thank you so much for watching!!

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Solo hiking West Highland Way in Scotland

This trip was one of the most important things I have done in my entire life. I took me a while to process it and even longer to actually make this memory. I still haven’t even write a post here about it. It’s all coming it’s all in me waiting to be put out into the world, remember the amazing moments on this journey. But for now here is a video where I tried to capture the experience.

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My running strategy has to change

Last year in May I have run half a marathon. When comes to running journey it has been so far the biggest achievement and I knew there’s going to come a day when I will have to face an injury. I just didn’t know it’s going to be so soon.

Maybe I shouldn’t run the half marathon already as I experienced sores in my heel. I pushed through hoping that stretches will help, but the amount of running plus job mostly standing on my feet ultimately brought me to face the fact I will not be running marathon I have signed up for in autumn 2024 and maybe I won’t be running at all for a while.

After summer I stopped running for 2 months in hopes my feet will heel.

Running is one of few activities I have found to be helping me not only gain clarity but as well feel somewhat happy in past few years. It is a dopamine boost after all, sense of accomplishment and break from otherwise somewhat routine in life. Just thought of possibly not be capable doing such anymore was quite crushing. I still didn’t get over the fact even while writing these word.

I was very excited about new big dreams of running finally my first marathon in Scottish highlands and hopefully get into more trail running which could maybe ultimately lead to ultramarathons. The subtle pains in the heel intensifying as more I run made me realise once again I have to put my dreams on hold.

Patience with the plan is certainly one of the biggest lessons I am learning in this life.

I run 5k race over bridges in Edinburgh in November 2024 and sporadically have been running since, but I am still not able run straight full 5k when training. As soon I do so the pains are coming back. Still I was hoping to run the marathon in 2025, but I am starting to be realistic now that it will most likely not be possible.

Recently I have seen an interesting project of one YouTube creator (I try to find the source and reference) who run 5k every single day of the year. It made me think, that maybe I should stop focusing on distance this year, but rather on everyday activity.

I can not start with very first day of the year as I am still on the path of reaching 5k through Heart zone training, but I think now I have something to look forward to. Once I am finished with 5k training I would like to do this running challenge and run 5k every single day (unless hiking and camping). Just the habit of every single day movement would likely be a life changing experience.

So this is me thinking about plans for 2025 when comes to running.

What about you? What are your plans for the new year?

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