Published on | Prototyping: From UX to Front End — Medium Haroon Aslam Coyote Gulch, Utah

Overcome with exhaustion, a dizzying disarray dropped me to my knees. Asim, a dear friend, hurried over to create some reprieve from the heat — with water and shade. Here, in the deepest desert in Utah, my body was yielding to a heat stroke after days of arduous hiking. This, like any good story, was the perfect mid-point. As the hero looked more weary than wise, staring down certain defeat in the eyes of an adversary.

Like any good story, this setback triggered an upheaval in camaraderie and companionship that carried us through to victory. In the hours ahead, we scaled a 200ft cliff face with our bare hands to finally escape the desert. A feat we commemorated with the most incredible yet ordinary burgers, cool showers, and simple hotel beds. Utah, I’ll never forget you.

The Setup

I can tell you a few more stories of my days out in the wild, a number of which did not have the happiest of endings. But nonetheless, they are each a great story that I learned and grew from. We as people, aspire to live out the best of stories, vicariously through books, Instagram, movies, television, or even our very own career arc. In this, there is a remarkable lesson in how hiking is this perfect, self-contained story that teaches you so much about designing experiences that create happiness.

I was inspired to write this post by a recent episode of UC Berkeley’s The Science of Happiness podcast. It talked about a practice called “Savoring Walks” that teaches your mind to appreciate the pragmatism of the world around you. Naturally, I connected this practice to hiking. But, to take it a step further, I studied the hidden storytelling in hiking. There is a wonderful book by Ellen Lupton called Design is Storytelling, in which she talks about how the best experiences in our lives are designed as stories. Everything from advertising through to sports, good design is experienced across a span of time — that follows a beginning, middle, and an end. Sounds like a great hike, right?

Part 1: Designing a Hike

Every hike is a self-contained story. From the call to adventure, because your friends found an inspiring new country or your office work became monotonous. No matter the reason, your mind was waiting for an excuse to imagine a quest. You plan and prepare, till the moment you embark on your journey. You’ll meet characters along the way, some with trinkets and stories of their own. You’ll encounter obstacles, as timid as a river crossing or intimidating as nightfall. You’ll feel your body give out on you, and you’ll feel the moment where defeat is closer than victory. No matter, you will cross the threshold and your fellowship will fight on. You’ll endeavour on to the climax, savour the victory, and capture it on Instagram (this last step is optional, trust me). For people who hike, this is a beautiful and wonderfully familiar story. When it’s all said and done, the design of this story will always bring you to reprieve, utterly renewed.

Part 2: Science of Happiness

The science of happiness at play here is significant. By being out in the wild you are intrinsically shutting out the world that burdens you. You, like your favourite heroes in movies and films, now have a sole focus on your quest. For people who haven’t tried hiking, there is often an apathy you will develop towards the people who choose to put themselves out there at the whim of nature. This is why they do it — because for those moments, nothing else matters. Consider it a reset for your intellect, your emotions will thank you for it.

Ideas

I encourage you to design your own happiness. We put too much on our capacity and attention. Blending the science of mindfulness with a well designed story is a really powerful medium for you to find fulfillment. I think I just wrote a great tagline for hiking. Here’s a plan to build a great escape:

Decide
You have it in you to be your own hero, and tell your own story. Find the time to getaway. If the mountains are daunting, pick a national park in your neighborhood. I appreciate the idea of taking a daily walk, but that’s not a story worth telling.
Together
Do your best to convince compatriots to join you, for the constant in happiness is togetherness. Attention and time is a fickle thing these days, so be open to meeting new people. In and around many hikes, you’ll find like minded people waiting to join your fellowship. And yes — like any good story, don’t hike alone. Even James Bond has a team.
Prepare
Spontaneity has its place, but plan your quest. Think about your supplies and what will get you to your goal. This is a positive hardship that harkens back to our hunter/gatherer instincts.
Focus
Think about what you want to experience at the climax of your story — a great brownie, reading a book, or the one ring to cast in to Mount Doom. When was the last time you saw Luke Skywalker or Legolas stop in the middle of their journey to check their Instagram? Keep your attention on the experience at hand, the world will still be there when you return.

There are many ways to write your own story. You can apply this idea to any experience. For now, use this wisdom to your advantage, and get out there. And you will return home braver, wiser, and most importantly of all — happier.

Yosemite Falls, California<a href="https://medium.com/media/b85dfbb5286d8a25cf2e754b9462cf45/href">https://medium.com/media/b85dfbb5286d8a25cf2e754b9462cf45/href</a>

Designing Happiness: Hiking, A Storytelling Medium was originally published in Prototypr on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Designing Happiness: Hiking, A Storytelling Medium

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