How to Ease Into Re-Entry

November 1, 2024 8:12 pm

Transitions are something we often experience on the river. We are constantly shifting from one place to another, making our way downstream. Often, we don’t fully realize how many transitions we’ve been through until we reach the takeout—the days that felt endless now seem to have passed in a blink.

There are two big moments of transition that we experience on river trips. The first is the moment we step into a river space, leaving behind our land-dwelling routines. In this moment, there is an important recognition to settle into – that this combination of people, place and environment can never be replicated again, and this trip is truly once in a lifetime. The second significant transition comes at the end, when we step out of that river space and community we cultivated and return to our everyday lives. We call this re-entry.

Re-entry can be a tender experience, one we need to approach with patience and understanding. On the river, we’re given the rare gift of disconnecting from phones, to-do lists, and the bustle of everyday life. Instead, we’re connected to the people, the present moment, and the landscape around us. Because of this slowed pace, returning to “normal” life can feel jarring.

The emotional impact of re-entry might hit us at the takeout, or it may come in waves over the following days. Re-integrating into daily life can be challenging to explain to friends and family who didn’t experience the journey with us. It may feel isolating or hard to explain even to ourselves. If you have experienced this, be gentle with yourself, know this is a normal feeling that we all feel, even us river guides who spend our whole summer in these places. Hold on to the moments that brought you joy, and try incorporating some of that slowed-down river pace into everyday life. Lean into the community you formed on the river, and know that the river will always remember you and lovingly welcome you back whenever you choose to revisit.

Here are some practices and ideas that can help with re-entry:

On The River

Pocket Moments | If you’ve been on a river trip with me, you may remember the idea of “pocket moments”. These are the moments in between the big moments that we want to put in our pockets and keep with us forever. They are the smaller moments that we often forget to be present in. Maybe it’s the light on the water as you paddle through calm stretches, the sound of a canyon wren in the morning, or a moment of laughter and silliness around the fire. Notice these moments, and reflect on them at the end of each day.

Journal | Take time throughout your trip to journal about your experiences and the places you’re discovering. We often forget how much we do on the river and the incredible places we pass through. Capture these “pocket moments” in your journal to relive them later.

Take Time for Yourself | River trips are social, and it’s easy to stay engaged with the group. But finding solitude is rare in our everyday lives, and it can be deeply fulfilling to connect with the landscape on your own terms.

After the River into Re-Entry

Look Back to Your Journal | Remember all those memories and day to day reflections you wrote down while you were on the river? When you’re home, revisit these entries to bring you back to the river and the memories you created.

Reach Out to Your River Community | You’ve shared a unique experience with the people on your trip, forming an incredibly special and lasting bond. Reach out, check-in and keep in touch – it’s a gentle reminder that you’re not alone in feeling this re-entry.

Disconnect from Your Phone | Our phones make us constantly accessible, with endless texts, emails, notifications and news headlines. On the river, we are disconnected from the internet or accessibility. You may have noticed, this provides a huge sense of relief and relaxation. Find time each day to disconnect, just as you did on the river.

Take Time to Be Outside | On the river, you’re immersed in nature, a connection we often lack in our daily indoor routines. Reconnect with that feeling by prioritizing time outside, even if it’s just a short walk. Remember how grounding it felt.

Come Back on Another Canyons Trip! | Once you’ve gone on a Canyons river trip, know that you are always a part of the Canyons family. After experiencing our trips, a little thought might have slipped into your head… this is what living really feels like. We’d love to see you back on the river, disconnected from life’s hustle, connected to yourself, others, and the landscape.

Kami