Maggie Slepian -- A Life of Adventure and Wilderness Writing

"I Nearly Died Drowning. Here's What It's Like to Survive." by Maggie Slepian

Published by Longreads, April 2, 2024

Genre: Outdoor Memoir

Format: Read via Longreads // Link Tree

I started this collage and read Slepian's essay months ago, and I've been chewing on it ever since. Adventure and growth involves being uncomfortable. I always strive to walk the fine line between discomfort and blatant stupidity.

Slepian moved to Montana to live a life of adventure and in the pursuit of being outdoors and connecting with the beauty there, sometimes, she crossed the line into dangerous situations.

After undergrad, I took a trip north of Chicago to visit a grad school I was considering. I took my mom. I took a friend. We explored Chicago. The school tour was fine. The campus had lovely trees. Then, we stopped at the train station to head back to the city, and I sat next to a girl on the bench. We made small talk. She had just attended the school tour, too, but she really wasn't into it because she had bigger plans. She was joining Peace Corps. My heart jumped. Jealousy? Kinship? I don't know, but I knew I wanted a "more" life. So, I got home from Chicago and joined Peace Corps.

This is another season like that, and Maggie is my girl on the bench. 

Following your heart is messy. It's never exactly what you thought it would be. I promise your journey will involve broken systems, broken people, and maybe even broken toilets. You will be cold, hot, sick, lonely, bored, tired, sad, homesick, scared. 

But you will build a life full of rich stories. You will encounter people who are also adventurers. You will survive, and you will be stronger for it. Or maybe, you will die, and you will die in the midst of your great adventure instead of on the couch.

Sometimes, I think we hold on too tightly to illusions. An illusion of a secure job, comfort, close ties to family. Don't let an illusion hold you back from following your heart.

That's all. Aim to continue growing as a better human. If not, what are you? 

Lovely Bit

"But no matter how many skills I picked up, my struggles with asthma meant I often fell behind."*

*I love this because it shows Maggie's character. She was not comfortable, but she is a tough woman who is picking up skills.

Thanks for the inspiration, Maggie!