Snow, Sleet, and the Stranger Who Saw Too Much
Sunday hit me hard. The weather was absolute garbage, that mix of snow, sleet, and gray sky that reminds us it's “November in the North Country.” I sat around the house all morning feeling sorry for myself, for no real reason. It’s that familiar seasonal funk that always seems to roll in with the cold.
Normally, I’d let it win. I’d sit there, scrolling my phone, grazing the pantry, and convincing myself it’s “just one of those days.” But this time, something in me said, not this year.
So I made a decision. If my mind wasn’t going to warm up on its own, I’d let my body do the talking and headed outside into the cold. It was 30 degrees, sleeting sideways, and I decided it was the perfect time to split some wood and stretch out by the fire.
cold exposure, climate adaptation. A little mental toughness training. What better time than during Men's Health Awareness Month.
About fifteen minutes in, I was soaked and shivering, but strangely enough, I started to feel alive again. The cold had a way of shaking me awake, forcing me to focus, breathe, and move. And then… came the twist.
Turns out, my wife had sold one of our kids’ jackets on Facebook Marketplace, and some poor guy showed up mid sleet to pick it up. So there I am, standing by a campfire, in brutal weather, swinging an axe, steam rolling off my head and this guy pulls up with the most confused look on his face.
I could see the thought cross his mind. “What the hell did I just walk into?”
But hey, this is the North Country. Crazier things have happened.
By the time I was done, my mood had completely shifted. I wasn’t tired or frustrated anymore. I was cold, sure, but I’d adapted. I’d pushed through that mental fog, and it felt good to know I still had control over my mindset.
That’s what Forge & Freedom is all about. It’s not just about the hikes, or the workouts, or the firewood. It’s about doing the hard, simple things that remind you who’s really in charge, you or your comfort zone.
So even if you’ve got nothing on the agenda… go outside. Chop wood. Breathe cold air. Feel uncomfortable.
Because it works. And if you need proof, well...consider me my own case study.
From the Forge 🔥
Zachary
