The Adventure Dog Blog | Full Archive

THE ADVENTURE DOG BLOG

hello adventurers!

This is my story. Here, I share how discovering my freedom on the road with my dogs changed my life. You'll find a mix of personal blog posts and adventure dog resources. Read what calls to you, use what helps you on your journey, and thank you for visiting.

Adventure On,

Danielle

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Ruts, Realizations, and Returning to a 9 - 5

Danielle Lindblom

Oct 27, 2019
4 min

Ruts, Realizations, and Returning to a 9 - 5

October 27 and here I sit, in my boyfriend's kitchen, pondering how I arrived at this present situation. Here I sit, a newly returned corporate employee. Voluntarily reattaching ball and chain in exchange for piles of reliable income and some fancy health insurance. A failed entrepreneur? Perhaps. A calculated conscious decision? Yes. Once again miserable? You betcha. Hello turmoil, it's been too long. Let me catch you up. My last blog post was titled, "I don't want to be a

I Don't Want To Be A Dog Trainer Anymore

Danielle Lindblom

May 16, 2019
5 min

I Don't Want To Be A Dog Trainer Anymore

Awww, look how happy!! Big grins for me, Mica, and River. So cute. I remember the passion and vigor I had when I first graduated college and jumped into my corporate engineering leadership program fast track job. I was HUNGRY, man! Giant sponge. Learn all the things. Work hard. I remember how excited I was to discover Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement. An outlet for my analytical mind AND I can use my creative side, too? Awesome. Sign me up! I also remember when i

My Experience with Corporate America

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 18, 2019
7 min

My Experience with Corporate America

WOW! It's been a long time since I've reminisced on my "former life" in corporate land. But I was recently reminded that it was not all stress and politics and pressure and achievement and ladders. It was also friendships, growth, variety, experience, and camaraderie. It was special. And it made me who I am today. The picture above is of me graduating from the Manufacturing Leadership Program of Goodrich Aerospace. I'm being handed a lovely plaque by the amazing, indomitable

I Just Got Paid!!!

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 10, 2019
4 min

I Just Got Paid!!!

I feel the above picture accurately represents what it feels like to get a paycheck as a self-employed person. Pure JOY! Also coupled with wanting to fall down crying because by gawd you'll live to fight another day. Today is particularly joyous for me because I haven't gotten a paycheck in 3 pay cycles (I pay myself twice per month....when there are funds...) It's a GIANT freaking raw of sunlight in this dismal willnotend winter. This year, 2019, I began running both of my b

I'm Still Here

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 4, 2019
6 min

I'm Still Here

NOTE: This post is NOT a cry for help. This post is to help others who may be struggling by sharing my own story. Please do NOT contact me with concern, worry, or advice - it only stresses me out. I am safe. I just watched "I Am Maris" on Netflix, and I'm going to write as quickly as I possibly can so that I get this all out before I lose courage. Because for so long now, it's been much easier to simply exist (or try to). To keep it all inside. To hide. To pretend. To suppres

New Isn't Always Better - Fortitude Has Benefits

Danielle Lindblom

Dec 18, 2018
3 min

New Isn't Always Better - Fortitude Has Benefits

I couldn't decide between the two titles, so I kept both! I have "Shiny Object Syndrome." My coach says that I tend to jump from one new shiny thing to the next, and I rarely follow through. She's SO right. I've lived in 4 different states and moved 12 times since leaving home 11 years ago. My "flavor of the decade" hobbies have included horseback riding, partner dancing, dog training, dog sports, hiking, camping, traveling, life coaching, drawing, writing, reading, academics

Evolving as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Danielle Lindblom

Dec 5, 2018
3 min

Evolving as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

I certainly don't feel as plucky as I look in that picture right now. I'm sitting in a coffee shop, and I'm visibly cringing from all the noise, chaos, people, and jarring sounds. Even with my headphones on and relaxing music playing, this is not a good place for me to be right now. Every day isn't like this, thankfully. But some days I feel my sensitivity more acutely than others. Some days I get overstimulated easier than others. An amazing therapist helped me to self-diagn

I Made A Decision

Danielle Lindblom

Nov 14, 2018
4 min

I Made A Decision

A year and a half ago, March 2017, I made a decision. I'm not going back. Ever. That was one of the BIGGEST decisions I've made in my entire life. It was a conscious declaration that I was never going to be a part of Corporate America again. You see, in March of last year, I was laid off. And it was a blessing. I've come to see it as a final, uncomplicated severing of my old life and the fresh beginning of my new life. From that moment, I decided that I was going to work for

Labels and Badges of Honor

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 29, 2018
2 min

Labels and Badges of Honor

This is a picture of me next to the first tiny house I ever saw in person and stepped into. What a fun moment that was!! I want to talk briefly on labels and how we can turn them into badges of honor. If you're feeling stuck, disgruntled, or lost, this exercise can help you rediscover your purpose and bring some energy and life back even if you're not content where you are right now. You could (and oh how I have, again and again) say, "I am stuck. I am lost. I feel broken. I

I Almost Shut Down the Blog

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 19, 2018
4 min

I Almost Shut Down the Blog

I was so close. Really. I cancelled my website hosting subscription. It would have dropped the domain name (theadventuredogblog.com) and put it on a free wix generic domain. I wanted to keep the content available for people to use. The trail guides, the campsite guides. I think those are useful to fellow adventurers. But the pressure was just really getting to me. I needed a break, and to give myself permission to actually step away. To cut ties. I've since renewed my subscri

Just Do You

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 4, 2018
4 min

Just Do You

Should. Should. Should. Should. I have way more free time now than I used to. More than is healthy, I think. More than I know what to do with, certainly. I seem to be filling that free time with a lot of "should's" though. My therapist (and Brene Brown) says that "should is shame." That saying I should be doing this or should be doing that is shaming myself for not meeting my own expectations. Also, that is is bad. Doesn't make it any harder not to do. Especially when I'm goi

Take No Pictures, Capture the Magic

Danielle Lindblom

Oct 11, 2017
2 min

Take No Pictures, Capture the Magic

While in Colorado, I hiked an incredible trail in Arapaho National Forest. Rather than writing a trail guide, though, this post is about the experience. Something I myself often forget. I did something different, and I encourage you to follow suite on your next adventure. I woke up with the sun (and the Border Collies) and basked in the early morning hush that draped the campground. The air was crisp and the day full of possibilities. I had one thing on the agenda, though, an

This is Your Life. Are You Who You Want to Be?

Danielle Lindblom

Jun 27, 2017
4 min

This is Your Life. Are You Who You Want to Be?

It's been over three months since I was laid off from my corporate manufacturing engineering job. Currently, I'm propped up in my fluffy bed, two Border Collies lounging next to me, looking out my apartment window at a beautiful treeline. This could be any old Saturday, but today feels special. Today feels full of possibility. Because now, I'm making it. This month, everything is coming together. This month, it is the best, most successful month yet. This month, I've proven t

Craft Your Life Part 2: Downsizing & Dialing In

Danielle Lindblom

Apr 19, 2017
3 min

Craft Your Life Part 2: Downsizing & Dialing In

As I looked out at my packed-to-the-ceiling apartment, each square inch stuffed with stuff and no place to walk, I realized that my claim to minimalism was fiction. Granted, I had just downsized from a 3-bedroom house that included an attached garage, laundry room, outdoor shed, and a 3-season porch to a 1-bedroom apartment with a nook. I had already gotten rid of a considerable number of items in preparation for the move. Yet, this was a wake up call. That house had a ridicu

A Different Kind of Monday: That One Time I Got Laid Off

Danielle Lindblom

Mar 13, 2017
4 min

A Different Kind of Monday: That One Time I Got Laid Off

Today, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the dogs are ready to play, and I'm writing this blog. It is Monday. And I am not employed. But you know what else? I'm happy! Last Tuesday, I was let go from my then-day job in corporate America. I had meant to blog about it last week, but then it started to sink in. It's taken me almost a full week to just absorb the news and attempt to process everything. Today is the first day that I've woken up positive and happy and loo

The Adventure Dog Gal - 4 Months of Learning & Evolving

Danielle Lindblom

Jan 23, 2017
5 min

The Adventure Dog Gal - 4 Months of Learning & Evolving

Yeah, I'm the crazy lady in the photo above. Danielle by name. You might not know it, but 4 months ago this blog was only a thought on the back burner, barely an idea. Part of me can't believe it's been four months because it seems at once like it was yesterday and again like it's been ages. SO MUCH has changed and yet some things have remained constant. I want to share my journey with you. Maybe you'll find it inspiring and you'll be motivated to chase your dreams too! What'

Two Months of Blogging: Reflections

Danielle Lindblom

Dec 2, 2016
4 min

Two Months of Blogging: Reflections

River and her snoot say hello. Yee Haw! Two months, and I’m still going as strong as Day 1! This has been so much fun, and it’s incredible how many people I’ve met through writing. Learning more about myself has been one of my biggest takeaways, though. What I like, what I don’t like, and what I want to do going forward. Here's the low down. LIKES Leading Guided Hikes! Even though I’ve only had two people on each hike, I have loved getting to know other adventure dog owners,

Full Transparency: Why I Started This Blog & My Dreams for the Future

Danielle Lindblom

Nov 5, 2016
6 min

Full Transparency: Why I Started This Blog & My Dreams for the Future

The Adventure Dog Blog is now in its second month, and I could not be more thrilled! I am honestly loving every minute (except when I get frustrated with the interwebs) of writing, formatting, editing, photographing, networking, posting, and connecting with people. Just the other day, I figured out a bit of code and did a happy dance! I wanted to take a moment to reflect and to also share with YOU, my incredibly AWESOME readers, why I decided to start this endeavor. Warning:

Entering the Blogosphere

Oct 9, 2016
4 min

Entering the Blogosphere

Whoa. What? In the past week, I've had the thought many times, "What am I doing??"This is a big, brand new world for me, and it can be intimidating at times. However, I have also felt more alive, motivated, and fulfilled than I have in a long time. I've spent between 1 - 4 hours per day working on my blog. That time has been spent doing everything from writing to changing the design of the website, editing and improving my photos, doing research (SO MUCH) to build quality con