There’s something about being out in the wilderness that strips life down to its essence. No screens, no to-do lists, no noise — just you, your breath, and the next step forward.

Recently, I embarked on a five-day backcountry canoe trip in Algonquin Park. What was meant to be a restorative, adventurous getaway almost ended before it began.

On the very first day, my ankylosing spondylitis flared up — a condition I hadn’t experienced in years. I could barely walk or dress myself, let alone imagine paddling for hours and carrying a 45- to 50-pound pack and canoe over rugged trails and rocky terrain.

At that moment, the voice in my head said:
“There’s no way I can do this.”

But deep in the woods, there was no way to quit. The only way forward was through.

Leaning on the Live With Ease Principles

When life feels overwhelming, I always come back to three words I teach my clients — and, in this case, myself:

• Ground – Connect to the earth beneath you. Feel your feet and remember you are supported.
• Breathe – Use the breath to calm your nervous system and find your center.
• Move – Even when it feels impossible, take one step forward. Progress doesn’t have to be fast; it just has to be steady.

The first two days, my dear friend and Fireside Femmes sister, Lea, carried the canoe while I focused on simply moving forward.
Each step was accompanied by a strong exhale and the mantra:
“You’ve got this. Exhale. Breathe. Ground. One step at a time. Just take it slow.”

By the third day, I was portaging a full kilometer pausing only once. By the fifth day I portaged the same 1km hike without stopping AND without limping — a testament to what willpower, presence, and breath can do.

The Nervous System Connection

This experience wasn’t only physical. It was deeply neurological and emotional.

When pain and stress rise, our bodies naturally enter fight, flight, or freeze mode. In these states, our thoughts can spiral, and simple tasks can feel impossible.

By focusing on breath, grounding, and gentle self-talk, I was able to regulate my nervous system.

This helped me shift from survival mode into a state of strength and calm.
Every morning and evening, I practiced meditation and embodied mindful movement at camp — small rituals that allowed my body and mind to reset.

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Willpower and Perseverance

Building inner strength is like training a muscle. Here are some ways to practice before life throws you into the deep woods:

1. Pause and Ground Yourself
   Notice your breath and the feeling of your feet on the earth.
   Just three slow inhales and exhales can change your state.
2. Set a Micro-Goal
   When the journey feels too big, focus only on the next step, paddle stroke, or task.
3. Choose a Mantra
   Words matter. Choose a phrase like “I am grounded and trust my strength” or “One step at a time. I’ll get there when I get there. AND if I lean into this I will avoid making it worse.”
4. Notice Your State
   Are you in fight, flight, or freeze?
   Invite calm with slow breathing and body awareness.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
   Every bit of progress matters.
   Acknowledging it builds resilience and trust in yourself.

5 Exercises to Practice Perseverance

Here are a few simple exercises — mental and physical — to help you strengthen willpower in everyday life:

• Breath Ladder: Inhale for four counts, exhale for six. Slowly lengthen the exhale to calm your system.
• Walking Meditation: Move slowly, silently repeating, “I arrive. I am here.”Challenge Practice: Safely introduce discomfort, like a cold shower, while breathing steadily. This is a morning ritual for me that I’ve done for years and has made a huge impact on my mood and energy level. 
• Candle Gazing: Focus on a single point to train your mind’s focus and endurance – this practice offers a path to reconnect with our inner wisdom and find calm amidst the storm and opening the mind to infinite possibilities. I do this type of gazing practice with complex geometric patterns in a Pineal Gland Activation and Kaleidoscope meditation by Joe Dispenza.  Another game changer.
• Gentle Strength Sequence: A series of squats, lunges, or cat/cow into downward dog into cobra with mindful breathing to integrate mental and physical strength.

Closing Reflection

Remember practice makes progress.  Don’t expect a sustainable shift after one try.  Focus on a single practice for a while until it becomes habitual.  Then eventually add another.

Perseverance doesn’t mean pushing through pain blindly.
It means meeting yourself where you are, listening deeply, and moving forward with compassion.

Whether you’re on a forest trail or navigating life’s challenges, remember:
Ground. Breathe. Move.

Your body already knows the way forward. 🌱