Jaw-dropping landscapes aren’t just for desktop backgrounds. That’s why the most adventurous among us experience such a rush when we lace up our hiking boots and head outdoors. One of the many thrills of setting out on a new adventure is learning about the world and embracing the beauty of the unknown, whether it’s a mountain trail all the way across the country or a riverbank in your very own background. But we often don’t think about how the world can teach us about ourselves. Read on to find out three of the most astonishing things you can learn about yourself on your next adventure outdoors.

3 Things You Didn’t Know the Outdoors Could Teach You About Yourself

Nature can teach about the things you don’t even know about yourself.

First off, when you set out on an unfamiliar trail, you continuously explore new sights, learn new paths, and have new experiences. Embarking on a new adventure, in fact, may be better defined as braving the unknown. Likewise, the unknown of nature can remind us about what we have failed to unearth about ourselves. Just as there is an endless amount of world to explore, you can learn something new about yourself every day.

Nature can teach you about your strength.

When you are faced with a challenge, whether it’s an unexpected river to cross or an intimidating mountain you’ve never skied before, you tend to recognize the powerful force of nature. It’s easy to focus your attention on the difficulties that lie ahead and quickly become obsessed with strategizing a way to overcome them. We often fail to take this time to notice the strength that lies within us and the absolute resilience we already have that will push us through any obstacle – whether on our adventure or in everyday life.

Nature can teach us to notice the beauty in all parts of our lives.

When we set out to discover a new place, hike a new mountain, or follow a new trail, we often set out in search of the world’s beauty. We may find ourselves shocked or taken aback at the views before us. However, just as nature’s beauty can take our breath away, we fail to recognize the beauty that colors our lives, the beauty of the energy of those who fill it, and the beauty that radiates through us.

Remember these things the next time you find yourself lost on an adventure somewhere, and make an honest attempt to pay attention to what nature might be telling you. Whatever you discover just might take the breath right out of your lungs.