4 lessons on overcoming challenges from a polar explorer

For more than 20 years, I have participated in trips to the most remote corners of the planet: from the Arctic ice to parts of the Antarctic, which have been visited by fewer people than on the moon. I spent a lot of time away from the rest of the world with no sources of communication. This was often due to circumstances beyond my control. I spent weeks hiding from the storm in a snow hole, pitching my tent on a block of ice drifting in the Arctic, and sitting under a kayak in the rainforest of the Amazon, waiting for the rain to end.

Contrary to popular belief, in such moments it is not physical resilience that helps out, but psychological. She helps to adapt to circumstances and find creative approaches even in isolation and loneliness. Here's what else it takes to get through tough times.

1. Don't get hung up on the end

The first thing many people ask about in a difficult situation is "When will this end?" Naturally, I want to quickly leave all the difficulties behind. But it's better to overestimate their duration and save yourself from unnecessary disappointments.

As a rule, I figure out how long it can go on, and then I multiply by two. In the beginning it is more useful to be pessimist. If, by chance, everything ends faster, you will have unexpected happiness.

To make it easier to deal with uncertainty, remind yourself that nothing in the world is permanent. Everything comes to an end. Any snow storm will come to an end sometime, the weather will change, and the sun will come out again.

2. Analyze the path traveled

In everyday life, our attention is constantly distracted by many factors, we are trying to do several things at once. Experiencing difficulties or finding ourselves in isolation, for example, in a tent during a thunderstorm, we get at our disposal the most valuable thing on earth - time. Take a moment to internalize the knowledge, think about how you got into the current situation, and make plans for how not to get into it again.

We do the same during the expedition: we study the map again, analyze the weather, think about how our decisions brought us to where we are now, and how to act so that this does not happen again in the future.

3. Miss you profitably

Boredom is the source of creativity. God was bored - and he created the world. Newton was lying on the grass and counting the raven when he saw a falling apple. You, too, do not neglect what this state can bring you. Pursue your hobbies.

In forced isolation, I always try to use the time to work my right brain. I write. I don't watch films, I make my own. During the quarantine period I worked in my home workshop: I made furniture and various household items, tried new techniques. Circumstances like this are the time to make mistakes and start over.

4. Take care of others

Thinking about and helping others will distract you from the self-obsession that develops in loneliness. It will be useful to everyone.

It is also a good opportunity to think about the environment and learn more about it. Nature continues to demonstrate how much stronger she is than humans. Why not make a connection and start take care of her?