Avalanche Training, Embodiment, and Becoming More Outdoorsy Than I Ever Thought I’d Be
from Netflix hikes to snow pits, and everything in between
Avalanche Training, Embodiment, and Becoming More Outdoorsy Than I Ever Thought I’d Be
We went through avalanche training this weekend, and honestly… it was really fun and really hard. Like, no joke hard.
It’s one of those things where you sign up knowing it’s going to be intense, but until you’re actually out there, standing in the cold, digging snow pits, learning how fast things can go wrong, you don’t fully get it. It was humbling in the best way.
If you’re looking to book avalanche education, I can’t recommend Colorado Mountain School enough. The instructors created such a supportive environment for learning, no matter your level, and I walked away feeling like I genuinely learned something meaningful, not just checked a box.
Coming from New York to Colorado has been a transition in more ways than one. People here are… outdoorsy. Like, actually outdoorsy. There’s so much lived experience in this state when it comes to mountains, snow, and risk. One of my friends used to jokingly call people “Netflix hikers,” and honestly, I feel like I used to be one. Or maybe I still am, but I’m in the in-between phase. The transition phase.
And that’s kind of what this weekend highlighted for me.
Once you start learning about avalanches, you can’t unlearn it. You learn about weather patterns, different types of snow slabs, how layers form, what makes something unstable, and how quickly conditions can change. It makes you realize how much respect the mountains require, especially as we’ve become more outdoorsy lately. I call it the Colorado effect. You move here and suddenly you’re hiking more, skiing more, paying attention to things you never had to think about before.
It feels like I’m growing into the person I’m supposed to be here. More embodied. More in my body. More willing to actually get out there instead of just admiring it from afar.
And also… I still love cute outfits.
That came up for me this weekend more than I expected. There was this moment where I caught myself thinking about how silly it can feel to care about looking put together in an environment that’s so raw and real. And then I remembered something that’s been drilled into me since field hockey days. Middle school, high school, college. Look good, feel good, do good.
It’s never been about vanity. It’s about feeling put together in your body. When you feel put together, you move differently. You show up differently. That applies to sports, work, life, all of it. And I really believe you can hold that energy while also being in the wilderness.
You don’t need a full face of makeup or anything like that, but as the girlies know, SPF lives in our foundation and CC creams now. We’re not out here frying our skin. There are better products, better gear, better options that let you feel like yourself while still being practical and safe. You can care about how you feel and how you look without it taking away from the experience.
I’ve updated both my LTK and Amazon storefront with everything you’d need, from practical gear to the small comforts that actually matter out there.
Signing up for avalanche training took more guts than I expected. Mostly because it made me face how much I didn’t know. In New York, getting outside like this wasn’t as accessible. Here, it’s a way of life. And there are basics that you don’t even realize you’re missing until you’re standing in the snow with a shovel, learning how layered and complex the mountain actually is.
Now that the sun’s up later again, I feel like a different person. Lighter. More alive. More willing to keep leaning into this version of myself that wants both. The mountains and the embodiment. The grit and the glow. The learning curve and the cute fit.
I don’t think those things cancel each other out anymore. I think they’re part of the same becoming.
And with that, I can feel a rebrand coming on. Same girl, just learning herself more deeply.
More soon,
Jess ✺
New posts every Thursday at 6 PM MST ↓
Subscribe to The Bloomletter to unlock the rest
Join as a paid subscriber for full Thursday letters, behind-the-scenes practices, and exclusive member-only reflections.
As a member, you’ll receive:
Full-length Thursday letters with grounded tools, reflections, and rituals delivered weekly
Access to Energy Shares and a growing ecosystem of connection + community
Behind-the-scenes practices + guided exercises I use in my own healing and client work
Exclusive resources + first access to new planners, guides, and wellness creations
Member-only insights + reflections shared beyond the public space for deeper connection
Based in Denver, CO
Join the conversation: Instagram | TikTok | Substack | Linkedin
For brand partnerships, email us at info@vibrationalbloom.com
Share the energy.
When someone you refer books a session, you’ll receive 50% off your next one as a thank you for spreading the light.
This is such an inspiring post! I totally get the “Colorado effect” and how it pushes you to embrace the outdoors more fully. It’s amazing how learning about avalanches and mountain safety can deepen your connection with nature. And I love how you balance practicality with style, reminding us that looking good can enhance our experience without compromising safety. Your updated storefronts sound like a great resource for anyone looking to gear up for their adventures.