From the comfort zone to the jungle: how volunteering changed my life after 60

Sometimes, fate takes away your agenda, your responsibilities, and… your reason to get out of bed. After a life devoted to family and work, I found myself facing an emptiness and a crucial question: “What to do with all this freedom?”. The answer emerged, wild and unexpected: to embark on an adventure, more precisely, to become a volunteer in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. This story recounts my leap from the comfort zone to the canopy, the challenges, laughter, and revelations that transformed me well after my 60s. Get ready to discover how volunteering can reinvent a life, no matter the age.

When Silence Settles: The Loss of Purpose #

After decades wearing so many hats – mother, colleague, friend, conductor of daily life – life abruptly slows down. No more meetings, urgent calls, or family meals to prepare. One morning under a merciless gray sky, two canceled appointments became the symbol of the void that was setting in. Sitting there, a cup of lukewarm coffee in hand, I realized I was crying, not for those appointments, but for a lost mission.

Then, a thought slipped into the air thick with silence: why wait for someone to need me? Why not choose adventure, just for myself?

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Yearning for Wilderness: From Routine to the Primary Forest #

Forget cruises and spa retreats! I wanted real exoticism. That’s how I discovered volunteering with a conservation project in the Costa Rican jungle, on the doorstep of Panama, with Global Vision International. Observing wildlife, collecting data, living perched in a cabin amid the trees, all surrounded by young volunteers much younger than I.

My luggage? A camera, hiking boots, and a good dose of adrenaline. At 60, heading into the unknown alone was not just bold – it was exhilarating!

Mud Baptism: First Steps on Unfamiliar Ground #

Arriving in San José, with humid heat and exotic scents hitting me, a new life awaited. After a chaotic journey, a hike in the mud, an 18 kg backpack strapped on, and boots stuck in the sludge, every step was a challenge – but also a victory over myself.

The camp, built by the Bribri community, was anything but a palace: wooden terraces, screened walls, mosquito nets, and the jungle, ever-present. In the evening, the sound of rain on the leaves and the howler monkeys’ roars became my new lullaby.

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The Frenzied Rhythm of the Jungle #

From the first light, monkeys and toucans played the role of natural alarms. You quickly forget about the mirror when the priority becomes: hat, boots, and a smile on your lips. Forget elegance, focus on the essentials. After a revitalizing Costa Rican breakfast, each team dashed off on their mission: spotting birds, managing camera traps, or identifying frogs and snakes.

Life became simple, challenging (thanks to the humidity!), but above all, invigorating. Here, every step came with surprising discoveries, far from the artificial tumult of urban life.

The Reality… Less Instagrammable #

The jungle has its charms… and its quirks! I shared my “room” with a spider as stubborn as it was silent, and my first night trek was a trial: boots sucked into the mud, headlamp swarmed by insects, and massive owl butterflies just missing my hair. Along the way, red-eyed tarantulas were waiting for a misstep. But there was no question of turning back! With every step, I felt confidence, and even pride, embracing me.

Lessons and Solidarity Under the Waterfall #

An unforgettable moment was the hike to a majestic waterfall. The magical descent gave way to an almost caricatural ascent in difficulty. Halfway through, with aching legs and tears in my eyes, I feared I would slow down my team. But, surprise, everyone started singing “It Takes a Little to Be Happy” Disney style! Eager to help me, they proved that adventure is a collective experience.

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That day, I learned it’s not the age that matters, but the spirit.

A Physical and Mental Transformation #

Over the course of intense days, transformation was inevitable. Every morning began with long walks, glasses around my neck, camera in hand, bags filled with water and essentials. I crossed rivers, climbed hills, and splashed through mud, completely self-sufficient.

Upon my return, weighing my two bags, I realized I was carrying nearly 23 kg – half my weight! 5,000 km traveled, a thousand memories in my head, and the feeling of having rejuvenated by twenty years. My skin was glowing, my mind was clear, and, most importantly, my body shone with renewed capability.

I understood that I hadn’t merely ventured into the jungle: I had found myself.

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Lessons from the Tropical Forest #

The jungle imparts a precious lesson: simplicity, connection, awareness of the present moment. There, the superfluous shatters. Reconnecting with oneself also means reducing possessions, silencing notifications, savoring the birds’ song rather than the ping of an email.

No adventure is out of reach. All it takes is the courage to step out of your comfort zone to taste the magic of the world. To convince yourself, just take inspiration from advice like these to reinvent your vacation or even consider a transformative humanitarian trip.

Why It’s Never Too Late for a Solidarity Adventure #

To all those who think adventure and commitment belong to others, remember: courage knows no expiration date. The jungle taught me that we are all capable of going further, stronger, higher, no matter what your ID says.

So, slip a pair of boots into a suitcase, dare to take that step, and go experience a new freedom. Not only will you help the planet, but you will also give your life an unprecedented, extraordinary flavor. To prepare for your next leap into the unknown, let yourself be inspired by these good tips for responsible travel, discover how more and more travelers take on adventures with ever-crazier challenges, or imagine your own limitless vacation by picking from these original ideas.

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Ultimately, it’s never too late to change course. Real adventure is probably waiting where you have yet to dare to look.