Finding peace

Expectations create disappointment.
This is a phrase that I begrudgingly felt sort of defined my summer, through lack of planning, time, people, motivation, I reached August 7th feeling little content at the fulfillment of my 12 week holiday that was deemed to be the "best 12 weeks of my life".

It, along with a fear of Winter, Exam Results, growing up and expectations, had been getting me down for a while, feeling as though I had wasted my last chance at complete freedom and just hadn't made the most out of it.
I then found myself on the top of a hill in the wilderness of Northumberland with my closest friends as the sun melted away behind the expanse of rolling fields and my mind silenced.
It was after a weekend spent camping, eight 16 year-olds left to our own devices, doing things we all loved, getting 'back to basics'; collecting, firewood, walking, listening to music, chatting, laughing, eating barely-cooked food, taking photos. The boys had gone home and just the 4 girls remained.
We sat as the sun disappeared knowing that our two other friends were making a fire and cooking us supper because they knew how much we wanted to see the sun set.
"I feel so at peace" Hannah said to me.
And I realised that, in that moment, despite the irrationality that gnaws away at me daily, there was no where else in the world I would rather be.
I learned the importance of friendship; people who know you inside out, cook for you because they want you to see a sunset, lie in a cold tent until too late discussing our futility and don't care if you haven't showered in 4 days.
I also learned the importance of getting away, escaping the city, slowing the pace of life, living outdoors because I truly believe that is where we belong.
And finally, I learned the necessity of finding peace, with yourself and your surroundings. That the uncompromising hatred and pressure one places on themselves is destroying; that to live in the moment is the greatest place to be.
I, less than 2 days after returning, no longer adopt this golden peace but at least I know where to find it.
Where do you find peace?
Katie x

Currently: Listening: Glass Animals--Noah and the Whale--having a bit of a Hozier throwback (to last year haha)//Reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray--The Storied Life Of A.J Fikry//Loving: Going to the park in the evening//Lusting: Some new clothes// Wishing: The summer would never end