Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
– Lao Tzu
In our current society, it is not rewarded to slow down and take time to enjoy the simple things. We often can get pulled into the belief that the more we seem to have on our plate, the more accomplished and successful we will become.
As a child, I grew up playing in the dirt, digging for worms and spending hours outside crafting imaginary scenarios of wonder and glory. As I grew older, my adventures turned towards attending Earth Adventures and 4-H Camp where I met others who also enjoyed similar interests. As I grew older, my interests started to turn toward shopping, sports and a constant stream of events on my calendar. Instead of loving spending time outdoors I was spending more and more time indoors in front of a TV, computer or phone.
Through college I started to slowly connect small moments with nature and started visiting trails in town. After I moved to Virginia, I discovered a deep love of the outdoors through hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. I started running just to spend the time outdoors exploring new neighborhoods, parks and trails. When I moved back to Missouri, I started to realize I was spending more time IN nature, but I wasn’t actually PRESENT in nature. As I trended towards creating a more mindful way of really being in the present moment, some habits helped me along the way towards this deeper connection with nature and a release from the need to multitask and have a full agenda.
Gardening
Play in the dirt and grow your own vegetables and fruit! Gardening is a great way to learn about nature, spend more time outside and bask in the fruitfulness of your own harvest. Local farmer’s markets and CSAs are a resource for getting started.
Hiking or taking walks in nature
Hit the trails whether in town or at a local state park or conservation area. There are a variety of trails for all skill levels and choose which lengths works best for you. Apps like AllTrails or Hiking Project are great resources to find out what is in your area.
Do yoga or exercise outside
Take your workouts outside. Slow down with yoga and practice breathing in the fresh air or get your sweat on and find a space for your usual exercise routine.
Nature indoors
Develop a love of houseplants and grow your green thumb. With so many to choose from, the options are endless even if you feel your thumb is brown. Bring a bouquet of flowers to freshen up your table or living room space.
Have a morning outdoor routine
Instead of sitting indoors while you enjoy your early AM routine, take it outside! Spend 10-15 minutes each morning sitting quietly on your porch or patio WITHOUT a phone.
Go to the beach or lake
Not a fan of the woods or trails? Spend time at the beach, lake or even a local river. Sit by the water and watch it flow past, pick up rocks, seashells or other items and learn their names. Watch a sunrise or sunset over the water and enjoy the present moment.
Go camping
Nothing beats a campfire and food cooked outside. Spend a weekend at a local campground or even your own backyard. Practice stepping away from the phone and connecting with the fresh air and your own surroundings. Find a camping spot through Recreation.gov or The Dyrt. Want a unique outdoor experience? HipCamp has a wide variety of options that include yurts and tiny homes.
Learn flora and fauna names
Connect with nature on a deeper level and start identifying the names of local birds, their calls, what trees grow in your area and even the plant life. Starting to learn the names of the flora/fauna will make the time spent in nature that much more special.
Spending time in nature does not have to feel daunting. Try one of these ways to reconnect with nature or create your own!