"Get outside" is more than just an item on a checklist

I admit, early on in my journey to sustainability and environmentalism, I was really into the "1000 Hours Outside" movement. The idea of getting my then 20-month-old toddler out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors ended up intensifying my own love of nature. (1KHO is kiiinda problematic now, though, considering the creator uses her platform to push unscientific and controversial views. At the time I joined the challenge, it was genuinely about one simple idea - logging 1000 hours outside within one year.)

I remember reading some FAQ posts on the 1KHO Instagram page, like "What counts toward my 1000 hours?", "Does driving with the windows down (looking at Christmas lights) count as being outdoors?", "Can I round up to 1 hour if we spent 35 minutes outside?", among others. I thought it was funny at the time - people finding ways to "cheat the system" and rack up hours in silly ways.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how absurd (and unfortunately common) it was to think like that. Why would you participate in a challenge about going outside and (re)discovering nature if you're just going to work around it to fill in some arbitrary chart? There's no prize at the end, there's no certificate of achievement to frame... what do these people gain from logging time outdoors that didn't actually happen? It felt very aligned with the social media mindset of "do it for the 'gram". Just going outside, standing around, killing time, and checking a box on a list. Oh, and snapping at least one aesthetic photo to share online.

Recently, I've been more cognizant about being in the moment especially when I'm outside. I try to follow my intuition and focus on what my mind/body needs from nature. It changes all the time - sometimes I take a walk on the woods, sometimes I add sticks & branches to a fairy house in my backyard, sometimes I just sit on the back porch and close my eyes for half a minute. My time outdoors isn't always inspirational or picture-worthy. It isn't always a grand adventure. But it's always what I needed at the moment.

We shouldn't treat "getting outside" as some kind of project that we're working toward completing (and then moving on from). Being in nature is an ongoing, integral part of who we are as humans. It's as critical to our development as eating, sleeping, and communicating. Without spending time connecting with nature and the outside world, we lose sight of who we are in this world, where we've come from, and where we're headed. Because of this, we need to take a deeper look at our individual relationships with our environment.

The next time you're immersed in nature, ask yourself:

• What do I notice? Take mental notes of your surroundings using all of your senses (even taste, if possible!)

• What do I feel drawn toward? Let your intuition guide your movement and thoughts.

• What other creatures are here? Do they notice you? How do they perceive you (a threat, neutral, a friend)?

• What is the history of this land? What did it look like before modern civilization came into play? What will it look like for our children and future generations?

• How do I want to remember this moment? There are several ways - photos, drawings, smells, memories, small mementos like a leaf or acorn cap.

These questions are meant to help build a deeper relationship with and enjoyment of the natural world around you. They are merely a starting point to get you focused on where you are and what you're surrounded by. And notice how none of these questions ask how long you've been outside or how many hours you've logged this week!

There are so many good books out there on our relationship with nature and earth. I highly recommend these few if you're interested in checking them out:

1. Something In The Woods Loves You by Jarod K. Anderson "An inspiring blend of nature writing and memoir that explores nature’s crucial role in our emotional and mental health." (TW: suicidal ideation)

2. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

   by Robin Wall Kimmerer "This is a book to focus the eyes, open the heart and stretch the imagination about our appropriate relationships within the natural world. As Kimmerer tells us, “We have to put our hands in the earth to make ourselves whole again.”"

3. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams "Delving into brand-new research, Williams uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and strengthen our relationships. As our modern lives shift dramatically indoors, these ideas—and the answers they yield—are more urgent than ever."

4. The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate - Discoveries from A Secret World by Peter Wohlleben "One of the most beloved books of our time: an illuminating account of the forest, and the science that shows us how trees communicate, feel, and live in social networks. After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again."

   
   

I plan to follow up on this blog post with more ideas on how to connect with nature - where to start, more questions to guide yourself, how to give back to the environment, and more. Enough for now, though - I'll be back at it again soon enough!

~Kristin