Prioritizing Time Alone in Nature

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How often do you spend time in nature all by yourself? Have you had that feeling you get when you are hiking by yourself and realize there may not be another soul for miles around? The one where you stop and take a deep breath and really feel your own energy in a way that you may not be able to when surrounded by people?

Whenever I do this, I remember things about myself and my true nature.IMG_20130629_090619

If you read my last post, you will know that I recently spent three days at Cape Disappointment on the Washington Coast. I hadn’t been on a solo trip for a while. Probably at least two years. No wonder I have been feeling more than a little stuck and bored.

My vision for my trip was that I would take a blanket out to the beach and relax for three days straight. That was what I thought I needed. Rest and relaxation. In reality, I needed something entirely different. I needed to be interested and engaged. I needed movement. I spent most of the trip hiking, checking out art installations, doing yoga on the beach and checking out the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

What I now know about myself:

  • I love adventure
  • I am not content to hang out all day on a blanket at the beach.
  • I love scrambling up muddy trails.
  • I love frogs and snakes.
  • It’s possible I could be so engaged in an interpretive center that I could spend almost three hours there.
  • Sometimes sleep is more important than seeing a sunset on the beach.

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  • I love walking through scary, dark, drippy tunnels.
  • I am in better physical shape than I thought.
  • It takes a lot of energy to be with people sometimes, and it’s nice to have a break.

I think time alone in nature is important. Nature helps us decompress from our increasingly pressured lives. So how can you make this happen for yourself? I was going to compile a list about how to make it happen, but you don’t need one. You already know how. I hope I can inspire you to make the time.IMG_20130629_195504

I remember reading once about the importance of finding a space in nature that you can visit daily. Your little space where you can truly immerse yourself. If you can find such a place close to your home, it will be more convenient to spend time there regularly. Spend 30 minutes there each day if you can and just notice what happens. Every day you might notice something different, especially as the seasons change. You will grow more connected to your natural environment and maybe yourself as well. If you already have such a space, I would love to hear about it in the comments.

I love heart shaped rocks.
I love heart shaped rocks.

 

3 Responses

  1. Ardis

    My alone space is my side garden. I have planted a splash of color and fragrances. Some days the bees and I share this space cautiously. I am a very lucky person to have the beach 50 yards away also. At night I can listen to the waves as they beckon me to sleep. Poodie 3

    • sweetveg

      That sounds lovely! I love that you are sharing it with the bees. 🙂