Stop what you’re doing right now and go outside. 

If you just did, I can assume that without realizing it you smelled the freshly mowed grass, heard a few birds chirping, probably a car driving by, and a crunching sound of cicadas at your feet… You are in the middle of nature. 

Ever since I was a young kid, the minute I would get home from school I would go outside. Whether it was on the swings, riding my bike, or taking my dog on a walk, something about being outside completely turned my grumpy end-of-day school mood around.

So during the summer between middle school and high school, I thought…Why let this habit of mine die?

And so I didn’t.

I actually enjoy my few-minute walk from my car to school in the early hours of the morning. Without realizing it, I look at the living things around me and observe how things have changed from the day before. Next time you’re walking into school, you should put your phone down and look around, too. 

I do my homework outside. I eat lunch outside. And of course, I spend my weekends outside. The comforting nature gives me a refresher and time to reflect on my day. It reminds me of the little important things in life. Being outside is a free way to rebalance your emotions when stuck in high-pressure moments.

This weird habit of venturing out my door comes naturally to me, I don’t think twice about it. However, once outside, I’m faced with a challenge: now what should I do with my phone?

This distracting, mobile device is attached to me all the time. I spend a decent amount of time on social media every day, but not when I’m in the fresh air. I am still working to break this habit of scrolling on my phone while playing catch with my dog.

It’s hard to break the habit of spending time on your phone. I believe the easiest way to attempt breaking this habit is completely powering it off, leaving it inside, and running out your back door to look at the plants, laying in the sun, walking down the street, and then returning to your phone 20+ minutes later.

So this fanaticism of mine with nature leaves me with a lot of unanswered questions. What is the motivation and why do I like spending time outside so much?

I think it comes down to two things, I find peace and rejuvenation in the outdoors. Without trying, it shows me what life has to offer. So many alternative areas to spend your free time. School gets depressing and repetitive, my backyard does not.

Hearing the birds chirping, the wind gusting, bugs buzzing, and water trickling, is nostalgic and sentimental. It brings me back to my childhood days on the trampoline.

Since we are on the verge of adulthood and moving on to the next chapter of our lives, it is natural to feel drawn back to places you spent a lot of time in during your childhood.

As someone who has spent fifteen special years outside, if you know me, you know I love the warmth of the sun and the positivity it radiates.

I see the sun as physical positivity that pours into our souls when outside. It’s just like warm happiness seeping into our bodies.

You should go outside and listen to the natural world around you. As I’m sure it will calm you down, too. Immersing yourself in a habitat you aren’t totally familiar with can be uncomfortable. But I can promise you if you venture outdoors and lie down in the fresh green grass, you will feel comforted and content.

Connecting with living things other than people builds character. Looking at vibrant flowers in peace gives you the space for your imagination to wander. Stepping outside and doing this practice grants you time to be curious at least once a day. 

I urge you all to go outside and notice the things you won’t find anywhere else.