Slowing down and playing in nature is healing

We decided to work from the road the last few weeks so we could get a break form the urban jungle and integrate some nature into our life after being quarantined in our NYC apartment for the last four months. 

We had this idyllic vision that we’d work on our laptops while the kids played in the rivers and lakes behind the houses we had rented. 

Well, our kids weren’t so into our grand plan. They acted like we had concocted the most boring schedule on earth. 

Getting them to go outside to play in nature was like pulling teeth. (Except for my oldest son who was willing to hike 10+ miles a day which was hard to accommodate with a younger son who refuses to hike.) 

We were like deers in headlights, not understanding why they’d rather watch TV or play on their phones. 

I was not about to let my kids waste this opportunity after being holed up for 4 months on computers. 

So given that I had the flexibility in my work schedule I shuffled things around and “dragged" them outside each day for various adventures in nature. If I wanted them to engage outside, I had to model the behavior I wanted to see in them. 

It wasn’t easy but we had fun 95% of the time. 

In this particular Instagram video clip we debated for a while whether there was enough water to safely float down the mini rapid without injuring our sitting bones. 

My oldest son said “You’re a life coach, Mom, you're a master at managing your thoughts. You go first. You can be our sacrificial lamb.” 

I informed him it was not a matter of "managing my thoughts” and more about determining whether it was a safe versus stupid move! 🤣 For the record, it turned out to be lots of fun. 

It wasn’t easy making the decision to pivot in my work schedule the last few weeks and but I’m so grateful for the few weeks in nature. It was much needed nurturing for my soul and it got the creative juices flowing so I can better serve my clients. Slowing down and disconnecting for a while was exactly what I needed as well. 

If you’ve been feeling stuck and needing a break, give nature a try. I find water particularly soothing these days. 💦 Play around and figure out what outdoor activities (or non-activities!) rejuvenate you. You deserve it.

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