Fun In a Forrest
“I never have enjoyed going out into nature, what could possibly be interesting about it? Nothing is convenient, and I can’t play my game without fast internet! Not to mention all the bugs, YUCK!”
Do you know someone like that? Maybe you share some sentiments to this quote. Either way, having fun in a forest isn’t for everyone, just those who like to have a hands-on adventure, breathe fresher air, enjoy solitude or the company of close friends / family, and see things that many others will never get to enjoy. I enjoy the outdoors for the chance see things no-one else will have the chance to (still haven’t spotted Bigfoot).
I was camping out one morning by the river and awoke to see the most amazing sunrise. Opening my tent, I noticed how foggy it was (not just hazy eyes from the night before). As I was setting up for breakfast and coffee, I looked up toward the tree tops and saw the first peek of sunlight coming through the fog. The sunbeams through the leaves, rode the misty air as they danced to the ground. In awe of this beautiful event, I completely forgot to take a picture, but the experience was more than enough to leave a lasting impression in my mind.
Perhaps it’s moments like this that make nature so wonderful.
If waking up to something like this doesn’t excite you, please stay home. The rest of us will enjoy the high points of life out on the trail! Not to mention be in better physical shape.
Maybe the beauty of nature isn’t for everyone, but I’d bet that those same people are the ones who are “too busy”. They make excuses for not going out as often (I myself have been guilty of this for many years). So, what is keeping you from going outside more, or even camping for a night or two? My excuses for not getting out more include, but not limited to, Work hours (6 days a week), catching up on home chores (on my only day off), only being able to spend 4 hours a day enjoying life (or getting caught up on projects from last year), prior commitments to others (in between getting caught up), Feeling exhausted (from catching up, helping others, and only having a fraction of time for myself). Sound familiar?
Maybe getting into nature is exactly what you (and I) need to escape the mundanities for a while. There is magic in just sitting and listening to the animal sounds while tuning everything else out that is weighing you down. So let us plan an escape, maybe only once a week (to start) and only an hour max (to get the hang of relaxing and truly enjoy life). Once you realize the effects on your psyche and health, you will be able to see the benefits of “unplugging” from society for even a moment daily and begin to realize that work isn’t all there is to living and maybe, just maybe, you will want to seek out what it means to really live!
“So how do I have fun in a forest”?
“I’m so glad you asked”!
After you get used to having some free time (or as I call it, Really Living), you will want to expand your territory and find new things to see, smell, and touch. That’s where the forest is handy! It doesn’t need to be miles away (although for some, it can be). If you can see a tree that you can walk and sit under, if it has a trail nearby, then you are in nature! And the farther away from cities, towns and neighbors you get, the higher the quality of relaxation you may receive. Relaxing in nature feels “unnatural” to some who haven’t been able to “get out” for a while. Don’t let that deter you from enjoying life, just take it slowly and in moderation to get a good start for your living experience!
Now that you are finding out how awesome nature is, slow down even more to see “the details” along the trail. Look, there is a snail on that mossy tree trunk. Oh, listen to the water gently flowing over the creek stones and cascading into a pool where it flows slowly to its next destination. Listen to the scattering of leaves, was it a squirrel, deer, or another woodland creature? Smell the air, there is a calming effect from being on a woodland trail and breathing in less pollutants. Walk several paces and look around again. This time you are on the overlook of a small valley. How far can you see to the next hilltop? What new sounds can you hear that are near and far? What new scents can you smell in the air? It is up to you to find the answers.
Fun in a forest means several things to many people. Practice “leave no trace”, respect others out in nature as well and you will soon be enjoying a new “community” of people whom you would have never met otherwise. Fun in a forest has more to do with the peacefulness of it all. Not as much enjoyment if you are carrying a cell phone, radio, or other external noise device. Reflect on your life, not all at once, just look back on the previous day, week, or month. How can you improve your quality of life? Can you work less, live on less, impress those you can’t tolerate less, buy less “junk” and start purchasing more long lasting and functional items? Living on and for less is a major mind and lifestyle shift for many Americans. It can be done; the road less traveled will be easier when walking with what is only necessary! Fun in a forest is a mindset more than anything else. It is reflection of oneself and the choices that have been made over the years of life (not to be confused with years of living). So, get outside, enjoy the sunlight on your skin (please have some clothes on), walk on a dirt trail, smell the fresh air, drink from the well of life and enjoy every moment. You will then be Truly Living!
