How do you capitalize on being outside when you go?

[petra]

How do you make the most of your jaunts into the outside world?

Comments

[petra]

Most of my excursions have been in the company of my SO, but have also included some companionable shutting up and listening to nature. We ventured far enough to get takeout food last week, which was exciting. We've also been visiting the local arboretum and observing the progress of spring on a weekly basis.

[desireearmfeldt]

Our 2nd floor apartment has front and back porches, so I've been making sure to get out on them when it's not raining. I've even spent a couple of recent spring-like mornings or afternoons working on the porch. We're in an urban suburb (densely settled, no lawns, sidewalks and small yards, all 3-story houses), so for a basically urban environment there are lots of trees and birds and squirrels, and bulbs are blooming in front of all the houses.

[petra]

That sounds pleasant. I'm glad you get to work on the porch on nice days.

[cynthia1960]

Just did a quick jaunt to my porch by the street to sniff the blossoms on my lime tree.

[petra]

Oo, nice! The only blossoms we have here are daffodils, hyacinth, and forsythia.

[angelofthenorth]

I walk a friend's dog. Friend has severe asthma and diabetes, so can't walk Doggins as much as Doggins would like (think up to 10 miles, the dog is a big mutt).

I have mapped my walks for other people on https://gb.mapometer.com - my user name is angelygogledd

[petra]

Aw, I'm glad Doggins has you as its extra human. That's a lot of walking.

[angelofthenorth]

Wen (aka Doggins, Muttfink, Muttley, Madame Mutterfly) is in this icon.

[petra]

Aww, adorable void Doggins!

[angelofthenorth]

She is actually a big dog (Golden 'doodle - Golden Retriever x Labradoodle) and an utter mutt of adorableness

[j00j]

oh wow Doggins sounds awesome I would be BFFs with Doggins.

[angelofthenorth]

I just uploaded an icon of Wen (doggins) sitting very nicely without her lead....

[dine]

my jaunts into the outside world aren't terribly exciting - I mostly organize trash to go out, hit the mailbox then drive for 20-30 minutes. not quite aimlessly, there's usually at least one intention goal (ATM, get a mocha, amazon return) and then on the way home I get food I didn't have to prepare. but just seeing something other than my apartment, and having the window down for fresh air for that 30 minutes, is awesome! and it's so amazing to note how traffic is so reduced

[petra]

Taking a short drive sounds like a relaxing thing. We've mostly been walking, and while it's good to get out of the house, you can't see that much of the world in a 2 mile walk from where I live.

[j00j]

Not getting bored of my walking routes is a challenge! I try to notice new things in my neighborhood-- I'm in the suburbs in an older part of the US, so there are weird tiny streets I haven't fully explored yet.
I make note of neighbors with political signs indicating they'd be good pals when quarantine is over (partner and I have considered leaving notes); people who have cute gardens, etc. And spring is a good time for things to be a little different each day.
Other family members haven't done as much walking around before now (I'm an avid pedestrian; they all drive, plus it's easier with less traffic), so I've enjoyed showing them weird little spots of interest I've found-- the favorite is a little abandoned cave/stone building I saw a bunch of teens partying in pre lockdown. Good to know where we'll be finding the kids when they're older! We may preemptively send an urban explorer friend down it when this is over.
Partner's wife and I drove their toddlers out to a nearby state park where there was more room to walk, and that outing was a welcome respite. And it felt so blessedly normal to drive somewhere different, have a specific objective, and then return!

[petra]

I agree that even little car trips feel like unlocking achievements, these days.

I'm impressed by the variety of places you're finding. It must be odd to reflect that they were always there, just a few steps from your house, but now you have occasion to discover them.

[illariy]

I take some uplifting music or some music that resonates me during my current mood. But I also make sure to take the headphones off at some point and just listen to the natural sounds surrounding me. I close my eyes and turn my face toward the sun like a sun flower. I make sure to lift my eyes up to the sky and watch whatever is there - the sky itself and its colour, clouds, the very occasional plane, a bird. I feel like watching the sky and feeling the sun (or rain) on my face recharges my soul. I also watch nature as much as possible. And I like to take walks next to bodies of water. I breathe in deeply. I try to be present in the moment and not let my thoughts stray too much to the past or the future.

Best wishes to everyone here! I love this comm. :-)

[petra]

What you're doing sounds a lot like the mindfulness practice I've been working with for years, made concrete and relevant to the current moment.

I live near a lake and we've found going and looking at it very soothing, even on days when my SO has been too sick to go for a walk. There's something relaxing about knowing the world is bigger than just yourself, for me, and nothing does that like looking at something that could swallow me whole and not notice.

Thank you so much for contributing to the community! We are only as good as the sum of our participants, after all.

[illariy]

Oooh, yes, lakes are awesome! I like to walk around ours a lot, too. It is an artificial lake but still has lots of wildlife. Yes, indeed for me it is also about realising the world is so much bigger than me and my little troubles.

Thank you for creating this community! I have and continue to find it a great resource. :-)

[noxidlp]

The last time I went out was about 2 weeks ago this Sunday, and honestly, it wasn't that good. I like in an extremely small town and have multiple cases here and I think if anything, I'm more observant of how others are acting. Is that weird? I took a drive to a local store to pick something up, went to drop it off to someone and honestly wished I had stayed in regardless of how tired I am of it (no one here really takes it seriously). I live in a multi-family house and someone in my building has tested positive, I've had a few symptoms myself on occasion, but pretty sure all is well since not persistent. Though, while getting out hasn't been that good on the few times I have, I still tried to make the best of it however hard it was.