a quick outing
There’s a lovely trail a mere five-minute drive from my home that I infrequently visit. When I do, the solace and beauty cause me to think Why don’t I walk this twice a week?!
Why do we gatekeep ourselves from enjoying life’s little pleasures? I cannot relay to you how often I settle for a quick loop around the neighborhood due to feeling pressured by time and duties rather than take the extra few minutes to drive to the trail near me to hike a short stint amongst the wildflowers. Too busy for a 10-minute round trip drive over to the local trail?!? I know, I know. Foolish. Unbelievable. Yet, this is still what I tell myself. How do I (we?) remedy that notion then?
In theory and on paper, it seems simple to prioritize time outside. Factoring the 10-minute drive to the trail tacked onto my easy 3 mile walk looks like nothing. In actuality, I get stuck at my computer telling myself just 10 more minutes on this or that task and then I’ll head out. Then, before you know it there’s a storm brewing or my window of opportunity between errands has dwindled to nil. Ok, if the simple addition to the to-do list doesn’t trick me into making it happen, then what will?
Shifting what time of day I get outside holds potential for keeping me accountable. Rather than peel out in the afternoon to squeeze in a trek along this gorgeous trail in the sunshine, what if I leisurely drove over upon waking? Two important factors: 1) I’m terrified of wildlife rush hour and 2) I adore overindulging in my morning ritual of sipping coffee/tea on the porch with my face towards the sunrise like a sunflower.
Alright, fine you say; that’s important too. What about right after that? Finally, what if you make like a Nike ad campaign and just do it? Seriously. What does it take to convince you to do the things you love? Why so much overthinking? Block out getting over to that trail on your calendar and hold yourself accountable. Why is that so hard? You’re right. Or as Gen Z states so easily, true true.
Six images of wildflowers from left to right top to bottom: soft purple blue lupine, royal blue star-shaped larkspur, bright yellow wild violets, pink prairie smoke heads dangling over grass, fuchsia shooting stars, and light blue wild violets.
In conclusion, my many excuses are exactly that…lame. I am determined to hit this trail twice a week all summer, if only to check on the wildflower situation (all the wildflowers can be found in the first 1.5 miles so a 3-mile round trip is easy to accomplish). Maybe this year will be the summer I finally run the entire 7 miles of out and back. Here’s to hoping I stop gatekeeping my own blissful joy and just get. out. there. Also, here’s to you being able to figure out how to do the same.