I have always lived in small towns. My childhood home in southeast Louisiana, though located in the suburbs, was on the edge of a nature preserve. The woods behind our house stretched on for miles before eventuating in a swamp. A variety of wildlife was home to the area including armadillos, opossums, turtles, hummingbirds, owls, fireflies, crickets, you name it. Once, we had to call animal control when an 8-foot alligator found its way into our backyard. Then, when my family moved to Florida in 2005, we traded our wooded forest for the pristine beaches and waters of the Emerald Coast. From then on, I spent my days soaked in sunshine and covered in sand.
I never had to seek time in nature. Anytime I walked out my front door, there it was.
I’ve always loved to be outside, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized how important time spent in nature truly is. I’ve spent the past 6 months living in San Jose, California, the third-largest city in the state, in a downtown, 200-square-foot studio apartment with one window and a bathroom so small that the only way two people can fit inside is if one of them stands in the shower.
The small size hasn’t bothered me, but the apparent removal from the natural world has been a challenge. I have found that my time inside is best supplemented by ample time outdoors - even if it means simply sitting outside at a sunny cafe. Thankfully, San Jose has a handful of nice local parks and is within driving distance of many beautiful open spaces in Northern California. With Tahoe to the north, Big Sur to the south, the Sierra Mountains to the east, and the beautiful California coast to the west, there is lots of outdoor exploration to be done.
The trials of self isolation.
California was one of the first states to begin issuing “shelter in place” orders in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. I was surprised at first to see the closure of many state and local parks, but recognize this as an attempt to dissuade people from public gatherings and keep us all safe.
However, after only two weeks of quarantining, I could feel myself going stir-crazy. I had never wanted to see the color green so desperately in my entire life. I felt guilty for taking my big, beautiful, childhood backyard for granted. I craved fresh air and sunshine.
But with the “shelter in place” order, I felt trapped. After doing a little research, however, I discovered that Santa Clara County does not prohibit residents from spending time outdoors. Though many city and state parks have been closed, some remain open and will continue to remain open as long as visitors adhere to social distancing standards and obey any and all facility closures.
An opportunity.
Just as cities and states are handling park closures on a case-by-case basis, so too is the National Park Service. While many National Parks have closed temporarily, I was discovered that a nearby National Park was still allowing overnight visitors, and I jumped at the chance to escape the “city life” for a little while.
Photo via visitcalifornia.com
2 days of bliss.
For the past two days, I woke up with the sun, listened to the sound of birds chirp in the morning, hiked on nature trails, birdwatched, sat by a campfire and gazed up at the stars. I had no internet connection and the only thing on my to-do list was to simply be.
Only overnight guests were allowed into the park, which kept the number of visitors to a minimum. What limited interaction I had with other people was kept to a safe 6-foot distance. There was an overall sense that everyone was there for the same reason: to escape the chaos of our current situation and simply find some peace.
The healing power of nature.
After only two days of being immersed in nature, I find myself now with an overwhelming sense of mental clarity, peace and motivation. In fact, studies have shown that time spent in nature produces real, measurable health benefits including stress relief, reduced inflammation, better eyesight, improved concentration, mental clarity, increased creativity, and so much more.
For two days, I didn’t think about my to-do lists, my obligations, my bills, or anything else that normally worries me. I let myself get lost in the sound of birds chirping and in watching the sunlight peek through the trees of the forest and sparkles on the water of the murmuring stream. I pondered life and the future, and found myself thinking a lot about how beautiful the natural world truly is.
While my brief sojourn in the California wilderness was beyond rejuvenating, I recognize that many people may not have access to green spaces or have the luxury of being able to venture off into the wilderness as I did. I find it important to clarify that I do not suggest the defiance of any “shelter in place” orders. However, if you are able to get outside, I strongly suggest you do so. Be sure to check with your local county and see what outdoor activities are safe and permitted in your area, even if it’s just a walk around the block.
“If You Can’t Go Out, Go In.”
This experience has reminded me that life is really about the simple things. It has shown me that there are small things we can all do to seek some solace our daily lives that don’t involve the outdoors. While the benefits of time spent in nature are real and powerful, so are the benefits of reading, meditation, yoga and overall mindfulness. As for me, I will be opening my one little window more often, and taking some time to sit in the sun anytime it peeks through the buildings. I’m making time to find peace within, and I encourage you to do the same.
Moving forward
My two-days in the California woods have left me with a familiar feeling. It’s the feeling that I get after I’ve been traveling in far away or exotic places - one of renewal and an overall zest for life. This has reminded me that we don’t always have to travel far and wide to achieve that feeling. If anything, all that’s required is a break from our daily routines and a bit of an adventurous spirit.
I can’t help but dream about all the places I’d like to visit once the world begins to resume some sense of normalcy. Suddenly though, I am feeling more motivated than ever to experience a simpler kind of travel and to explore places that aren’t so far-flung.
At the AstridTravel Club, we’re feeling inspired to set our destinations a little closer to home. With a stronger emphasis on United States - based travel, we hope to demonstrate not only how beautiful this country is, but how the benefits of travel can be achieved no matter how far from home you wander. We’re still choosing beautiful and unique cities around the world, but making an extra effort to incorporate time spent in nature, and other activities that improve our overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re able to get outside or not, I encourage you to take some time for yourself wherever you are in the world right now. And when the dust settles, I encourage you to get back out into the world and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. May we never again take for granted the embrace of a friend, our favorite bustling restaurants, or the bliss of nature.
As a lover of travel and adventure, Madeline was eager to join the Astrid Solo Travel Advisor team in 2018. Madeline works with the AstridTravel team to create new content for astridtravel.com, manage our marketing strategy, as well as coordinate and facilitate AstridTravel Club Trips. She is passionate about trying new things, having a curious mind and seeking joy wherever she goes. To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
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