A Homebody’s Guide to the Outdoors

If you were to ask me if I consider myself to be an “outdoors” person, I would probably laugh a little before shaking my head. I’m a homebody through and through, and find I’m most content when I’m cozied up in our little living room and reading or working on one of my cozy hobbies. I find that I’m quick to get hot when I’m outside and am terribly prone to bug bites, but I have to admit that the times when I do step outside and take in my surroundings have a profound effect on my mood. You might not find me hiking a dusty trail or sunbathing, but you can find me enjoying the outdoors the following ways:

• Every morning, I grab a steaming cup of coffee and head outside with our dog to let her stretch her legs a bit after a long night of slumber. No matter the season, I let the sun shine on my face while I deeply inhale the aroma of freshly ground beans. On the days when the weather doesn’t permit, and I am forced to stay inside, I find it dampens my mood.
• Despite having never lived farther than 25 minutes from a beach, I don’t find myself there very often, but each time I go, I feel more peaceful than I do anywhere else. Though I may not want to don a swimsuit and dive under the waves, I love enjoying a simple meal or drinks at a seaside restaurant where I can feel the salty breeze and hear the water crashing down.
• I don’t have a green thumb. Any of my attempts at gardening have been downright unsuccessful that it’s become a running joke in my friend circle. Still, I love the sight of flowers and fresh greenery, so I occasionally visit the local outdoor nursery so I can take them in without causing them any harm.
• There is something so enchanting about walking through my neighborhood as the sun begins to set. Seeing cozy light streaming through windows makes me feel so cozy, and it’s even better if I’m able to catch the scent of dinner cooking in someone’s kitchen.
• Sure, I might usually be holed up inside, but I never hesitate to let the outside in. Thanks to our mild temperatures, I’m able to keep our windows open year-round, with the exception of the occasional rainy day. Seeing our curtains flutter in the breeze while hearing chirping from the birds who love the bush in front of our living room always makes me pause and take in the moment.

Maybe being an “outdoors” person doesn’t look the same way for me as it might for you. Much like most of my life, my version of outdoors is quiet, simple, and tied to the comforts of my home. I don’t need grand gestures to feel connected to nature, sometimes all it takes is taking one step outside my door and noticing all that surrounds me.

Continue savoring the quiet ways nature lifts you in our latest issue of Bella Grace magazine.