February 24, 2026
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.
Priscilla
March 23, 2026 at 10:04 am
I grew up in a rual community in the Deep South (we called it living in the country). As a child we were told to go outside and play during the sping and summer months. I love spending my time inside and it’s extremely hot from mid March until early November with a humidity of 1000 degrees most days, LOL! I like how you spend time outside without being out there for hours on end. I like to step out and roll the car windows down, so that I get a bit of sunshine too. Thank you for sharing more ways to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay there all day to do it.
Mitzi Dawkins
March 23, 2026 at 1:10 pm
Sounds heavenly! What area do you live in that allows you to have your windows open year round
Sharla
March 23, 2026 at 1:16 pm
It’s funny that you’ve mentioned these items that make you feel connected to the outdoors, because that has been on my mind lately. Many times, driving in to work, the sun is coming up and driving home at the end of a long day equals the setting sun- yes, it is beautiful- but I’m not able to enjoy it while taking a peaceful walk.
However, there are pockets of sunshine (or just outdoors) that I can create if I use my time better- a quick walk outside, around the square where I work, or parking in a spot that forces me to walk are small ways that I can get a dose of the air. It’s refreshing…. I need to identify more ways to enjoy the outdoors- like you have. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need to lift our mood.
Thanks for sharing. It’s made me pause and look for ways to better enjoy the outdoors. 😊
Deborah Geyer
March 23, 2026 at 1:22 pm
You have described My life to a ‘T’! Now add in the dogs, and off we go.😎
Lisa McClain
March 25, 2026 at 8:22 am
I thrifted a white lace curtain panel from the local churches thrift shop and hung it up over my living room window using a tension rod, i love to see the light cascading through the lace, its a vibe all on its own. My mother has Dementia and used to sew and create art while cleaning her room i keep finding ribbon in all different colors and lengths.. so I found a piece of driftwood and hung each piece of ribbon from the wood creating a ribbon mobile and hung it with the lace, as the light comes in through the lace it creates a gypsy-esc color scape. makes me smile every time I look at it.
Barbara W.
March 23, 2026 at 2:12 pm
This was lovely. I love being cozy indoors but I have always found nature so soothing except in the extreme temperatures. When there are extremes I still enjoy listening to the sounds of nature whether it be the howling winds of winter or the cicadas buzzing in the heat of summer. I love listening to the thunder and watching the lightning. I love an especially starry night. Or on winter watching the snow fall and glitter like diamonds on the snow drifts or the icicles shimmering in the bright winter sun. The list could go on and on.