Go Outside - Be Grateful
How do you find things to be grateful for when times are hard?
Can it be as simple as going outside?
Yes.
Let’s be honest just going outside is not going to magically change you life overnight - but I am 100% sure that, just like gratitude, it’s the simplest first step. Going outside can help you find things you are grateful for, and when you have enough you can start a morning gratitude practice, and then you can add something on to that, and something on to that. It’s all about taking the first step.
During the height of the pandemic quarantine the days seemed to melt together as I did the same thing over and over — all while stuck in my house — which now, looking back reminds me SO much of the baby and toddler years.
In those early years of parenthood if I didn’t have a routine things would get hairy - my toddler would be cranky or hangry, I wouldn’t be able to tell when the baby had his last bottle — you get the idea. But even now with older kids who are off at school I definitely regret the days that blur by while I remain deep inside routine and I didn’t step outside even once.
My solution? I have a garden that calls to me and requires my presence. If I am not caring for children, then I am caring for my plants - that is how I have motivated myself to get outside each day.
When you go outside everyday you instantly have something to add to your morning gratitude list - maybe you saw a beautiful cloud formation or a stray cat came by and let you pet it. It could just be meeting a new neighbor or a friendly hello from across the street. These things really do make a difference to our well-being.
Feeling resistance? Find the motivation you need by tailoring it to what makes you tick: Is it chatting with people? Hold happy hour on your front porch each Thursday. Is it giving back to people? Set up a food drive in your neighborhood, then go check the drop spots every day. Is it staying fit and active? Your exercise routine now requires a jogging stroller - time to hit up the classifieds on that mom’s group. Is it making beautiful things? Time for an interactive chalk mural in the front driveway. You get the idea, make sure that going outside does not become the last item on your list either and make sure it calls to you as fun and rewarding and get out there.