Wandering Where the Wi-Fi is Weak

Hello, friends!

As we start to count down the days left of warmer weather, I wanted to share some of my favorite benefits of being outside!

I’m a firm believer that some of the most spiritual experiences in life can happen when you’re outdoors and miles away from any religious service. Whether hiking a new trail or scoping out a space to hunt, venturing into the wilderness has helped shape and enrich my life in more ways than I count.

Knowing this, here are my top three reasons to get outside:

Offers perspective and prompts reflectiveness

While wandering where the Wi-Fi is weak may not sound appealing right away, you’ll quickly discover that the absence of technology coupled with the serenity of nature allows you to gain perspective on what is really important in life. In fact, a recent study notes more than 85 percent of women believe the outdoors positively affects mental and physical health, happiness and overall well-being. While it’s hard to compare the excitement and thrill that comes from hunting big game, discovering a new trail or reeling in a bass, it’s in those quiet moments between that I’m able pause, reflect and remind myself of all the positives in my life. 

Stimulates connectedness and invites unity
Spending time outside is a great way to connect with others and share your passions!

Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsperson or new to the world of outdoor adventure, the Bold North is a place that fosters genuine connections through one-on-one learning and face-to-face experiences. While exchanging our daily routines for a weekend getaway up north may seem isolating, the irony is that by unplugging together we’re actually giving ourselves the opportunity to be in community and truly live instead of just exist. 

Challenges comfort zones and builds self-confidence

For many outdoor activities, the prerequisites can seem daunting. There’s no doubt new experiences can be intimidating, but they’re so important for building character. Journey back to your childhood with me and relive the moments when you removed the training wheels from your bike or gave your first presentation in front of an audience – scary, but you did it! In the same way, embracing the outdoors simply requires a curiosity and willingness to try and the rest will eventually fall into place.

Don’t have a ton of time to get outside? Look no further than one of my favorite local places where I love to disappear into nature – the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden! Founded in 1907, the Wildflower Garden is the oldest public native plant garden in the United States. It’s a great place to walk, listen and hear nature sing back to you as it’s also a bird sanctuary. Plus, it’s only 5 to 10 mins from downtown!

All this to say, knowing we are creatures of habit and routine, it’s so important to be intentional about investing our time into things that stimulate growth and learning. So tell me, what’s your favorite part of embracing the uncharted territories of the back country?

Wildly Living Always,
Laura Schara