Hi,
These days, I’m feeling very thankful. We’re still just on a partial lockdown here in Minnesota, but already the world of just a week ago seems like the distant past.
I’ve written before about the benefits of slowing our lives down, but forced isolation in this age of the coronavirus is extreme for all of us. What I’m craving most isn’t the local coffee shop or even time with friends in person, it’s the connection to nature.
Spending time outside is scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety, and if there was ever a moment imbued with anxiety, it’s now. I’m worried I’m not keeping in touch with loved ones at risk as well as I could. I’m nervous about keeping my kids entertained and happy while I’m working from home. I’m frustrated I’m not able to do enough to help stave off the end of the world.
Thankfully, walking outdoors hasn’t yet been banned entirely where I live, but there are plenty of places where it has. In Italy, my colleague Irene was stopped this week by police and sent home while out with her son. In Spain and France, bicycling has been banned, even for recreation. My neighbourhood park is closed.
This is a surreal moment, and I’m having all kinds of surreal experiences lately.
A couple of days ago, I walked past my fish tank and my first thought was "I love you guys" – I genuinely think I’m starting to lose it, and it’s only been two days.
I wonder, will we get more attached to our pets now that we can’t interact in person with other humans? Will we start talking to our plants?
One of the first things I bought when it seemed like a lockdown was likely was several raised garden beds in my front yard. I’m more excited for this spring to come than I probably have ever been. It’s my hope that, wherever you are, you will remember the restorative effect that time in nature can still give you every single day, even if it’s just sitting by your locked window and taking a moment to notice the beauty of the trees outside. We need more time in nature, not less.
What are you doing to stay connected to nature right now? I’d love to hear about it in the contribution section.
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