I like the "idea" of being outdoors
Quotation marks for emphasis on idea
Photogenic Bee-Davis, CA
All too often, it seems like a comforting stance. One that is rooted in pragmatism but at the same time it's idealistic. The idea of spending a day-off hiking or going camping as an alternative to going on vacations or browsing Instagram's explore page endlessly until you realize the sun is going down and you just laid in your bed for 3 hours. Why not take advantage of it more often? You burn calories, feel refreshed, and get some satisfaction that you went somewhere and did something productive for the day...all without spending much more money than gas and water (and maybe food).
So why is it something that many say they like to do but don't actually take advantage of it?
Because it's impractical
Here me out...
It's impractical to go in the opposite direction of civilization and walk around for a few hours, or to drive to the middle of nowhere just to sleep in a rudimentary shelter made out of fabric and sticks.
The cozy homes and apartments we're accustomed to with all the nearby amenities to go with them(15 minute drive away at most) is at least 5500 years in the making and helped along with the exponential technological growth of the last century. I have all that human progress to be thankful for when I'm rationalizing why I should finish the episode I'm streaming at 3 a.m. instead of you know...sleeping.
You have to go out of your way to do it, and that is why it is not practical.
In fact the idea of long outdoor musings is rooted in escapism and away from what is and is not practical, moving towards a place where time and entropy move slower...so that you may move slower. It's not enticing if you're already living this way in the built-world.
Do you need lots of willpower to take advantage of going outside more often? Nope. Just a little bit will suffice.
It just takes a goal
Most of the time I have actually gone and done activities outdoors, the focus was on a goal...it may not be something as bold as climbing half-dome (not likely to happen for me) or backpacking in dispersed areas of National Forests (a bit more realistic). It might be something as simple as hiking a mile to see a waterfall, or even going to a local park and walking around a trail. These things are simple, but usually in the end are rewarding...plus you get some exercise out of it.
Adding some activity to going outside makes it more enticing
It could be as adventurous as climbing or as simple as visiting a local park for a picnic. Add a destination and the journey would be sure to come with it.
I like the idea of being outside because it is always something that is there when you need a reference for a wholesome activity that could potentially make one more fit and robust without spending any money. The problem with that is that you have to actually....go outside.
As a self confessed lazy inside-person, I would love to make the transition to being outdoors more often but I'm stuck in bad habits.
If not for a goal or an idea for an activity, it might just end up in perpetual contemplation...as with anything, an idea is merely wasted potential if you don't act on it. You never know what kinds out hobbies or activities you get out of it that you might enjoy.
And Living Simple is still prefixed with the word living. Plan something outside this weekend. Unless its raining.
Photogenic Bee-Davis, CA
All too often, it seems like a comforting stance. One that is rooted in pragmatism but at the same time it's idealistic. The idea of spending a day-off hiking or going camping as an alternative to going on vacations or browsing Instagram's explore page endlessly until you realize the sun is going down and you just laid in your bed for 3 hours. Why not take advantage of it more often? You burn calories, feel refreshed, and get some satisfaction that you went somewhere and did something productive for the day...all without spending much more money than gas and water (and maybe food).
So why is it something that many say they like to do but don't actually take advantage of it?
Because it's impractical
Here me out...
It's impractical to go in the opposite direction of civilization and walk around for a few hours, or to drive to the middle of nowhere just to sleep in a rudimentary shelter made out of fabric and sticks.
The cozy homes and apartments we're accustomed to with all the nearby amenities to go with them(15 minute drive away at most) is at least 5500 years in the making and helped along with the exponential technological growth of the last century. I have all that human progress to be thankful for when I'm rationalizing why I should finish the episode I'm streaming at 3 a.m. instead of you know...sleeping.
You have to go out of your way to do it, and that is why it is not practical.
In fact the idea of long outdoor musings is rooted in escapism and away from what is and is not practical, moving towards a place where time and entropy move slower...so that you may move slower. It's not enticing if you're already living this way in the built-world.
Do you need lots of willpower to take advantage of going outside more often? Nope. Just a little bit will suffice.
It just takes a goal
Most of the time I have actually gone and done activities outdoors, the focus was on a goal...it may not be something as bold as climbing half-dome (not likely to happen for me) or backpacking in dispersed areas of National Forests (a bit more realistic). It might be something as simple as hiking a mile to see a waterfall, or even going to a local park and walking around a trail. These things are simple, but usually in the end are rewarding...plus you get some exercise out of it.
Adding some activity to going outside makes it more enticing
It could be as adventurous as climbing or as simple as visiting a local park for a picnic. Add a destination and the journey would be sure to come with it.
I like the idea of being outside because it is always something that is there when you need a reference for a wholesome activity that could potentially make one more fit and robust without spending any money. The problem with that is that you have to actually....go outside.
As a self confessed lazy inside-person, I would love to make the transition to being outdoors more often but I'm stuck in bad habits.
If not for a goal or an idea for an activity, it might just end up in perpetual contemplation...as with anything, an idea is merely wasted potential if you don't act on it. You never know what kinds out hobbies or activities you get out of it that you might enjoy.
And Living Simple is still prefixed with the word living. Plan something outside this weekend. Unless its raining.
