Thank you for this. I had a horrible, no-good week last week and spent all weekend pushing it out of my head. On Monday I had the pleasure of sending the following recap of my Monday am walk to my boss:
"This morning I watched a HUGE flock of cedar waxwings sunning in the rising sun atop a tree, a flock of geese flew over into the sunrise, and had a whistling conversation with our resident bluebird who doesn't understand why he can't attack the bird in my car side mirror. I will not let anyone ruin my day today."
and I can tell you it works! (and I got an AMEN in return!)
And that right there—that's *exactly* what I mean when I say small outdoor habits can rewire your brain. Not because they erase hard things, but because they remind us who we are underneath the overwhelm. Brave. Observant. Alive. The kind of person who doesn’t let anyone ruin her day.
(Also, getting an “AMEN” from your boss? That’s just extra credit from the universe.)
I am of the baby boomer generation and we we’re taught to never never mixed business with our home life. We were told to keep our personal life personal. I was slightly disturbed to read what you sent your boss then I reflected on it and saw maybe the good that could come out of it. Still learning after all these years.!! Amen 🙂↔️
We start our days with a walk around our ranch. It wakes us up! I spend lots of time outdoors, and now that the sun is shining again, it’s time to take a good old fashioned book out on my porch and read! Thank you for sharing this Jill!
My pleasure of course. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to get off the couch and go outside where the birds sing, and crickets play their songs. ✨💖✨🤗
This morning, I started reading a post on Substack about creating rituals in the morning. I was excited to read it, only to find ads and a very privileged way of being that few have access to. It was discouraging. Then, I stumbled upon your post, and not only are your tips accessible to most, but they're REAL. They lead us to nature. They lead us to where we belong. They don't point us to apps or social media. It brightened my day and I am now a subscriber. Thanks for your writing. Please keep looking to the sky; I know I will.
Oh, I'm so glad! I, too, am glad. P.S. I picked up a pinecone on my walk this morning. I'm keeping it with me today as a reminder of nature, where we came from, and that this world is bigger than me. Great advice - thank you!
I love this. Thank you for putting into words what I feel in my heart. Almost a year ago, I began the habit of taking my morning coffee outside, doing nothing more than listening, breathing the air, feeling the breeze. I protect from the elements if necessary: wrapped in a blanket in the bitterly cold mornings of winter, or under the porch watching and smelling the rain. I can honestly say this little change to my old morning habit of emails with coffee has been transformational.
What a beautiful description of what it means to truly be with nature. I love how you’ve turned your morning coffee into a full-body experience: the breeze, the blanket, the scent of rain. It’s amazing how such a simple shift can feel so deeply transformational. Thank you for sharing this—it’s such a tender reminder that presence is powerful!
seriously. And walking is so EASY! I used to put pressure on myself to run or jog, making it a full workout (which is still great when I can do it), but I'm realizing that even when I don't have much time or I'm not up for a long run, just getting outside is still so wonderful.
Now I kinda want to move next door to you! What a beautiful way to experience the day—from cloud-watching to stargazing, book reading to dog joy. You’ve turned that deck into a little sanctuary—and it’s so inspiring to hear how deeply you’ve woven nature into your daily life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful rhythm.
I love this! Thank you so much. I used to drink my morning coffee on the deck no matter what the weather was like. I got away from it during the subzero temperatures of our winters in Wisconsin, but it’s time to do that again. Thanks for the reminder!
Wisconsin winters are no joke! But there’s something kind of badass about drinking your coffee while your eyelashes freeze. Love that this post nudged you back toward that little ritual. Nature doesn’t care if your coffee’s hot or your toes are cold—she’s always glad you showed up.
Stepping outside before I check my phone will be my focus this week! Thank you for such simple, but inspiring, choices to start making my days lighter and brighter!
This pretty much describes the way I start every day...well, after drinking coffee, reading, and writing in my journal. Having a strong willed little dog who loves to walk helps. I let her choose the route each day. She makes plenty of stops which affords many opportunities to look up, and I take advantage of them all!
Honestly, your dog might be the real MVP here—clearly she knows the value of a good meander and a few sky-gazing pit stops. And I’m loving your morning rhythm: coffee, reading, journaling, and letting your four-legged life coach choose the route. That’s the good stuff.
I absolutely love this. Thank you for sharing! I’ll be doing it all!! One day a couple months ago, before a necessary surgical procedure, I walked outside to a grassy area, took my socks and shoes off and walked in the frozen grass and bits of remaining snow. It instantly calmed and recentered me. All went well I was able to approach the procedure with a sense of calm and strength.
Wow, you are a true heroine, and I officially name you today’s Strong Female Protagonist. Hope your procedure went well (as someone who regularly gets shots in my eyes, I know how difficult these things can be).
I am so sorry I missed your reply and express extreme gratitude for it! Thank you for the honor of being a strong female protagonist. I am at a point in my life where I feel so much more awake and in touch with my true self. It’s time to honor all that. If only we came with an owners manual at birth which provided the wisdom and steps to take. But then… I suppose, we would never learn anything! Blessings and happiness to you Jill! My procedure went well and added a new layer to healthy living!
Thank you for this. I had a horrible, no-good week last week and spent all weekend pushing it out of my head. On Monday I had the pleasure of sending the following recap of my Monday am walk to my boss:
"This morning I watched a HUGE flock of cedar waxwings sunning in the rising sun atop a tree, a flock of geese flew over into the sunrise, and had a whistling conversation with our resident bluebird who doesn't understand why he can't attack the bird in my car side mirror. I will not let anyone ruin my day today."
and I can tell you it works! (and I got an AMEN in return!)
And that right there—that's *exactly* what I mean when I say small outdoor habits can rewire your brain. Not because they erase hard things, but because they remind us who we are underneath the overwhelm. Brave. Observant. Alive. The kind of person who doesn’t let anyone ruin her day.
(Also, getting an “AMEN” from your boss? That’s just extra credit from the universe.)
Interesting how we learn from each other.
I am of the baby boomer generation and we we’re taught to never never mixed business with our home life. We were told to keep our personal life personal. I was slightly disturbed to read what you sent your boss then I reflected on it and saw maybe the good that could come out of it. Still learning after all these years.!! Amen 🙂↔️
What a lovely response to read first thing this morning. Thoughtful, not at all defensive or lecture-y. This is why I love Substack!!
We start our days with a walk around our ranch. It wakes us up! I spend lots of time outdoors, and now that the sun is shining again, it’s time to take a good old fashioned book out on my porch and read! Thank you for sharing this Jill!
This sounds like my perfect day!! Glad you enjoyed it, I really appreciate the comment.
My pleasure of course. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to get off the couch and go outside where the birds sing, and crickets play their songs. ✨💖✨🤗
I love this! One of my "non-negotiables" is to get outside every day, even for just 5 minutes. Some sky and earth time is good for the body and soul.
You’re right—we can stack these experiences to make them even more powerful.
This morning, I started reading a post on Substack about creating rituals in the morning. I was excited to read it, only to find ads and a very privileged way of being that few have access to. It was discouraging. Then, I stumbled upon your post, and not only are your tips accessible to most, but they're REAL. They lead us to nature. They lead us to where we belong. They don't point us to apps or social media. It brightened my day and I am now a subscriber. Thanks for your writing. Please keep looking to the sky; I know I will.
Oh wow, you made my day! Glad that you found us ♥️
Oh, I'm so glad! I, too, am glad. P.S. I picked up a pinecone on my walk this morning. I'm keeping it with me today as a reminder of nature, where we came from, and that this world is bigger than me. Great advice - thank you!
I love this. Thank you for putting into words what I feel in my heart. Almost a year ago, I began the habit of taking my morning coffee outside, doing nothing more than listening, breathing the air, feeling the breeze. I protect from the elements if necessary: wrapped in a blanket in the bitterly cold mornings of winter, or under the porch watching and smelling the rain. I can honestly say this little change to my old morning habit of emails with coffee has been transformational.
What a beautiful description of what it means to truly be with nature. I love how you’ve turned your morning coffee into a full-body experience: the breeze, the blanket, the scent of rain. It’s amazing how such a simple shift can feel so deeply transformational. Thank you for sharing this—it’s such a tender reminder that presence is powerful!
Walking outside daily, even just for a few minutes, has completely changed my mood and productivity levels in a few short weeks.
It’s crazy how effective it is, right? Too bad most of us still put up such a fight.
seriously. And walking is so EASY! I used to put pressure on myself to run or jog, making it a full workout (which is still great when I can do it), but I'm realizing that even when I don't have much time or I'm not up for a long run, just getting outside is still so wonderful.
I take breaks on my west facing deck. During the day I look at the bright blue sky with white clouds floating along.
At sunset I marvel at the colors peeking through the trees.
After dark I gaze at the stars and think of my loved ones wherever they mat be in the world gazing at the sky.
And, when weather is nice, I read physical books there while our dogs play in fenced yard.
Now I kinda want to move next door to you! What a beautiful way to experience the day—from cloud-watching to stargazing, book reading to dog joy. You’ve turned that deck into a little sanctuary—and it’s so inspiring to hear how deeply you’ve woven nature into your daily life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful rhythm.
A house is for sale across my back yard with east facing deck and lots of trees. You can watch dogs in three fenced backyards.
I love this! Thank you so much. I used to drink my morning coffee on the deck no matter what the weather was like. I got away from it during the subzero temperatures of our winters in Wisconsin, but it’s time to do that again. Thanks for the reminder!
Wisconsin winters are no joke! But there’s something kind of badass about drinking your coffee while your eyelashes freeze. Love that this post nudged you back toward that little ritual. Nature doesn’t care if your coffee’s hot or your toes are cold—she’s always glad you showed up.
Sit with the weather! Snowy/rainy--skipped my walk, but three minutes I can do. Thank you! This is so valuable.
Sometimes the walk to the mailbox or a short game of fetch with my guide dog is all I can manage due to the weather. But that is enough.
Love this completely.
Wander walking. 💞
Thank you
I love to have my coffee outside watching the sunrise. It truly is a beautiful way to begin my day ♥️
Love this list so much! I am a big believer in being outside in nature for mental health but this takes it to a new, simplified level. Thank you!
Stepping outside before I check my phone will be my focus this week! Thank you for such simple, but inspiring, choices to start making my days lighter and brighter!
This pretty much describes the way I start every day...well, after drinking coffee, reading, and writing in my journal. Having a strong willed little dog who loves to walk helps. I let her choose the route each day. She makes plenty of stops which affords many opportunities to look up, and I take advantage of them all!
Honestly, your dog might be the real MVP here—clearly she knows the value of a good meander and a few sky-gazing pit stops. And I’m loving your morning rhythm: coffee, reading, journaling, and letting your four-legged life coach choose the route. That’s the good stuff.
I love the idea of Lacey as my life coach. We laugh that she rules our lives…but in a very good way I think!
I will attempt to make going outside to drink my morning coffee a habit. Thanks for the nudge.
Feels like a really good morning ritual, doesn’t it?
I absolutely love this. Thank you for sharing! I’ll be doing it all!! One day a couple months ago, before a necessary surgical procedure, I walked outside to a grassy area, took my socks and shoes off and walked in the frozen grass and bits of remaining snow. It instantly calmed and recentered me. All went well I was able to approach the procedure with a sense of calm and strength.
Wow, you are a true heroine, and I officially name you today’s Strong Female Protagonist. Hope your procedure went well (as someone who regularly gets shots in my eyes, I know how difficult these things can be).
I am so sorry I missed your reply and express extreme gratitude for it! Thank you for the honor of being a strong female protagonist. I am at a point in my life where I feel so much more awake and in touch with my true self. It’s time to honor all that. If only we came with an owners manual at birth which provided the wisdom and steps to take. But then… I suppose, we would never learn anything! Blessings and happiness to you Jill! My procedure went well and added a new layer to healthy living!