MAKE TIME
The hardest part of your adventure is making the time to begin. But once you’ve spent even just a little while consciously engaging with nature the rest of the journey will follow easily...
Getting motivated can be a bit tricky at first. This is completely normal, you're not alone in finding it difficult. Not that long ago when we lived on the land we didn’t have to force ourselves to go outside, we were already there. But now we live complicated, busy lives and, let's admit it, we’ve taken our home comforts for granted a little.
You don’t need to go far to be in nature, indeed your own back garden could be the perfect place to start. Or venture a little further and find your nearest green space; park, field, towpath, woodland. You’ll start to notice plenty of natural places once you begin to look.
A good time to get outside is first thing in the morning, before the day has started and your mind gets busy. It's also a great time to see wildlife. After a long night, the birds will be out finding breakfast, butterflies might be warming themselves in the sun and other humans will still be waking up so you’ll have the wildlife to yourself.
Maybe you will be able to make time to engage with nature during the day. Perhaps take the longer route through the park on your way home from the office, leave a little early for the school run to sit by the river a while or take the opportunity to investigate the wildflowers growing out of the pavement while you wait for the bus.
Once you’ve made time to go outside, or if you’re walking the dog or out for a run, stop a while and engage with your surroundings. Take a few deep breaths, quieten your mind, engage your senses and notice what is happening around you. You’ve consciously set this time aside so let yourself enjoy it.