Nature is my drug of choice
Nature is my drug of choice
I was reading one of my favorite blogs yesterday morning. The author had written a post about nature being the very best cure for depression. I commented that I knew that was true for me, and always had been, even when I didn’t know it. When I was a little kid, I liked to go climb the mountain, or play in the wild places. It was all safe and OK to do that then. As a teenager in California, the beach and ocean calmed me. Teenagedom is full of angst anyway, but sitting in the sand and watching the waves was magical, and soothing. Over the years as an adult I have lived all over the west, camped in great and secluded places, and raised my boys to love nature too.
Being in quite, and beautiful places is all I need to recharge and be happy. When I would camp with my boys, I always had to find that out of the way hike, or camp spot. Then I could sit quietly, meditate, and feel better about the world.
Now, I am super lucky that I can spend most of my time living in nature. Finding small flowers while on a morning walk, enjoying all the little bits and pieces that nature has to offer, I love it. I especially enjoy a nice variety of nature, from the deserts to the mountains. It’s all so different, but very much the same.
When we have to go to the city for art shows to try and fund this wandering lifestyle, I miss it all. The birds singing, the coyotes howling, the stars so bright at night it’s unreal.
And the silence.
This is the creosote bush, blooming it’s tiny yellow flowers.
These are an evening blooming primrose. They are so delicate, and so very fragrant. The sweet smell they have is amazing. And heart shaped petals…..what’s better than that?!
Nature is a drug for me. It keeps me balanced, grounded, and happy. I imagine I will be the old lady people pass on the hiking trail at 80 years old, and I will just be happy to be there.
I would say my dogs feel the same way.
What about you?
Love this Mary and the fact that you have created the lifestyle that feeds you so much beauty and joy everyday. And yes, I have to say, definitely looks like your dogs agree! <3
Thanks for the mention!
Sweet doggie.. I love nature too.. lovely images. Have a happy day!
Nice post – all people need time in natural spaces I think.
You may find a book called “Nature Cure” by Richard Mabey a good read.
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne
Thanks Stewart, I will try to find it. Sounds like a good read.
I so agree. When I was a child (being an only child) living in a very dangerous environment in Los Angeles, my only refuge was the neighbor’s dog. Until I got my own dog, I sat with that dog and though there was a chain link fence between us, I could feel a very special bond. I know now that I ran to that dog every day after school to get away from the anxiety I felt in that rough place….and now, the silence in the air in my garden, or on the shore give me such peace. Yes, nature is the best because I believe we were meant to connect with the earth!
I think as kids we need those connections even more, and we don’t at that age really know why.
Indeed Nature sure has a way of making us feel in tune and at peace. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly
Mom doesn’t want to live secluded, she likes a suburban neighborhood but there is nothing better than going out in nature every day for a nice walk and or run. We love nature but couldn’t live out in it at this time. Beautiful photos once again.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thanks for sharing your thoughts here Mary. Its so sad when children grow up and never experience the joys of Mother Nature. There was a great joyness in skating on sidewalks when I was a kid but going to the beach and walking in sand or riding a horse on an adventurous trail ruled. my children were told by their father that if they listened and put their heads on the ground they could hear the earthworms digging under ground. The smells are grand of the land! Nothing sprayed with chemicals that are supposed to cover up the bad smells. Where we live you can smell the earth when it rains which is one of my favorite smells. My pet pev is noise!!!!! I can’t hear the silence unless we are in isolated places. The pictures of the flowers you took are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your drug of choice.
It is mine too. Not that I have the beauty that you have, but I have a different kind of beauty. I’m never happier than when I am with my dogs in the woods. Yesterday I took the dogs outside to potty, it was early morning, the yard was packed with snow, the quiet was broken by the chirping of the bird. I stood in the yard looking up at the sky and admiring the beauty of nature.
Everyone has their own place where they came from and know what they need to be happy now. It just takes an entire lifetime to learn it. Love Dolly
Ask me that question in the Spring lol. Normally, I agree with you……..but with our temps constantly barely even registering for over a week (we are in single digits as our “high”) I just might need a “drug of choice” to deal with them…..hehehe (kidding…sort of)
Gorgeous shots! Nature has a way of lifting my spirits too!
Spot on – well said!
i love the natural quiet of birds, wind, animals. i was not made for city life. :)
I couldn’t agree with you more! Being outdoors is essential to my mental well-being. Even living in suburbia as I do, I can find the little spots that soothe my soul.
I agree completely. Now all I need to do is extend my visits with natural areas to full-time residency and I’ll be where I belong. :)
Agreed…Climbing and hiking has done more for me than any drug ever could.
I agree! It is for me, too!
Nature is very calming and relaxing. I also remember as a kid loving to play in “wild” places. We had a piece of land out in the country we would regularly visit. It was just a lot of fun to play in the woods and I’d have to say that was always one of my favorite things to do :)
Same! Although I like the city just as much. I love the bustle of people, the sights and sounds and smells, the ability to do anything at any time whenever the urge strikes. Sometimes though I just need to get away!
Nature is my drug of choice too. Part of why I spend a fair bit of time outside everyday is that it keeps the blues at bay. Nature cures what ever aches within my heart.
A great post!
Nature is definitely my drug of choice too! Whether the beach or the desert, each has it’s own unique beauty. I love the sound of crashing waves, and I also love the smell of Creosote after a rainfall. Lovely pics, it’s pretty much Springtime here in the Southwest now.
Oh Mary, I went and read what your friend wrote. What a beautiful post that has also hit rather close to home for me. Your pictures today are just beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
What a great set of photos! You’re a very talented photographer, Mary!
God. I can SO relate to this post. I feel the same way Mary. Just beautiful.
Mary, I totally agree….nothing better, as I watch more snow come down while I type…:)JP
I totally agree. We have many, many windows in our house and that’s because we always want to feel like we’re outdoors, when we can’t be. I cannot understand people that live in the cities, I don’t get it at all. But that’s OK, it keeps the country quieter if they all gather there! :)
Gorgeous, Mary! This post did me some good – I’ve been staring out at a gray, snow-covered field for what feels like months. These beautiful flowers with their bright colors were just what I needed today!