Nature helps us navigate through emotions.
I think everyone can agree that these last couple of years have really tested our mental health and patience for situations. Life has a funny way of presenting gratitude through grief, but it really makes you stop and appreciate all of the little moment’s life has to offer. Personally, I have been tested more in these last few months than I believe I ever have, and yet at the same time I am eternally grateful for the glimmer of hope that outshines the darkness. I am someone that really needs to reset in times of darkness and for me the best way to do that is to get out into nature.
My fiancé and I went camping recently and we decided to go on a walk to check out the surrounding areas. After splashing our way through little creeks, we stumbled upon an open pasture with the most beautiful view of the changing leaves on the birch trees and the snow-capped mountains. I stood there in awe of nature’s art and took in every moment of the crisp autumn air lightly dancing around my cheeks. I took in as much mountain air as my lungs could take, and it was in that moment that I had the thought that was about to accelerate my mental reset. Everything I had gone through in the last year has led me to this specific moment. The moment where I am no longer bitter for the situations or experiences that I could not control, but that I am so full of gratitude that I get to experience such beautiful moments I will cherish forever. These are the types of moments that give me the mental reset I need to continue to appreciate the good times through the bad.
I am an extremely positive person when it comes to other people. I have no problem pointing out the good in the bad in situations, but when it comes to my own, I tend to be more negative. This is something that I have really tried to work on the last couple of months, and this camping trip is exactly what I needed to finally process and navigate positivity through negativity. I’m not saying the negative thoughts completely vanished, but I have stopped asking why this certain experiences happen to me. I stopped questioning if I reacted appropriately or if I rushed myself to find something to fill the void of grief. Truth is, nothing may ever fill that void, but breathing in that fresh air brought so much clarity to the way I thought and continue to think about my grief.
I hope the photos of my camping trip fill you with as much joy as it did for me!
Allie, thank you for sharing your emotional journey with such honesty. I ‘ve also come to many realizations over the last five years of my life specifically shifting my focus from drowning myself into my grief to appreciating the many blessings I walked away with through my grieving process. It’s not easy at all; it’s heart breaking and it ignites many untouched emotions but staying grateful helps us to move forward to be a better version of ourselves.
Allie, I love how you make the connection between gratitude and grief. It’s not something that’s been discussed a lot – at least not in my opinion. I think you’re right in that grief gives us perspective and wisdom through the trial that helps us become grateful for who we become after the fire.
You express compassion and honesty in a way that’s very inviting. I will think of your nature experience as I enjoy my walks in the cold crisp Michigan air.
Thanks for the tips Allie. I have never camped and this article certainly makes me re-think my decision. But I can agree with what you say – the fresh air circulating old thoughts to make us forget about the small, immaterial mistakes and experiences.