Living in the city has me outside several times a day to walk Guinness and explore downtown, but I haven’t been getting into the woods or onto the trails as much.
That changed this weekend and a little hike through changing leaves and brisk air inspired this mini-mission.
If you work indoors, or spend a bunch of time behind closed doors, take on today’s mini-mission and simply go outside. Fresh air, sunshine or raindrops, and a chance to stretch your body are all awesome side effects of going outside. Why not take advantage of it?
A fifteen minute break in your day to go outside won’t derail your work efforts. It will probably help. If you have trouble peeling your self away from what you are doing, or can’t think of a reason to go outside, try a scavenger photo hunt.
Scavenger photo hunt rules
Go outside and take pictures of something …
- red
- alive
- joyful
- reflective
- quiet
- moving
- that you are wearing
- geometric
Turning your focus towards seeing your surroundings will add to the benefits of going outside. Share your outside images to inspire your friends to go outside too.
For more experiments to simplify your life, read Mini-missions for Simplicity. It’s available on the Amazon Kindle store, but you don’t need a Kindle to read it. Kindle books can also be read using the Free Kindle Reader App for your Web Browser, PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android.
Amanda says
October 1, 2013 at 9:38 amI am now officially stepping away from the screen and talking a walk 🙂
Courtney Carver says
October 1, 2013 at 12:35 pmLove that!
Christy King says
October 1, 2013 at 9:49 amI love the scavenger hunt idea. I find taking a camera on a hike helps me see all sorts of things I’d probably miss otherwise, the leaf shadows on the path, pretty lichen, interesting shaped rocks…
Now if only it would stop storming here! We’ve had horrible (record-breaking) weather the past week, with lots of rain, wind and falling tree branches. As someone who’s lived in W. Oregon for more than 20 years, I’ve gotten used to be out in the rain (normally drizzle), but not in this. Ugh.
Courtney Carver says
October 1, 2013 at 12:35 pmSending you sunshine Christy.
Christy King says
October 4, 2013 at 5:31 pmThanks! It worked – we got some today 🙂
P.J. Murphy says
October 1, 2013 at 11:08 amThis is something I like to do in the fall as well. One of our favorite things to do the past few falls has been to spend a weekend day with the kids hiking trails and relaxing at a nearby winery.
I love this post and the scavenger photo hunt – the blue skies, changing scenery and fall weather make it too nice to spend time in doors!
Courtney Carver says
October 1, 2013 at 12:36 pmA nearby winery sounds lovely.
Thomas says
October 1, 2013 at 12:19 pmWhen I started reading your post I had the idea with the foto hunt and tada, there was your suggestion. Thank you for the reminder to escape from the “boxes” we live and work in from time to time! Possible to post best pictures here as an advertisement for enjoying nature?
Courtney Carver says
October 1, 2013 at 12:37 pmHi Thomas, I think the pictures will be better shared on Instagram or wherever you like to share images. Let’s spread the word!
Juhli says
October 1, 2013 at 12:28 pmI am reading this after taking the dog to a large park for a long walk around a small lake. It was lovely outside. I also walked to a class I take on Tuesday mornings as the day is so beautiful.
Courtney Carver says
October 1, 2013 at 12:37 pmGetting on my bike shortly to enjoy a beautiful day, but first a walk with the dog. Our furry friends keep us active and are so appreciative.
Sandra Pawula says
October 1, 2013 at 12:46 pmI just returned from a 20-minute walk before I read this! I’m making October my month of re-activating my good health agenda, and this is one way. Since I live in an area of farm lots, going outside here is more akin to being in nature. Dragon flies, butterflies, birds and exotic flowers. Thanks for the encouragement!
Sarita says
October 1, 2013 at 2:31 pmLive n so cal desert. It’s always nice when autumn arrives! Cool mornings and evenings make it nice to eat on the patio!
Anders Hasselstrøm says
October 1, 2013 at 2:51 pmHello Courtney,
Definitely some useful advice for a blogger :o)
Thanks for sharing,
Best,
Anders Hasselstrøm
MelD says
October 2, 2013 at 12:16 amLovely, I will do this – the scavenger hunt is an extra incentive.
Recently, I have increased my walking. To my surprise, I got out of breath very quickly. However, I assumed it was due to extra weight I’m carrying and so continued, thinking I’d just improve my fitness.
However, in the course of a routine check-up, I was found to be severely anaemic, life-threateningly so – therefore, a warning to those who do not take a walk easily in their stride: have your iron levels checked! Walking is becoming easier and more pleasant since I got treatment and my blood can keep up with me…
Karen T. says
October 3, 2013 at 5:28 amHi MelD! I’ve been putting off a routine checkup, so thanks for the reminder that it’s important! Hope you continue to feel more energized.
Cooler fall weather always makes me feel more alert. Summers are so long and hot here, we’re still having days in the 80’s. Evenings are getting cool sooner, though, and true fall weather is just around the corner. I can’t wait! Walking season is definitely on!
Karen @ Journey towards simplicity says
October 2, 2013 at 3:27 amgreat idea… and love the ease in the term “mini-mission”. Perhaps I will focus my outside efforts on finding pretty fallen leaves and pine cones to decorate my indoor spaces <3
Delicia says
October 2, 2013 at 6:35 amWonderful idea to broaden my photo walks, a scavenger photo hunt 🙂 gratitude to you, Courtney. x
Cheryl says
October 2, 2013 at 1:11 pmI don’t think I have done a scavenger hunt in at least 20 years! And just this evening I ate peanut butter and plum jam on homemade oat bread, flavors remembered from at least a decade ago. Life is the same, yet different, leaves are falling, coffee will be on the wood-fired stove in the morning and a walk is definitely in order!
Chris G. says
October 2, 2013 at 1:29 pmThis is a great idea when kids say they’re bored. My 2 both have iPods so they could do something creative plus spend time outside. Win-win.
Arthur says
October 19, 2013 at 9:33 amIt does somehow become harder to go outside when it gets colder. Need to change country! Costa Rica here I come. Is that count as outside? 😀
Heidi says
October 24, 2013 at 7:35 amI finally did this and it was kinda amazing! Took my friend along and she took photos as well. Very autumn-y around here again, since the first snow just melted away. The website link (name) points to my blogpost about the photo hunt (not in english, but the photos are there).
Claudine Harper says
September 1, 2014 at 10:54 amI read this today and shut down the computer, went out with nothing but my money, my headphones and phone (for music) and keys and a mack and just walked, with no destination in mind. I had a lovely energetic walk with my music and ended up in town after only 15 minutes and got an item I was needing from Oxfam (eco friendly washing up liquid that only they sell).
Whilst in there, I looked around and found a lovely cardi, and a gym top. I have been on the casual look out for cardis and jumpers since the weather changed and I don’t really have any. I got to the till and discovered all clothes were half price, so I got the cardi for £1.50 and gym top for the same price. I had a lovely walk and got my dinner on the way home. Thank you for this!