Out Here for This

#janueveryday

outside

“‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.’ - United States Postal Service”

- Amy Grass

I love being outside. Seriously, it’s just about my favorite thing. Camping is my ideal vacation, my preferred meal is enjoyed al fresco, and two primary reasons for the purchase of our home were its proximity to Tower Grove Park and a large backyard.

Even though my love for being outside runs deep, winter is a challenge. While I am not a postal worker (and a small bit of research has informed me that the aforementioned quote isn’t even the United States Postal Service’s official motto, I feel so misled), I love a good inspirational quote. St. Louis isn’t nearly the most extreme of the Midwestern cities for winter weather, but it is cold and gray much of these winter days. Even though I’m no courier, I found myself relating a bit to Newman in that episode of Seinfeld where he bailed on picking up a calzone for George because it was raining. “Work?” he questions, “It’s raining. I don’t work in the rain.” Listen, literally no one wants to be compared to Newman, the least of all me, so I took that unofficial USPS quote as a kick in the pants and made up my mind. This year would be different.

No more waiting winter out while dreaming of summer. It was time to embrace the outdoors in all her forms, and thus #janueverydayoutside was born. The premise, inspired by There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk, was simple: I was going to try to get outside every single day in January and post about it for accountability and encouragement. I made up the hashtag #janueverydayoutside (which is honestly quite clever if I do say so myself), and posted it to Instagram and Facebook, inviting others along. I was going to spend intentional time outdoors every day in January, whether that be a walk or run by myself, a walk with my kids, or a park play date.

“THIS YEAR WOULD BE DIFFERENT,” i SAID.

The premise was simple: I was going to try to get outside every single day in January and post about it for accountability and encouragement.

I started my month of outside time strong with a family hike at Emmenegger Nature Park on New Year’s Day. The days that followed included a trip to the zoo, park play dates with friends, weekly walks to the library, and neighborhood run and walks by myself. Another family hike was featured in the last week of January, this time at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. The activities varied, but every single day last month included intentional time outdoors. Many friends joined in as well, sharing their outside time and encouragement, so I think I might be an influencer now? #janueverydayoutside was a success!

Before beginning January, I assumed that more time spent outdoors would mean lots of driving out of the city to experience more “nature,” but it didn’t shake out like that at all. We spent most of our days right here in the city, enjoying the adventures available just outside our door. While exploratory play in nature and hiking is a wonderful way to get fresh air and exercise, we risk limiting ourselves if those are the only things we think of when we seek time outside. St. Louis is a great place for getting outside right where you are. I love that we live one mile from the library and can just as easily walk there as drive. For a greener landscape without leaving the city, Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden are excellent options. My kids and I enjoyed outside time on several days by simply playing our backyard, either splashing in puddles of rain, stomping through snow, or crunching ice blocks. 

“St. Louis is a great place for getting outside right where you are.”

#janueverydayoutside

Most of all, I enjoyed going on walks by myself through my neighborhood. Let’s be real: as a mom with small children, any time spent alone and out of my house is extremely valuable. The thing I learned most, though, is that time outside doesn’t always have to be productive. I most often use outdoor time to accomplish something: walks with the double stroller to a destination, exercise, or educational experiences for my kids. Taking a walk alone reminded me that being outside is a reward in itself. Walking cleared my head and gave me a few quiet moments in my otherwise noisy life. Even on cold, rainy, or snowy afternoons, I never once regretted getting out and moving my body for a bit. 

“I realized how grateful I am to live in a city where the outdoors are accessible in so many ways.

#janueverydayoutside

To celebrate the end of the month and the end of #janueverydayoutside, we spent the morning of January 31st downtown with friends. As I pushed my kids on the swing at Kiener Plaza with the Arch in view behind them, I realized how grateful I am to live in a city where the outdoors are accessible in so many ways.

Getting outside in the winter can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to spend the whole day outside, but getting out in the fresh air if even for a few minutes can make all the difference. Find a friend to join you and hold you accountable! Actually, I would love to be that friend for you!

St. Louis has a wealth of outdoor opportunities available and I am (out) here for it.

“Getting outside in the winter can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.”

#JANUEVERYDAYOUTSIDE