Remember When Being Outside Was FUN?
When I was little, my dad would take me to the skating rink up the street (I lived near Montreal where we still had outdoor rinks – in the pre-climate change days). He taught me and my brothers how to ski by taking us to a local park with some gentle hills – no tows. We learned how to walk up the hills, and then ski down. At the bottom, we just headed back up again. When we were a bit older, my dad would load us in the car and we would head out to the Laurentians to ski. Being outdoors was so much FUN!
In the summer, we would hop on our bikes and head to the park where they had organized activities for the neighbourhood kids – games of dodgeball and tag, playing on the swings. After lunch, back on the bikes to the municipal swimming pool for the afternoon. Or, off to the tennis court with some friends. Being outdoors was so much FUN!
I don’t remember when “fun” became something known as “exercise”.
To me, fun implies spontaneity. Exercise seems like something that is planned and deliberate, something that “should” be done, somebody else’s idea of a good way to spend time, something directed.
What happened?
Well, we grew older and had responsibilities and obligations. More stress, less time. We worried about gaining weight and figured a good way to do that would be to “exercise”. Effective and efficient perhaps, but not always fun. Getting outside to do something fun had to be scheduled, and then often it was overshadowed by other stresses – “if I go skiing on Saturday, when do I go grocery shopping?”. The fun factor fades.
I think it’s time to rediscover the joy of being outdoors.
Outdoor play got children active, it encouraged creativity, imagination, and social interaction, leading to holistic development. This same is true for adults.
The Magic of Exploration
Think back to the thrill of exploring unknown terrain, from treehouses to secret hideouts. Travelling and being outdoors can unleash your inner child and help you seek out new adventures in nature. Recapture the sense of wonder that comes with discovering hidden treasures in the great outdoors.
Treasures such as the color of the water of a lake as you round a bend…
…or the scenery reflected in a still lake;
…seeing mountains
…and jungles,
….and colourful flowers and trees.
You don’t have to go far to see beautiful natural scenery.
Sounds are special too, such as the sound of local birds as you stare at the sunset,
…or listening to a waterfall.
Seeing thousands of puffins is cool too.
Sometimes it’s just fun to stop and look at things – here we stopped to see if the sundial told the right time (it did!).
And then there’s the smells that can’t be captured in a photo – hyacinths! Food!
Wow – so much to experience when you are outdoors!
Connect with Nature
Embracing the outdoors allows for a deeper connection with nature. When you are hiking or cycling, you feel the earth beneath your feet, you can listen to the rustling of leaves, or marvel at the beauty of a sunset. Nature offers a sense of peace and tranquility that cannot be replicated indoors.
Reinforcing Social Bonds
Being outdoors fosters social interaction and cooperation. From local hikes to international cycling excursions, these shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen relationships. Outdoor activities such as these allow you to unplug and engage in meaningful connections with friends and family.
Overcoming Challenges
Just as in childhood, outdoor play presents challenges that encourage growth and resilience. Riding a challenging hill or navigating a winding trail reminds you about perseverance and the feeling of accomplishment.
Reviving the Joy
In our quest for productivity and efficiency, we often overlook the simple joys of being outside. Even more frightening, many people seem afraid to embrace nature. I read that Toronto has banned tobogganing in many of its parks. A media personality was recently criticized for eating snow (but how would you make maple taffy?!) Many people are missing out on a lot of FUN!
Memories of carefree outdoor play are etched in my mind, a reminder of the joy that awaits beyond the confines of indoor spaces. Now, I embrace the opportunity to reconnect with nature, renew social bonds, and reignite the spark of adventure. As adults, it’s really not that hard to rekindle the joy of outdoor play, and remind ourselves that connection and camaraderie are FUN! Consider an active vacation – go cycling with a group! Join a hiking club and embark on a hiking adventure to somewhere new! Join my email group to be one of the first to know about new active travel adventures being planned. Being outdoors and being with friends will be so much FUN!
Where else can I ride my bike?
Please reach out if you are interested in discovering wonderful places with a new travel community!
All Categories
Remember When Being Outside Was FUN?
When I was little, my dad would take me to the skating rink up the street (I lived near Montreal where we still had outdoor rinks – in the pre-climate change days). He taught me and my brothers how to ski by taking us to a local park with some gentle hills – no tows. We learned how to walk up the hills, and then ski down. At the bottom, we just headed back up again. When we were a bit older, my dad would load us in the car and we would head out to the Laurentians to ski. Being outdoors was so much FUN!
In the summer, we would hop on our bikes and head to the park where they had organized activities for the neighbourhood kids – games of dodgeball and tag, playing on the swings. After lunch, back on the bikes to the municipal swimming pool for the afternoon. Or, off to the tennis court with some friends. Being outdoors was so much FUN!
I don’t remember when “fun” became something known as “exercise”.
To me, fun implies spontaneity. Exercise seems like something that is planned and deliberate, something that “should” be done, somebody else’s idea of a good way to spend time, something directed.
What happened?
Well, we grew older and had responsibilities and obligations. More stress, less time. We worried about gaining weight and figured a good way to do that would be to “exercise”. Effective and efficient perhaps, but not always fun. Getting outside to do something fun had to be scheduled, and then often it was overshadowed by other stresses – “if I go skiing on Saturday, when do I go grocery shopping?”. The fun factor fades.
I think it’s time to rediscover the joy of being outdoors.
Outdoor play got children active, it encouraged creativity, imagination, and social interaction, leading to holistic development. This same is true for adults.
The Magic of Exploration
Think back to the thrill of exploring unknown terrain, from treehouses to secret hideouts. Travelling and being outdoors can unleash your inner child and help you seek out new adventures in nature. Recapture the sense of wonder that comes with discovering hidden treasures in the great outdoors.
Treasures such as the color of the water of a lake as you round a bend…
…or the scenery reflected in a still lake;
…seeing mountains
…and jungles,
….and colourful flowers and trees.
You don’t have to go far to see beautiful natural scenery.
Sounds are special too, such as the sound of local birds as you stare at the sunset,
…or listening to a waterfall.
Seeing thousands of puffins is cool too.
Sometimes it’s just fun to stop and look at things – here we stopped to see if the sundial told the right time (it did!).
And then there’s the smells that can’t be captured in a photo – hyacinths! Food!
Wow – so much to experience when you are outdoors!
Connect with Nature
Embracing the outdoors allows for a deeper connection with nature. When you are hiking or cycling, you feel the earth beneath your feet, you can listen to the rustling of leaves, or marvel at the beauty of a sunset. Nature offers a sense of peace and tranquility that cannot be replicated indoors.
Reinforcing Social Bonds
Being outdoors fosters social interaction and cooperation. From local hikes to international cycling excursions, these shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen relationships. Outdoor activities such as these allow you to unplug and engage in meaningful connections with friends and family.
Overcoming Challenges
Just as in childhood, outdoor play presents challenges that encourage growth and resilience. Riding a challenging hill or navigating a winding trail reminds you about perseverance and the feeling of accomplishment.
Reviving the Joy
In our quest for productivity and efficiency, we often overlook the simple joys of being outside. Even more frightening, many people seem afraid to embrace nature. I read that Toronto has banned tobogganing in many of its parks. A media personality was recently criticized for eating snow (but how would you make maple taffy?!) Many people are missing out on a lot of FUN!
Memories of carefree outdoor play are etched in my mind, a reminder of the joy that awaits beyond the confines of indoor spaces. Now, I embrace the opportunity to reconnect with nature, renew social bonds, and reignite the spark of adventure. As adults, it’s really not that hard to rekindle the joy of outdoor play, and remind ourselves that connection and camaraderie are FUN! Consider an active vacation – go cycling with a group! Join a hiking club and embark on a hiking adventure to somewhere new! Join my email group to be one of the first to know about new active travel adventures being planned. Being outdoors and being with friends will be so much FUN!
Where else can I ride my bike?
Please reach out if you are interested in discovering wonderful places with a new travel community!