There’s something about stepping outside that shifts everything for me. The air is crisp but warming. The trees are still bare, but the first hints of green are starting to push through. The world is waking up from winter—just as I feel like I am, too.
This week, the temperatures are rising to nearly 70, and that means one thing—it’s time to get outside. 🌿☀️
💚 Walking the Bike Path: Finding Peace in the Little Things
Just down the road from us, there’s a bike path that has become one of my favorite places to just breathe. It’s nothing fancy—just a stretch of trail winding through trees, alongside the water, surrounded by open space. But that’s what makes it perfect.
💜 Watching the kids run ahead, laughing and goofing off.
💜 Spotting wildlife—the birds, the squirrels, the occasional deer in the distance.
💜 Noticing the tiniest signs of life returning—the first wildflowers pushing through the ground.
There’s something about nature that slows everything down. It reminds me to look, listen, and be present. The way the sun filters through the trees, the way the wind moves through the leaves, the way life continues—even after loss.
🦋 The Beauty of Dawes Arboretum & the Japanese Garden
One of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been is Dawes Arboretum. 🌸 The trees, the water, the carefully placed stones in the Japanese Garden—it’s the kind of place that feels like a deep breath.
I won’t lie—it holds painful memories, too. Garet loved being there. All the kids did. There are places along the path that bring a sharp ache in my heart, reminders of moments that are now just memories. In my mind I can hear his voice calling to Kaden. The laughter. The fun.
But I am now learning that grief and beauty can exist together. Even when it hurts, nature has a way of wrapping itself around you, reminding you that life still moves forward. That the things we love, the people we miss—they are still part of us, even in places where we once stood together.
☀️ Nature as Healing: Why the Outdoors Brings Comfort
I’ve realized that spending time outside isn’t just good for the body—it’s good for the soul.
When grief feels overwhelming, when the weight of everything is too much, stepping into nature shifts something inside. The warmth of the sun, the smell of the earth, the simple act of breathing fresh air—it’s like a reset.
💜 It reminds me that life continues.
💜 It allows me to feel connected—to Garet, to my kids, to the world around me.
💜 It gives me space to just be—to grieve, to heal, to exist in the moment.
This week, with the warm air moving in and the first signs of spring all around, I’m reminding myself to step outside, to breathe it in, and to let nature do what it does best—heal.
🌿 What Brings You Comfort?
Whether it’s a walk in the woods, sitting by the water, or just feeling the sun on your face—nature has a way of bringing us back to ourselves.
💜 Where do you go when you need peace? What small things in nature bring you comfort? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what helps you feel grounded. Let’s Talk!
Love and Light ~Mandy 💜
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