Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Last weekend, I joined a group of 80 women from all over the state of Maine in an all-day workshop called “Becoming an Outdoors Woman: The Spring Mini” where I got to try my hand at fly fishing and navigating the woods by map and compass.
It. Was. Epic.
I was definitely one of the most inexperienced outdoors-women there, but I loved every second and left feeling more motivated than ever before to get outside and enjoy the outdoors more and more every year. Especially as my kiddos launch into college and career seasons of their own. Especially as I age and am looking for ways to stay healthy. Especially as I find myself with more and more time on my hands.
Which was only compounded when I ran across a NatGeo IG post promoting an article called “Why Outdoor Adventure is Important for Women as They Age” with these quotes ⤵
“Having adventures outside is the best thing that we women can do to ensure that we will live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives as we get older"
- Caroline Paul, author of Tough Broad
"Getting outside is critical for you biologically—and there is so much science to prove it. Studies have shown that trees release chemicals called phytoncides that are really good for our immune system, while birdsong has been shown to calm our brainwaves.
There’s also evidence that fractals—complex patterns found in coastlines, clouds, and ocean waves—can relax our brains... 15 to 45 minutes in a natural setting of any sort will make a difference. Five hours a month can also help you maintain that emotional and physical restoration. But ultimately more is better—and the more remote and wild are the green space, the better it is for you too"
- Caroline Paul, author of Tough Broad
(& yes, the book Tough Broad is now on my TBR list ~ let me know if you’ve read it!)
If you’re an outdoor kind of person, you might be interested to know that most US states have a “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” program hosted by the Department of Natural Resources. I even saw several international programs with a quick Google search. I highly recommend plugging into the community if that’s your sort of thing.
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If I may, I would love to leave you with this thought —
We can’t afford to ignore the things that make us feel most alive.
For some of us, those are outdoorsy things like hiking, fishing, or camping. For others, it’s spending time in big cities or baking, gardening, taking art classes, or serving customers behind the counter of a coffee shop. Often we can’t pinpoint where the love for these things came from, but most of us can trace our deep loves back to our childhood—and those of us who can’t perhaps haven’t found theirs just yet (that’s okay too, it will come). Sometimes it takes a lot of work to get the things we love into our lives. Especially if we came to them later in life. Especially if the people we love don’t share them. But it’s worth it.
Even if the things we love aren’t practical or don’t make sense.
I still remember the first day I felt a deep love for the outdoors when I was 8 or 9 and my parents let me tromp around in the woods and do whatever I wanted. I LOVED it. I can still remember the old rotten log where I stashed my bag of marbles and some baseball cards. I felt a surge of aliveness. I felt that magic again in college when I spent entire days outdoors on the lake fishing and walking around with friends. A few years ago, I felt this love every time I hiked in a national park and spent hours and hours outside having fun with my family (it’s why we moved to Acadia). And I believe it’s leaning into that deep love that’s helping me feel more and more alive as the years go by—something I hope will continue as I aspire to stay outdoorsy into my 80s and 90s like so many of my role models, Margaret Mathis included.
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So I have to ask, What’s your thing, dear one?
What is the one thing that makes you feel most alive? Whatever it is, I hope you get to do a lot of it this summer, this week, this weekend — TODAY even. I hope you get to do that thing a little each day, a whole lot some days, and more as the years go by.
If all goes according to plan, I’ll be right back here next Friday morning to share another adventure log with you, this one not quite so outdoorsy and very much international travel-y. (I’m headed to the airport right this very minute actually!!)
Have fun out there!
Celeste
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