I’m 24 years old, and my love for the outdoors goes all the way back to my childhood. I grew up in North Carolina, where nature just kind of surrounds you without you even thinking about it. There were tall trees everywhere, warm air most of the year, and those long, golden evenings that made you want to stay outside as long as possible.
As a kid, I didn’t really have to be told to go outside. That’s just where I wanted to be. I was always running around barefoot, climbing trees, exploring little paths in the woods, or riding my bike until it got dark. Looking back, I think that’s where everything started for me. Being outside wasn’t a hobby. It was just part of my everyday life.
Now I’m 24, working in modeling and running my blog, and life is definitely more structured and busy than it used to be. There are schedules, deadlines, traveling, photoshoots, and a lot of time spent indoors or on my phone or laptop. But no matter how hectic things get, I always come back to the same thing. I need to be outside. It’s something that keeps me grounded.
My Go-To Way to Reset
One of the biggest reasons I love being outdoors is how it affects my mind. If I’ve had a stressful day or I feel overwhelmed, stepping outside changes my mood almost instantly. It doesn’t have to be anything dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a walk, sometimes I sit somewhere quiet, sometimes I go for a run. But every time, I feel my thoughts slow down. It’s like the noise in my head gets quieter, and I can actually think clearly again.
I’ve noticed that I’m more creative when I spend time outside too. As someone who blogs and works in a creative field, that’s really important. Ideas come easier when I’m walking or just being in fresh air. When I stay inside too long, I start to feel stuck. Getting outside kind of resets everything for me.
Then there’s the physical side, which I think people sometimes underestimate. Moving your body outside feels completely different compared to being inside a gym. The air feels better, the light is different, and everything just feels more natural. I have more energy when I spend time outside, and I don’t feel as tired or sluggish during the day. Even my sleep is better on days when I’ve been active outdoors.
I also feel like my body responds better when I move outside. Whether it’s walking, running, or just being active in general, it feels less forced. It doesn’t feel like a workout I have to get through. It just feels like something I enjoy doing. And that makes it so much easier to stay consistent.
Emotionally, being outside has a really calming effect on me. There’s something about nature that puts things into perspective. Watching the sky change colors in the evening, hearing the wind in the trees, or just noticing small things around me helps me slow down. It reminds me that not everything needs to be rushed or perfect all the time.
Working in modeling can sometimes make life feel very fast-paced and, honestly, a bit intense. There’s a lot of pressure, a lot of expectations, and it’s easy to get caught up in that. Being outside helps me step away from all of that for a moment. It brings me back to something simple and real.
I think growing up in South Carolina is a big reason why I feel this way. When you spend your childhood outside, it kind of stays with you. It becomes something you naturally turn to when you need to feel better. I never had to learn to love the outdoors. It was always there.
These days, I make a conscious effort to spend time outside every day, even if it’s just for a little while. Some days it’s a long walk, some days it’s just sitting in the sun with my coffee. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. What matters is just being there.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being outside is one of the simplest ways to take care of both your mind and your body. It doesn’t require anything special, and you don’t have to be perfect at it. You just have to step outside and give yourself that time.
For me, it’s not just something I enjoy. It’s something I need. And no matter how much my life changes, I know that part will always stay the same.
-Harper