Fun In a Forrest

“I have never really found any joy in venturing out into nature…”

“What could possibly be interesting about it, really? Nothing about it is convenient for someone like me, and let’s be honest, I can’t play my favorite game without reliable, fast internet! And don’t even get me started on the bugs—YUCK! They’re like tiny, flying ninjas out to ruin my day.”

Know anyone like that?
Maybe it even sounds a little like you.

For some folks, the idea of having fun in a forest just doesn’t compute — it’s messy, unpredictable, and, well, full of things that buzz, bite, or crawl. But for others, it’s heaven on earth — a place to breathe, explore, and reconnect.

Nature rewards those who show up with curiosity. It’s for people who crave adventure, value stillness, and appreciate moments shared with friends or spent completely alone.

Personally, I cherish my hiking trips for the chance to witness things few others ever will (still hoping Bigfoot makes an appearance one of these days).

Morning by the River

One morning while camping by a river, I woke up to the most amazing sunrise.

The air was thick with fog — not just the “hazy eyes from last night” kind, but a real, rolling mist clinging to the trees. As I set up for breakfast and brewed that all-important first cup of coffee, I looked up and saw it: the sun breaking through the treetops, beams slicing through the fog, dancing all the way down to the forest floor.

In that moment, I completely forgot to grab my camera. But that sight — that feeling — burned itself into my memory forever.

Perhaps it’s moments like this that make nature so wonderful.

If waking up to something that beautiful doesn’t move you, then do us all a favor — stay home.
The rest of us will be out here soaking in the high points of life, exploring, laughing, and maybe even getting in better shape along the way.

Why Don’t We Go Out More?

Maybe the beauty of nature isn’t for everyone, but I’d bet a good pair of boots that the ones avoiding it are “too busy.”

Sound familiar?

• Six-day work weeks.

• A never-ending list of home chores.

• Trying to catch up on last year’s projects.

• Helping others until you’re too tired to help yourself.

I’ve been there too. And that’s exactly why getting outside matters.

Maybe a little time in nature is exactly what you (and I) need to escape the daily grind for a while.
There’s a kind of quiet magic in sitting still, listening to the birds, and letting the rest of the world fade away.

Start small — once a week, maybe just an hour.
Get used to unplugging, even for a few minutes.
Soon enough, you’ll feel it — the calm, the reset, the reminder that work isn’t life.

That’s when you start truly living.

“So how do I have fun in a forest?”

Glad you asked!

Once you make a little time for yourself (what I call Really Living), start exploring. You don’t need to drive miles into the wilderness — sometimes “nature” is just the tree in your yard or the path down the street.

The farther you get from cities and crowds, the deeper the peace becomes.
If it feels strange at first, that’s okay. Go slow. Let the quiet grow on you.

See the Details

Now that you’re out there, slow down even more.

Notice the tiny snail inching across that mossy trunk.
Hear the water trickling over smooth stones, or the rustle of leaves — was it a squirrel, a deer, or something else?
Breathe in the air — cleaner, cooler, and full of the scent of pine and earth.

Take a few steps, then stop and really look.
You’re standing on an overlook. How far can you see?
What sounds carry from near and far?
What new scents hang in the air?
Only you can answer those questions — that’s part of the fun.

Living Light, Thinking Clear

“Fun in a forest” means something different to everyone, but it all comes back to peace — the kind that comes from simplicity.

• Leave no trace.

• Respect others.

• Carry less — mentally and physically.

Take time to reflect, even a little at a time. Ask yourself:
Can I live with less?
Can I work less, worry less, impress others less?
Can I buy fewer things and value them more?

Living with less isn’t a loss — it’s freedom.
The road less traveled really is easier when you’re not dragging along extra baggage.

“Fun in a forest” is a mindset. It’s a reflection of who you are and how you choose to live — or start living.

So, get outside.
Feel the sun on your skin (preferably with clothes on).
Walk a dirt trail.
Smell the fresh air.
Drink from the well of life and enjoy every moment.

Only then are you Truly Living.

— Until next time, Get Outside and Play!