We’ve lived in this home for a couple years now, and while we’ve spent time sprucing up our front yard, we have not been so affectionate to our backyard. And when you live in high desert country, a neglected yard means an ugly yard. We have managed to maintain our grass…and a healthy crop of dandelions.
But never mind all that. We both wanted a place to sit and enjoy the fresh air, botanical garden yard or not. So David and I bought a Wal-Mart patio set on clearance and proudly set that baby up. So far, our Wal-Mart furniture has not let us down. We love to sit down, slow down, and just relax together in our bit o’ outdoors.
I grew up in the wide open country of Oklahoma, but I’ve been a city dweller since marrying my Air Force man. While we lived near the ocean for one assignment, the rest found us living in a sea of houses. I enjoy being part of a neighborhood, but I miss having those wide open spaces of my childhood. There’s just something about country air that invites slow relaxation.
But just because my address doesn’t have rural route in it doesn’t mean I can’t bring a little of the country to me.
So when my day gets squished with chores and kidlets and a husband’s ever changing schedule, I look for snippets of fresh air right where I am. That is, space – no matter how small – to slow down and relax. And this makes me wonder: Maybe the same is true for you? Maybe you have to work to find the fresh air in your own un-country, un-mountainy, un-beachy home?
What gives you fresh air might look different from what gives me the same thing. {My man would have “Brew-Pub visit” at the top of his list.} That’s okay. There are no rules, except one: Never apologize for needing fresh air. If perfect Jesus needed some Himself, you and I certainly do. Below are 25 ways you can bring country fresh air to your city life. {And just so we’re clear, I’m not talkin’ the smell of manure.}
Read your Bible. No one sends fresh air into your soul like the One who gives you life to the full.
Become a habitual window stare-er-out-er. It’s not procrastination, it’s restoration!
Take a walk. Take deep breaths and look up at blue sky. It helps you be more productive, too!
Plant flowers. One of the best ways to feel fresh air is to plant your hands in some dirt.
Plant herbs. I’m a weirdo who has better luck growing them indoors than out.
Bring the green inside. Every room needs a plant!
Smell your flowers. Or if you don’t have any, smell your neighbors {I totally do this all the time}.
Flip through your favorite magazine. Some like this one are chock-full of pretty pictures and inspiring words.
Sit down with coffee or tea. Get some Tazo chai tea {available at most grocery stores} and follow the box directions to make yourself a Starbucks chai latte.
Go for a drive. Escape past the city limits and see what you find!
Take pictures. Noticing the large and small gives your soul fresh air. And have you seen her gorgeous photography?
Paint a room. This color and this color are fun!
Break out the board games or puzzles. Some good ways to make memories and build relationships!
Laugh hard. It’s good medicine and a gift. Read here why laughing ’til it hurts feels so good. {While I don’t agree with the article’s evolutionary bias, I found this interesting.}
Light a candle. Light a lot of candles! And when you shop for them a la Nester. it doesn’t cost much. Want a swankier one? This smells divine!
Read fresh air words. I love Stacey, Ann, Emily, Holley, Shannan, and (in)courage. If you’re a mama like me, read Lisa-Jo and Sally.
Read fresh air books. Shut off the screens {except maybe your kindle} and read books that feed you heart and soul.
Hold babies. Snuggle your babies.Pray for them anytime and everytime you can – inside your head and out loud.
Encourage a loved one. Encouraging others encourages you, too.
Admire art. Art like this is a mini-retreat for the soul. Buy this or other pretties for 25% off {this month only}.
Go on a bike ride. Feel the wind in your hair!
Pet a dog. They love so unconditionally! {Unless you are a certain dog named Lola.}
Invite company over for dinner. Keep it simple and order pizza! We love this take ‘n bake place .
Do something kind for a stranger. Pay for the person’s drink in the car behind you at Starbucks. Get plugged in with this and send the best gifts to a child.
Date Your Husband. Since my husband and I date once every 9 months or so, I’m preaching to myself here. We do, however, date at home by making time to talk and/or watch movies after the kids are in bed.
{And one bonus!}
Hang with your gal pals. Because I’m passionate about women finding friends, I’ve written endlessly about it. Friends are worth the time and effort.
What would you add to the list?
Great list Kristen, and you are so right about the peace you experience in wide open spaces. I would add daydream in a hammock. I have loved hammocks since childhood. Hammocks remind me of Old Trail Farm, the farm where my dad did migrant work as a kid in Ithaca, Michigan. The couple treated him as their son so when we were kids dad would took us up there a few summers and I would nap or daydream in the hammock. Ah the memories.
OH hammocks are dreamy! I’m adding that to my list as well.
Excellent list. I must try more than a few of these… Since my space is more city than country as well. I will add just one idea of my own, the discovery of my summer: Don’t be afraid to dip your feet in the kiddie pool! Blessings to you, Kristen!
Yes, Becky! Agreed. Blessings to you too, Sister!
I run…. by myself or with friends or my husband or my kids (they on bikes). I love to run at day break and watch the sun come up and smell the fresh morning air.
I work on the balcony. Work? Yes, blogging or volunteer. I find it quiet and I can see out into the fields and still see and hear my children playing or not if they are in the house.
Having cocktails with my friends or hubby on said balcony in the evening and watching the sun set.
Your second and third things? OH YES.
Home Sweet Home:) I love that picture and I love that old tree! I always think about Dad when he was a kid getting the cows in to milk, when I see that tree. It’s the O’Neill Landmark, lol:)
It is! That tree says childhood to me.
Great list. 🙂
I was finally able to take a trip to visit the country but was having a hard time with our city living the last few years. I love this post! What an encouraging word. 🙂 I need the reminder that I can bring some fresh air to my home even when we’re feeling a bit cramped, thanks!