I can’t quite put into words how deeply nature grounds me. For as long as I can remember, the outdoors has been my place of comfort—my calm amidst the chaos. It’s where I naturally turn during stressful times, like a steady friend waiting in the wings.
I truly love being a homemaker and a mother, but some moments in the day can feel overwhelming—the laundry beeping, the baby crying, dinner only half-cooked, and toys scattered in every direction. In those moments, I find myself looking out the kitchen window. I watch the tall white pines and spruce trees swaying gently in the breeze, and I feel the reminder: nature is still there, patiently waiting for me to return to her.
Life can feel uncertain, but nature remains constant. There’s such comfort in knowing I can simply step outside to find my center again. Sometimes, all it takes is a 15-minute walk to feel at peace. Many of my walks around the farm are quiet and meditative, often with my son in the stroller, just slowly taking in the world around us.
I try to engage all five of my senses. I breathe in the scent of cedar and damp earth. I listen to the song sparrows and the soft chirping of crickets. I look up at the sky with its endless layers of clouds, and down at the ants crawling underfoot and the bumblebees darting from one clover bloom to the next. Nature is both majestic and soothing. When I’m in it, I feel close to God—I sense His love for all living things and see His careful craftsmanship in every feather and petal.
Each season carries its own beauty and lessons. Summer brings vibrant green, long sunlit days, and a powerful heat—but also humbles us with wild storms and booming thunder. Fall comes with crisp mornings, a dreamy blaze of colour, and the gentle letting go of life as the cold sets in. Winter wraps the world in stillness—fat, lazy snowflakes falling quietly, and trees blanketed in white—but also delivers fierce winds and short, dim days. And spring, my favourite season, is nature’s grand reawakening. The return of warmth, the scent of thawing earth, and the joyful emergence of new life.
As the years pass, I find myself more welcoming of the seasons’ rhythms. I used to feel uneasy when those chilly fall mornings hinted that summer was over. But now I embrace the changes—each season offers something unique. There’s always something to tend to in the garden or around the yard. Winter gives a well-earned rest from the demands of summer, and spring brings the wonder of beginning again.
When a long afternoon of parenting has stretched me thin, there’s nothing like stepping outside for a moment of relief. No tasks, no noise—just stillness and fresh air. A quiet pause in a day spent serving others. I rarely bring my phone; it’s one of the few times I feel completely unplugged and intentionally present. It truly is my calm place.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, or if today’s been full of screens and noise, I invite you to step outside. Just a simple walk around the block, a few deep breaths, and a short break from the whirlwind of daily life. Nature is always there, waiting for you too.