On the Colour Green; And On the Colour Blue

Or how nature can keep overthinking at bay

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“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir

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There’s something about walking in nature, being in nature. The serenity that fills us. The awe. When the sun shines above the vastness and makes the colours come alive, our souls dance. Or at least mine does.

When we are young and ambitious and full of energy, it makes sense that the city would pull us in.

This is where all the action’s at. All the opportunities, all the cool things to do. Less FOMO than living in the countryside and not being able to try out all the trendy stuff.

Of course, this is not true of everyone. Some people have a lasting connection to nature since childhood and spend much time surrounded by it. But many of us spend way more in the concrete jungle.

And I feel like the buildings' grey seeps into my thoughts too.

To be fair, cities might be soothing as well if they weren’t as busy and if everyone wasn’t in a perennial rush. If there was nothing on the agendas.

But where cities usually seem too eerie with no people around, natural spots are treasured all the more for it when we can have them to ourselves.

All the green, and all the blue!

Countless studies have proven the benefits of spending time in nature. It’s not just because of the views which cast their stunning spell upon us. It’s also breathing in the fresh air, and being on the move.

Yes, studies have also proven the powers of movement when it comes to mental health, not only the more obvious ones for our physical health. In the end, we were not made to sag in chairs and sofas or to spend a weekend in bed. Of course, rest is not to be overlooked, but those things are usually not rest.

Arguably, we might be resting better on a hike than laying on the couch at home, watching reels.

This is true for me at least - all the overthinking energy gets channelled elsewhere. Paying attention to the route, to the sights, and spending physical energy on walking leaves less to be consumed by the worried mind.

But of course, it's not like nature eradicates my overthinking. My mind still slips to the mundane - try not to get too dirty, watch your step, etc.

But less so to the anxious overthinking like what I should be doing with my life, I should have done, said this better. The never perfect enough talk.

Being in nature is one of the few times I overthink less and enjoy more.

One of the rare occasions when I am thinking.

No over. I am thinking, and in these moments, I enjoy thinking. I actually always do, as long as the over stays away.

I can tinker with ideas, find unexpected connections, and clever comparisons. For once, my thoughts can make me feel alive instead of sucking the life out of me.

For once, I can be thinking, breathing human, and not overthinking, hyperventilating human.

In everything I do, be it writing, work, or hiking, I like the thinking part, the problem-solving part, the moments fear does not take over the thoughts.

Nature has amazing soothing superpowers, and I may have come to know this a bit late, but hey, better late than never.

The crazier life becomes, the more I find myself daydreaming of being in the mountains, by the sea. I long for the quiet and for the balm for my eyes, and for my soul that only nature can provide.

Oh, the colour green and the colour blue. My thoughts are colourful when I walk in nature.