Cory was on spring break that following Monday so Cory, Toby, and I went hiking! We checked out Hitchcock nature center which is about 30 minutes outside of Omaha. It wasn't too shabby. I invested in some hiking boots which actually came in handy on the hike due to it being so muddy and hard to walk up the hills. Cory struggled because he only had tennis shoes. The trail difficulty surprised us which is awesome because living in the Midwest, its hard to find hilly hiking trails. I used to bitch out how there isn't anywhere good to go hiking in the Nebraska area so I never would go hiking. I am so mad at myself for not being able to experience these trails sooner but I am happy that one day I woke up and thought to myself I could do nothing and be miserable or get up and do something and make best out of the situation I have. Option two has worked out for the better so far.They are nowhere close to hiking in the mountains, but this is what I have for now, so I will find the silver lining. We all went hiking for about three hours. Toby had SO much fun but he was pooped the rest of the day. Cory was also exhausted toward the end of the hike. I told him he better start getting used to it because we will be hiking in the mountains in Europe! I am so glad we checked out Hitchcock nature center. It is definitely a place I will be hiking again in the future. Sidenote: I've noticed since I started blogging that I have found hiking to be something that is a passion of mine and something that makes me truly happy. I can't wait for the trees and flowers to bloom so my hikes are even more beautiful than they are already. |
| "In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous." |
Loess Hills with Meow and Giz
So the following Monday, Mallory, Giz, and I headed to go hiking in Loess Hills. It's about an hour outside of Omaha, but it was totally worth the drive. We we literally the ONLY ones there. We never encountered another person. We were truly disconnected to whatever was happening in Omaha, and we were fully immersed into mother nature. It was nice to check something new out for me. We hiked for about a couple of hours. We all packed a little snack and we found a quiet flat space in the shades and ate our food and talked for about an hour. We also practiced some mindfulness and meditated for a little bit. If felt really peaceful to meditate in the woods. We then headed back to the lake where our car was parked and Giz found bones! We think they were deer bones, but it was so cool to find! It just shows how few people have been hiking to where we were. Since we meditated in the woods it got me thinking to my last post and how I was doing 21 days to less stress. I have found so many positive changes in practicing mindfulness for 21 consistent days. I thought now would be an appropriate time to share. Side-note: 40 days with no alcohol is still going strong!
 |
| Bones in the woods |
 |
| Practicing Mindfulness in the woods |
Mindfulness finds:
1. More energy
By eating a mostly clean diet, and not consuming any pop or alcohol, I have found I have so much more energy. Normally if I only got six hours of sleep a night, I would feel really groggy the whole next day. This hasn't happened! It's awesome!
2. Happier
By eating clean, and practicing mindfulness I have found that in general I am happier. I wake up in a good mood, and go to bed in a good mood. I have also found that I am more positive about things. Who doesn't like being in a good mood all the time?
3. Less Stress
Now I know the whole point of doing 21 days to less, is in fact, to stress less. It has actually worked. Normally little things that would have annoyed me and put me in a bad mood the rest of the day, hasn't annoyed me. If something does annoy me, I have just let it go a lot sooner than I normally would have. If I am being stressed, I know what coping techniques work to help me get out of it.
4. Self Learning
I have learned so much more about myself by practicing mindfulness. I have learned to fully think things through before you speak. I tend to say whats exactly on my mind which sometimes isn't the best quality to have. I'm trying this thing where I actually think before I speak. Haha
5. More time/Money
Okay this kinda goes with me giving up alcohol for Lent. But I have saved SO much money! I also have more time in my days due to me not going out and being hungover the next day. I actually do the hobbies I like doing like running, hiking, and reading. I feel so much more productive and I am being productive. I mean, I planning to get married in two months! Eeek!
It just feels SO good to treat my body well and to see results so soon!
I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather outside and have a wonderful week!
Wow, this is awesome! I'm really happy you enjoyed your time at the Hitchcock center! Hiking has also become one of my FAVORITE things to do. It's such amazing exercise but doesn't feel like it (normally) and it's so peaceful, relaxing, and soul-centering. I just love being outside, and doing it more definitely brings you closer to your surroundings and more in tune with them. Coy and I are going to start foraging, we are so excited! And as far as boots, a long time ago, Coy bought us new hiking boots, his were great, mine always gave me a blister on the back of my ankle and never stopped, no matter how "worn in" they were. By some odd chance I found a pair of $7 Columbia boots which had thick tread and were water proof, not necessarily sure what they were originally intended for since I found them at Goodwill, but they are so much better than my other boots that were INTENDED for hiking! I don't know, but if you find a pair of those, they will definitely help you in the mud! That's how the trails are where we hike this time of year, everything's muddy and there's a ton of hills! But we love it. Make sure Cory wears the right shoes next time and Coy and I have discovered it's best to wear jeans, too, especially when you're in the trees, unless you have some good pants that won't catch stickers! But it looks like you've had a lovely time and I love looking at your pictures! It's great that you brought friends out too, that's what we all need more of, the outdoors and friends. Thanks for your post! :)
ReplyDelete