Monday Musings- Forest Bathing and Gratitude Alarms
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope you had a great weekend. I began to strip the ornaments off our new artificial Christmas Tree but didn’t have the heart to take it down. It’s literally standing there with the lights and no ornaments. I love to see the cheery glow as I walk past so I’ve begun joking with my husband about Valentine and Easter ornaments:)
Anywho…here are few things I’m musing about this week:
Forest Bathing
I work from home so all my days will run together unless I take some sort of break. With cabin fever at an all-time high, Mr. AWSL and I have decided that our Sunday drives are more important than ever before. We’re challenging ourselves to go and see something new each week. This week I asked him to find a place for us to go forest bathing.
We headed north through towns so small you’d miss them if you blinked. Some were so deserted, I wish I’d blinked! Now I know where all the old RV’s and trailers go to die. We ended up at New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The water level is so low you can’t launch a boat so the place was eerily deserted.
It was so quiet it almost makes your ears hurt. I LOVED it! We drove on toward New Bullards Bar Damn and stopped to walk among the trees, which is “forest bathing”. Forest therapy is rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, which refers simply to being in nature, connecting with it through sight, hearing, smell, and touch.
I could almost feel my blood pressure drop. We drove past the New Bullards Bar Dam and along country roads for hours before turning towards home. It’s funny, but after an experience like that, I can sit at my desk and feel I’ve been a very long way from home…which is just what I need before the week starts.
Gratitude Alarm
We had a group zoom call with our dearest, dinner party friends last night. I can’t believe we haven’t done it before now. It was so good to see their faces and laugh with them. During the call, Tony’s phone alarm went off. 
He explained he’s set his alarm to go off twice each day to remind himself to pause and feel grateful. How awesome is that? I now have two alarms on my phone because I’m never sorry when I take the time to feel grateful and a reminder is always welcome.
End Of An Era
We sold our little travel trailer last week. We’d had reservations to visit Palm Springs for the month of January but with everything closed down, it didn’t make sense to go. I have such fond memories of trips we’ve taken and the places we’ve stayed. It began to feel like a crazy waste of money to pay to store it and our tow vehicle. I know we will miss it when things open up so we will revisit our options then.
Have you made any changes in your life for 2021?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Loved your post. I have been getting restless myself and like you, been thinking I need to just take a drive. Funny how you sold your RV and we are thinking of buying one! Different approaches to this new normal!
Such a cute outfit Jennifer!! Agree about limiting news exposure, so disturbing. The scenery you shared was magnificent to say the least!! We live in Central Florida, we do have lots of forests around but no mountains to speak of. Have not been able to do much driving as of late…. having more back surgery on Wednesday. Second in almost three years, but oh well had considerable success with the first one and have no doubt this one will be a success also. Have a great week
Good luck with your surgery!
Jennifer,
I am a new subscriber and have just begun reading your posts but find them so uplifting, sincere, and inspiring. I’ve enjoyed reading the thoughtful comments from your subscribers. Being petite, I am finding your style tips especially helpful. I am a breast cancer survivor, married to a prostate cancer survivor and my best friend for 39 years. It’s been challenging and has helped me put into perspective what’s truly important. I love the your husband’s gratitude alarm tip. Simple but powerful! Thank you for sharing. Like you I am a NoCal girl, a Yorkie owner, and retired. Unlike you, I have regrettably have succumbed to the COVID +15. I noticed you posted you are working to shed the Covid pounds. It looks like you have! You are looking very slim and trim! Any tips on how you are doing that would be most appreciated. Happy New Year!
Welcome, Kate! I am so glad you’re here. You will love the ladies here, I do:) I am working on my post for how I have lost some weight during this COVID and will share soon. xox
What a great post, Jennifer. You look wonderful in your outfit by the dam. We like to get out into the forest or by the ocean on the weekends, too. It’s soul restoring.
Just before the onslaught of Covid-19 last March, we purchased a small travel trailer. Didn’t use it too much, but we’ve made reservations for the beginning of March up Island in hopes that both Covid and the weather will cooperate.
I’ve lost interest in clothes and fashion this past year, but still enjoy reading your blog. This one really impacted me to get beyond my walls and explore nature more. I absolutely love the term Forest Bath and all that it implies. I am now planning a trip to Glacier National park which has been on my bucket list. I also put the alarms on my phone and say a prayer of thanks for whatever blessing comes to mind at that moment. Thank you for this post. You are inspiring.
I’m sad to see your trailer go. I enjoyed those posts so much. We have the advantage of being able to store ours on our property. Otherwise, I can see how the storage cost would make it much more difficult to justify especially when our camping season is so short.
You look AMAZING! Many of us gained weight during the holidays, but you look slimmer and more willowy in the latest posts. I think you could wear any outfit and rival a professional model!
Thanks, Kathy. I have been working hard to lose the Covid 10.
Hi…..to the New Year and Forest bathing. Loved this missive. Yes, it is good to get out and drive someplace or even just take a walk.
Sorry to hear you sold your other house on wheels. We went and bought a larger one……silly us. But we have fun with it and go as many places as we can. Nice to have your own bedroom and bath as you travel.
Oh and by the way you looked wonderful in your photos……it’s all the fresh air. Keep going and keep doing.
Forest bathing sounds like heaven to me. Given the choice, I will take mountains over beach any day! Love your outfit, especially your hat. I am making it a practice to wear a winter version of my sun hats every time I go out in the winter. Sun protection is important year round, not just during the warm and the hot weather months.
The “gratitude alarm” sounds like the tech version of Oprah’s “Grateful Journal” and a mentally healthy daily practice! Thanks for suggesting it. Now I just have to learn how to set an alarm on my phone🙄
Your trailer! How sad! I have wanted one for ages, but neither my husband or me would feel confident towing one.
Just love this post, Jennifer, because…
Forest bathing! And here I thought you were going to do a “polar bear” plunge that is done in Canada on Jan 1. We’re lucky to live at the edge of a large forest, so we’ll be doing our daily forest bathing in 10 minutes.
You reminded me about our wonderful time in Palm Springs a few years ago. Our focus was on mid century architecture & we hope to return someday soon.
You look fab! I appreciate how you have put together such an updated look with older clothing.
Reminder to take Sunday drives, but we’ve had snow storms to deal with!
We love Palm Springs too!!