Let’s be real: If you’re reading this, you’re probably not basking in the warmth of the late summer sun in a vast, open prairie, listening to the birds chirp as you read the latest off of your TBR. You’re probs sitting at home, dreaming of the day you can finally chill out—no drama, no homework, no bad vibes.

Well, don’t we have some good news for you! Turns out you don’t *have* to be adventuring through the forest or lounging by the pool in the middle of the desert to practice mindfulness (although we do miss our girl Pressley and the amaze Mom/Daughter vacay we had this summer). You can practice your relaxin’ from home instead!

We’ve rounded up some of the cutest ways you can enter your nature girl era right in your own backyard. 

Download a stargazing app

OK, everyone is always talking about the “Big Dipper”, but who can actually point it out in the evening sky? Even if none of your BFFs are regular stargazers, apps like Sky Guide and Night Sky can help you find even the toughest of constellations (yup, it even knows what Orion’s Belt looks like, somehow). 

We recommend laying out some blankets or towels outside your house (or a nearby park) and gazing up at the night sky for a while. Track the constellations you spot. No need for a shooting star, we’re already living out our nature girlie dreams. We would really like to see one tho. 

@roliroy_

Host an at-home camping trip

Gather up your best girls, a sleeping bag and some marshmallows—we’re going camping! In our backyard, that is. If you want to get in touch with nature (and have a blast doing it), spend the night under the stars with your BFFs.

If you or one of your friends have a tent from a previous camping trip, try setting it up in your backyard (with a parent’s help, ofc). Don’t be afraid to get cozy by bringing out some pillows and blankets for your night under the stars. If you’re looking to spend extra time in nature, leave the screens inside. But if you’re into glamping (relatable), break out your Netflix app for the *cutest* outdoor movie night. 

@explorewithkress

Take a long walk someplace new

Contrary to what your boredom-bugged brain may tell you, you probs haven’t explored *every* part of your community before. Channel that Taylor Swift à la “Welcome To New York” energy to look at your neighborhood from a new angle on a leisurely walk about town. It may not be the kaleidoscope of loud that NYC is, but you’ll probs find something new to enjoy. 

To put a nature girlie spin on the classic Hot Girl Walk, we recommend strolling to your nearest park or open expanse of land. Animal watch, people watch—observe the world gently bustling around you. Bonus points if you find a cool lake to relax by or a family of squirrels to follow around. 

@shelbssays

Try your hand at bird-watching 

Grab some binoculars (or just the zoom feature on your phone camera, tbh) and go for a bird hunt in your backyard! Birds can be found almost anywhere if you know where to look. Channel your inner wildlife photographer by practicing patience when observing them. Bird watching can be a very meditative activity. 

Need some help identifying a bird species or just want to make some bird-watching friends? Check out your local Audubon Society. A national organization dedicated to protecting birds, the Audubon Society has plenty of resources to help you learn all about your fav local avians. There are over 450 chapters nationwide, but if you don’t have one near you, download their app! 

How are you embracing your outdoorsy era? 
Let us know on Threads @girlslifemag!

Top image: @meganhomme
Slider image: @jennelle.eliana

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Greenwood Village, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenwood Village, Colorado –

CO based Fire Pit Outfitters is making it easier than ever before for homeowners to create a personalized fire pit to promote mindfulness. The company has already worked with numerous customers to build fire pits with restful spaces, and they are more than willing to share a few tips to help kickstart a new project.

Fire pits may appear to have no connection to mindfulness at first glance, but as many have already discovered to their delight, a well-built pit can have a significant positive impact on an individual’s mental health. The trick, the company says, is to use it as an aid to meditation, which means it has to be built in a space that is dedicated to this role.

While there is usually no issue in using a fire pit for a multipurpose role, such as splitting its use between family gatherings and private meditation, it is advisable for homeowners to consider how often they will use the space for each of these reasons. The more disturbed a space is, the more difficult it might be for them to meditate and attain the right state of mind when they need it the most. The company also acknowledges that any source of shimmering flame can be used to practice with, but those who wish to meditate in earnest should consider building a custom pit that affords a truly relaxing experience.

To this end, Fire Pit Outfitters directs interested parties to take a look at their offerings. Fire pits can be built in all kinds of shapes, sizes and configurations, and it is important for a homeowner to carefully consider each aspect of their pit before committing to an installation. There are a few notable reasons for this, including the fact that getting it right the first time will mean less expense and waste. However, this can also help minimize frustration, especially since some may prefer to periodically change or update their meditation space in some way as time goes on. Certain aspects of a pit may be relatively easy to swap out, such as the shape of the burners, the decorative fill or accessories and so on, but other aspects would represent a sizable commitment.

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The company has many options for their community to choose from. Many, for instance, find it appealing to conceal their fire pit inside a rustic wine barrel, but this may make it harder to achieve mindfulness if the flame itself is the primary focus. Fire Pit Outfitters says customers often find themselves enthralled with their copper gas fire pits, and some models may be better at showing off a flame than others. However, the most popular options tend to coincide with nature and tradition; the company says their stone fire pits never fail to draw attention from customers who want their backyard to feel little more than an outdoor version of home.

Alternatively, some might argue that the best method is to build the fire pit alone from scratch. While Fire Pit Outfitters is more than happy to build a custom fire pit to a professional standard on a customer’s behalf, they have options for those who want to take a more hands-on approach (with limited assistance). Homeowners may try out the company’s customizable DIY kits where the basic structure and materials for a fire pit are supplied by Fire Pit Outfitters. There are several sizes and configurations available, and customers are welcome to come back to the store at any time if they want new items or accessories once the pit is complete.

No matter what form a fire pit ultimately takes, the company urges homeowners to remember that it can still be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Lighting a fire in excessively windy conditions, for instance, is not advisable, and it is best to keep a fire extinguisher within reach at all times.

Homeowners are welcome to contact Fire Pit Outfitters directly for help building a custom fire pit for their outdoor meditation space this summer. The team will be more than happy to share more tips regarding construction, maintenance, safety and so on. Fire Pit Outfitters can be reached via phone, email and the company’s official social media platforms.

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For more information about Fire Pit Outfitters, contact the company here:

Fire Pit Outfitters
David Resmo
(800) 979-3267
sales@coloradohearthandhome.com

CONTACT: David Resmo

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