1,000 Hours Outside
A couple of weeks ago, when we were in the middle of our -40 degree temperatures here in Alberta, I came across this movement on Instagram that intrigued me… #1000hoursoutside
To be completely honest, part of me wanted to write it off, with the reasoning that this could never be something that would work where we live - Isn’t it just too cold?!? But no! I love the quote that goes “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” This quote comes from Scandinavia where they also deal with cold temperatures and long winters. As a side note, I also really want to read the book by the same name, it’s been on my wish list for a long time!
I just love this perspective though, and it had caused me to reflect on my own attitude when it comes to being outside in the cold. I don’t personally believe there is ever a perfect place to live, with a perfect climate… Shane and I both grew up in Chilliwack, BC (well, it’s one of the places I grew up lol) and Chilliwack is stunning, but it also gets a lot of rain, like a lot! And with our move to Texas this year, I’m well aware of just how hot it will get in the summer months - and I don’t want that to stop us from being outside! It hasn’t when we’ve visited and I don’t intend on changing that when we live there!
I’m not a scientist, or a doctor, but I know there are more benefits than I could count to spending time in the great outdoors! With kids getting, on average, 1,200 hours of screen time a year, it seems like a no brainer to focus on spending our time on more productive, healthy activities outside! Screens can be a easy trap to fall into when life gets busy, or the weather gets cold, but I know the research is there that points to the damaging effects! I’m not anti screens at all, but it something we are actively working to minimize in our house!
So, with all that being said, even though we’re basically at the end of January already, we’re committing to spend 1,000 hours outside this year!! Will we be able to do it? I sure do hope so! But for me, its more about the accountability and the mindfulness that comes with this challenge! I’m using the tracker specifically for the kids since it’s a bit of a different year for us with me being pregnant, then having a newborn, and then moving countries (LOL) but I will absolutely be joining then as much as I can, and Shane is out with them a lot of the time too!
Get Connected:
You can check out the official website here.
You can download a tracking sheet here. (There are lots of different formats to choose from!
You can following along on our journey here. I’ll mostly be sharing over on Instagram.
Make sure to follow #1000hoursoutside over on Instagram to see what others are doing!
Our kids already love playing outside but this has totally taken it to the next level for them… They are SO excited! They love the tracker and are just super keen to get their hours in!
Will you join me? Comment below and let me know so I can follow along on your journey! <3
Until I blog again,
Alex
