The outdoors is more than just a beautiful sight, it holds a sense of freedom and adventure that can’t be experienced on a screen. Many people find themselves endlessly scrolling, sitting on the couch, or playing their favorite video game, none of which provide the same feeling as the outdoors.
I go outside because it makes me feel free. I strive for the adventure, the exploration, and even just the chance to move. The last time I went outside was to go hit bike jumps with my friends. The warm rays of the sun on my skin, the fresh air, and the adrenaline rush, everything was great. The kind of experience that you can’t get on a TV.
Too many people, teenagers in particular, are missing out on the feeling of freedom. Instead of finding new places, things they want to experience, or meeting new people just by walking around, they’re glued to a screen, playing video games or binging a TV show. They’re missing out on the fresh air, the sunshine, the real world. The worst part is, many of these people don’t realize they’re doing it; their brain is just on autopilot.
Being inside can feel like it’s consuming your life, the same old thing day after day, with no change. The second you step outside, everything changes; the possibilities are nearly endless. You could fish, hike, camp, golf, go for a run, or just sit and feel the sun on your skin. Either way, it’s healthy and gives you a feeling that you couldn’t get from a game, and teaches you things that a screen can’t: patience, communication, confidence, or even just how to enjoy your own company.
Technology isn’t evil, it’s just a barricade that separates people from true connection and reality–from friends, family, nature, even themselves. People weren’t created to sit and scroll on Instagram or TikTok, they were made to explore and use their imagination.
According to icewear.is, “16 to 30 year olds have seen the biggest drop in ‘outdoor’ time (20%), when compared to their age bracket in the 1970s.”
Before iPhones, PS4s, or Xboxes, people were outside, maybe not because they wanted to be but because they had to, not because they weren’t allowed in the house, but because they wanted to feel something. Back then, people couldn’t press a button on a controller and be consumed into an alternate reality; in order for their dopamine receptors to be triggered, they had to go experience life, spending time with the ones they care about, and doing the things they love.
If you’re someone who chose to read this piece, this is your reminder, or rather, your motivation. Open the door of your cave and go outside; you never know what you will find waiting for you in the open space.
