I used to live my life indoors stuck in a cycle of bad habits. Change felt impossible. When I was overweight, battling addictions, and feeling lost, the four walls of my room felt like a prison I had built for myself. The thought of gratitude felt distant, almost like a luxury I hadn't earned. But the first real step toward a new life wasn't some grand gesture. It was simply opening the door and stepping outside.
Nature became my refuge. It was there, in the quiet presence of God's creation, that I began to heal. It’s where I started to untangle the mess in my head and replace old habits with a deep sense of thankfulness. If you feel overwhelmed or disconnected, I want to share something that helped me more than words can say. The world outside is waiting to remind you of all the good that still exists. You just have to step into it.
10 Ways to Practice Gratitude Outdoors
1. Take a Thankful Walk
This sounds simple but it’s powerful. Don’t just walk for exercise. Walk with the purpose of finding things to be thankful for. When I started my journey to lose over 110 pounds, my first walks were hard. But I forced myself to look around and name things. "Thank you God for this blue sky." "Thank you for the strength in my legs to take this step." "Thank you for this solid ground." It shifted my focus from the pain of the exercise to the gift of movement.
2. Listen to the Sounds of Creation
Find a bench or a quiet spot under a tree. Close your eyes for a moment and just listen. Don't try to empty your mind. Instead, fill it with the sounds around you. The birds chirping. The wind rustling through the leaves. Distant laughter from a park. Each sound is a part of a beautiful symphony. Give thanks for the gift of hearing and the peace that these simple sounds can bring.
3. Find the Small Wonders
We often look for big, breathtaking views but forget the beauty at our feet. Challenge yourself to find the tiny details. Look at the intricate pattern on a leaf. The smooth surface of a river stone. The determination of an ant carrying a crumb. Seeing the incredible detail in the smallest things reminds me of a careful Creator. It’s a humbling and beautiful way to connect with the world.
4. Watch a Sunrise or a Sunset
There is something truly special about watching the day begin or end. It’s a daily event that we so often miss. A sunrise holds the promise of a fresh start a gift of a new day. A sunset offers a moment of peaceful closure. Take a few minutes to just watch the colors change. It’s a perfect time to say a quiet prayer of thanks for the day that has passed or the one that is about to begin.
5. Have a Gratitude Conversation with God
You don’t need a church building to talk to God. The outdoors is His magnificent cathedral. Find a peaceful spot and just talk to Him as you would a friend. Thank Him out loud for what you see. Thank Him for your life, your breath, and the beauty He has placed all around you. This simple act of speaking your gratitude into the open air can make it feel more real and powerful.
6. Feel the Elements
We live so much of our lives in climate-controlled boxes. Go outside and truly feel the world. Feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Let the wind blow through your hair. Stand barefoot on the grass for a moment. Feel the cool air on your skin after it rains. These physical sensations connect us to the present moment and remind us to be thankful for our bodies and the senses God gave us.
7. Look for Signs of Resilience
Nature is constantly overcoming challenges. A flower pushing through a crack in the pavement. A tree growing strong despite being bent by the wind. An old stump sprouting new life. When you see these things, thank God for the example of resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that we too can find strength in difficult times and that new growth is always possible.
8. Share the Experience
Gratitude grows when it’s shared. Take a walk with a friend, your spouse, or your children. Point out the things you find beautiful. "Look at how green that moss is!" or "Did you hear that bird?" Sharing these simple joys not only deepens your own gratitude but also strengthens your connection with the people you care about.
9. Tend to Something Living
You don’t need a huge yard. Even a small potted plant on your balcony can be a source of gratitude. The act of watering it, of caring for something and watching it grow, is a wonderful lesson in faithfulness and life. It's a small, consistent act of giving back to creation, and it brings a quiet joy and a reason to give thanks for growth.
10. Keep a Simple Nature Log
This isn’t about writing your deepest feelings. It's much simpler. Get a small notebook and write down one thing you noticed outside each day. "Saw a bright red cardinal." "The air smelled like rain today." "The moon was incredibly bright tonight." This simple habit trains your brain to look for the good and the beautiful. Over time, you’ll have a personal record of small blessings you might have otherwise forgotten.
Gratitude isn't a feeling you wait for. It’s a choice you make. It’s a muscle you strengthen. For me, it was the key that unlocked the door out of a dark place. It turned my focus from what was wrong in my life to what was right, and so much of what was right was waiting for me just outside my door.
So here is my challenge to you: This week, pick just one thing from this list. Just one. Spend five minutes outside and try it. Don't overthink it. Just see how it feels to intentionally connect with the world and give thanks. What's one small piece of beauty you can find outside today?
