Seth James Farrell

In our current climate, most of my time is spent at home, specifically in a handful of the same rooms, in what has come to feel like a twisted version of Groundhogs Day (which coincidentally is also my actual bday, haha). This time has also been spent almost entirely alone and staring at the same walls, which without real human interaction will inevitably drive a person a little crazy. Whether intended or not this has started to become apart of my home's sense of place and the view I have of it, which intern reflects directly on my own personal health. Enter the outdoors. I have always been someone that spends a lot of time outside, but of late I have been spending more and more of my time outside to counteract the negativativity associated with the aforementioned feelings of my "home sense", or so we'll call it. Hiking or trail running through forest park, going on long bike rides, or just simply sitting outside in the sun where walls don't exist have been a few of my constant companions in this battle with interminable isolation. Spending more time outdoors has become a release, an escape from mediocrity and a chance to clear my mind of the negativity that so easily creeps in when spending countless hours staring into contrasting sizes of technology. When outdoors I am not quite as lonely though I am still alone. My perspective shifts to a place of personal capability and thankfulness for what I do have vs. what I am lacking, causing the walls I have come to resent at times to become a safe place of shelter and nurturing upon my return home. This is how my time in the outdoors enhances my sense of place. It gives me a much needed sense of substantive renewal.