Hi, I’m Makenzie, and welcome to In Need of Nature — a space for slowing down, stepping outside, and finding healing in the wild.
This is where my love for mountains, animals, coffee, creativity, and intentional living comes together. Life hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve learned that the most meaningful growth often happens in the quiet moments — watching the sunrise on a hike, caring for alpacas on a homestead, or sitting with a warm cup of coffee after a long day.
I created this space to share stories, reflections, and resources that help others reconnect with themselves and the outdoors. Whether it’s through my personal essays about grief and growth, practical guides for homesteading and organization, archery tips, or coffee rituals, my goal is to inspire calm, creativity, and purpose in everyday life.
I’m also a registered nurse (RN) with a passion for wellness, mental health support, and caregiving without losing yourself. Here, you’ll find FREE downloadable tools — from nursing notes and planners to camping checklists and homestead guides — designed to make life a little easier while keeping it grounded in nature.
At In Need of Nature, you’ll find:
- Stories from the Wild — reflections, grief, and personal growth inspired by the outdoors
- Coffee & Comfort — latte art, drink recipes, and cozy routines
- Life Outside — camping, hiking, archery, and outdoor adventures
- Homestead Dreams — animals, gardens, and building your dream life in nature
- Wellness in Nature — nursing insights, postpartum support, mental health, and self-care
- Creative Living — personal growth, creativity, boundaries, and embracing failure
This is a space to explore, reflect, create, and grow — a place to grab a free resource, read a story, or just breathe in the virtual fresh air.
Thank you for being here — I hope you find inspiration, support, and a little peace in these pages.
— Makenzie
Day 6: When You Have Just Enough Beans and Barley Enough Milk
On Day 6 of my Bartender to Barista journey, I learned that sometimes you have just enough beans and barely enough milk — and that has to be enough. This cup didn’t turn out picture-perfect. The milk was foamier than I intended (you can even hear how much air I accidentally added while adjusting the…
Day 5: Proof in the Pour — When Practice Finally Shows Up
Proof in the pour: after months of practicing in the quiet middle — stretching milk, fixing foam, pouring heart after heart that didn’t quite land — I finally created one I’m proud of. Not perfectly centered. Not flawless. But earned. Day 5 of my becoming-a-barista journey is about the moment progress stops feeling hopeful and…
Confessions of a Dirty Espresso Machine: How Cleaning My Barista Express Saved My Coffee (and My Pride)
Cleaning your espresso machine isn’t the glamorous part of making coffee—but it might be the most important. After unknowingly skipping a filter change (okay… for three months 😅), I learned the hard way how much maintenance impacts taste. This post breaks down my simple espresso cleaning checklist, the tools I swear by, and how keeping…
In Need of Nature 