Author: In Need of Nature
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🏹 Upgrading My Bow & Rediscovering My Love for Archery
After almost 7 months away from the range (thank you, winter), I finally upgraded my bow — and I honestly couldn’t be more excited. The moment I pulled it back, I felt everything I’ve missed about archery come rushing back in. For me, archery has become something way more than a hobby. It’s healing. It’s…
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Growing Through Life: Learning to Face Everything, Even the Hard Stuff
Grief cracked me wide open this year. Losing my dad shattered the version of life I thought I knew, and I’ve been learning to live inside that new reality—messy, raw, and unexpectedly tender. What I used to mock—journaling, poetry, meditation—has become what’s saving me. This post is about learning to actually feel life as it…
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Growing Through Grief: Losing a Parent, Loving His Memory, and Choosing My Own Birthday Card
Losing my dad, who struggled with addiction, has been a complicated kind of grief—full of love, pain, and unanswered questions. With my first birthday without him approaching, I’m feeling the absence deeply. Every year, he gave me a heartfelt card, always sweet, always sincere. It was his way of showing up, even when life made…
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Gearing Up for Our 2024 Camping/Hunting Trip: The Ultimate Checklist
As the 2024 camping and hunting season approaches, it’s time to start gearing up for the adventure. Packing for a camping trip requires careful planning to ensure you have everything you need for comfort, safety, and convenience. With that in mind, I’ve put together a detailed list of everything we’ll need to make this trip…
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Nurturing Growth: How Succulents (and a Little Dirt) Strengthened Our Bond
From one small succulent to a thriving collection, and from a patchy yard to lush grass—how gardening together helped us grow plants, a home, and a stronger bond.
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From Silence to Strength: My Journey
I work at a small café, tending bar, serving food, and greeting the familiar faces of our regulars. Most days, it’s a decent job — I get to connect with people, make a few smiles happen, and earn a living in a space that feels almost like a second home. But there’s always a shadow…
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Finding Light in the Darkness — How Journaling and Meditation Have Changed My Life
The last few months broke me open in ways I never expected. I lost a parent. I faced conflict at work. I questioned everything — including myself. But through that darkness, I found two practices that helped me find my way back to the light: journaling and meditation. What started as a desperate attempt to…
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A Meditation on Loving-Kindness and Self-Compassion
Excerpt: Meditation has a way of revealing truths we often overlook—especially when it comes to self-compassion. During a recent session, I focused on extending the same loving-kindness I give to others to myself—past, present, and future. I realized that the warmth and encouragement I receive from my partner, Jacob, have shaped me in ways I…
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The Power of Letting Go: Why You Don’t Have to Be Perfect Every Day
I used to think that if I didn’t do something every single day, I was failing. If I missed a journaling session, skipped meditation, or took a rest day from working out, I’d guilt-trip myself into thinking I wasn’t committed. But here’s what I’ve learned: perfection isn’t necessary for progress—and, in fact, it often holds…
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Preparing for Adventure: Lessons from TAC, Camping, and Hunting
Three years ago, I embarked on my first Total Archery Challenge (TAC) with excitement and anticipation. However, I quickly realized how easy it was to get hurt in the mountains. On the very first day, as I walked down the mountain to the lift to start the course, I injured my knee. My adventure ended…
In Need of Nature 