Tuesday, September 15, 2020

A Timely Note to the Readers of Green Goddess Glamping


It's been eleven days since I last published a Green Goddess Glamping blog post. This is unusual for this blog because I nearly always post post once a week and often twice a week. However, I'm seven days into a two-week "staycation" at Rathbun Lake, which is a little over an hour's drive from my home. Between preparing for my longer stay, resting here at the lake (one of this trip's goals), and then taking daily bike rides after an initial four days of rain, I just haven't completed any articles.

The irony is that I have about six articles in various stages of completion, yet I'm not quite finished with any. Between bike rides and naps, I've been too busy--if "busy" is the right word. Part of my rest time has also been psychological and emotional rest from the "new norm" of the world. I've been feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and just felt the need for a respite . . . and so here I sit in my tiny trailer, typing by touch and looking out at the tranquil waters of the lake, a soft breeze rustling the leaves of the oak and juniper trees near my campsite, and the quiet of the day dominating even the sound of the trucks on the local highway. Buck Creek Campground is not deep, primal nature by any means, but it's a pretty fine big backyard.

Yesterday I ran across a term that defines part of the angst I've been experiencing: doomscrolling, spending excessive time reading negative news articles, kind of dumpster-diving news reading. I wrote an article about the term and its relevance to our current lives and want to share it with my tiny trailer readers. The article talks about how putting our attention excessively and needlessly on negative information can lessen our appreciation and enjoyment of life. The article includes some research I did.

As I wrote the above paragraph, a kayaker paddled through my line of vision on the lake. And, yes, this is relevant because right now I am not doomscrolling. I'm engaged in purposeful, positive activity, and I'm doing it in a nurturing, enlivening environment. The article I wrote is posted on Tom Kepler Writing: "Down with Doomscrolling!" (By the way, this activity is also referred to as doomsurfing.)

I plan for this next week to complete more articles about this staycation here by the lake: an article about the rain and my Clam Quick Set shelter, an article about my bicycle day rides, a "staycation" article--these are a few possibilities. In the meantime, I want to share the idea that the reason many of us camp is exactly the reason we should avoid doomscrolling. Although I'm not posting this on the Facebook camping groups I belong to, I'm publishing it and am glad to share it with those who follow this blog. I believe that although we have a responsibility to keep ourselves informed, we don't need to wallow in the woes of the world. And here by the lake I can affirm that being outside and camping is a good way to increase the positivity in one's life.


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4 comments:

  1. We spent last week camping our way down the Blue Ridge Parkway and rarely had cell service the entire week. It was glorious.

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    1. I've found in the last few days that if I go to my cellphone news app looking for specific information, I can easily find it in 10-15 minutes. I'm saving a lot of daylight by limiting my phone activity. Being off the communications horizon, of course, is an even more "total immersion" experience in being off the grid. Thanks for responding.

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  2. I just wanted to thank you for this blog. Articles like this give me a target on my own journey - camping as well as perspective. I'm in the process of setting up gear to overcome limitations (I'm a single 67 year old adventurer and can't lift as much by myself as when younger). I bought an EZ-Rec Rack to lift my Quick Set Clam on top of my SUV so I can use it as a satellite living area when I get my new teardrop and get back out there. I bought an E-bike that is almost completely assembled and in a few days will learn how to ride it. The off road TD, Clam, e-bike and off road SUV will take me places I've dreamed of for most of my life. My tools like the EZ-Rec rack will help me get there. I look forward to your next posts.

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    1. Funny you should mention your Clam, Nancy, because I just published an account of my experience with the shelter. It sounds exciting how you are planning and creating your camping lifestyle. Be sure to keep me posted on your progress. When you get all set up, please let me know. I'd like to write an article about how it's possible to plan for a tiny trailer camping experience even with some physical challenges. I can relate to those challenges. This is the first year (and I'm 68) that I've found some weakness in my back, which thankfully hasn't limited me yet but has certainly made me approach activity more cautiously. Keep me informed! Your comments were exciting.

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