Thank you for this inspirational note, Meghan. I think you’ve really captured the essence of friluftsliv and the impact it can have. Like you, I’ve always been goal driven, but more so in my professional life than in the outdoors. I think a lot of that has to do with being steeped in the culture of friluftsliv. While I still enjoy challenging myself physically outdoors, having nature as my “non-competitive zone” really helps me cope with other stressors in life.
Thanks for the comment, Linda. Looking back, I wasn’t raised in a culture steeped in friluftsliv but I am grateful to have been raised in the 80s/90s when we played outside every day. It was its own way of life, and one I encourage my kids to embrace. But the cultural aspects made it so that it was like a pool we were dipping in and out of, not swimming in all the time.
It’s not so binary that I was always passing through nature like it was an arena, but I think I’ve been missing what you describe as that non-competitive space to simply be. I’ve had tastes of it here and there and some truly magical moments with Nature. The shift I’m feeling is one towards something much deeper and richer—familiar—which is why I’m so drawn to learn more from Indigenous wisdom too.
Us Canadians could sure take a lesson or two from the Nordic cultures. 🙂
Thank you for this inspirational note, Meghan. I think you’ve really captured the essence of friluftsliv and the impact it can have. Like you, I’ve always been goal driven, but more so in my professional life than in the outdoors. I think a lot of that has to do with being steeped in the culture of friluftsliv. While I still enjoy challenging myself physically outdoors, having nature as my “non-competitive zone” really helps me cope with other stressors in life.
Thanks for the comment, Linda. Looking back, I wasn’t raised in a culture steeped in friluftsliv but I am grateful to have been raised in the 80s/90s when we played outside every day. It was its own way of life, and one I encourage my kids to embrace. But the cultural aspects made it so that it was like a pool we were dipping in and out of, not swimming in all the time.
It’s not so binary that I was always passing through nature like it was an arena, but I think I’ve been missing what you describe as that non-competitive space to simply be. I’ve had tastes of it here and there and some truly magical moments with Nature. The shift I’m feeling is one towards something much deeper and richer—familiar—which is why I’m so drawn to learn more from Indigenous wisdom too.
Us Canadians could sure take a lesson or two from the Nordic cultures. 🙂