To be honest, it was the rain that inspired me to write this post. It’s been raining here for a week, which isn’t unusual ━ it’s autumn, and the weather is dark, cold, and wet, just as it should be. But what really sparked my thoughts were people’s reactions to the weather.
Walking down the street, you can hear people complaining: “It’s too gloomy,” “Will this rain ever stop?” or “It’s so cold.” And sure, if you don’t like this kind of weather, that’s understandable. But give these same people a sunny day, and they’ll complain that it’s too hot.
The simple truth is, we’re rarely satisfied. Or maybe we’ve just become spoiled by the comforts of modern life.
Whichever it is, I believe it’s doing us a disservice, because it only pushes us further away from nature.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.“
– Alfred Wainwright
There are two sides to everything, and with that in mind, have you ever noticed how the sun can energize you, how the rain can calm you, how the wind on a hot summer day feels like a blessing, and how snow brings out a child in all of us?
Unfortunately, it’s in our nature to focus on the negative. I’ve seen people actively search for reasons to feel bad about. So, I decided to remind both you and myself of the positives that “bad” weather brings.
By the end of this post, maybe we’ll feel inspired to dance in the rain, play in the snow, or enjoy a lovely summer breeze ━ and be grateful that we get to experience it.
There is no bad weather
We often hear people complain about “bad weather”, but in truth, there is no such thing (*disclaimer: I’m not referring to tropical storms, damaging thunderstorms, or extreme weather events. I’m talking about usual, day-to-day weather we all experience regularly).
Every type of weather has its own beauty and benefits. Rain nourishes the earth and cleans the air, snow blankets the world in silence, allowing us to slow down and wind refreshes the atmosphere.
If we shift our mindset just slightly, we could begin to appreciate the gifts nature offers us in every weather condition.
Don’t be afraid to go out
Nature doesn’t stop for rain or snow, and neither should we. Life continues, and so should our connection to the outdoors, regardless of the forecast.
I know it’s easy to stay indoors when the weather isn’t “ideal”, but stepping out into the rain or snow can be a great experience. Practice mindfulness by noticing the crisp air or the sensation of water or snowflakes against your skin.
Plus, being outside in harsher weather teaches us resilience and reminds us to be grateful for the roof over our heads and the warm shelter we can retreat to whenever we need.
We are spending too much time indoors
Modern life has pushed us indoors and keeps us there. Watching tv, playing video games, working out, even working from home, all of it pulls us inside, and so we stay. Sometimes, we spend the entire day in front of screens, surrounded by artificial light, without even realizing how much time has passed.
And the longer we stay inside, the more we lose touch with the rhythms of nature, the more spoiled we become.
Going out, even briefly, can lighten our mood, improve our mental health, and help us connect with our planet.
Nature is free, ever-present healer, yet we so often ignore it.
Conclusion
Being in nature during different weather conditions teaches us that discomfort is temporary and helps us appreciate the comfort we have. Braving the elements builds resilience, both physically and mentally. We learn to adapt, to endure and appreciate our planet in all its forms. This resilience carries over into our daily lives, reminding us that we are capable of facing challenges, just as we face storms.
Nature toughens us, while also grounding us, making us more aware of this beautiful planet we live on and all the magic it holds.