Finding Stillness in Motion: How Nature Transformed My Routine

If you’ve been following along, you probably know about my “beaver buddy.” He’d taken up residence along the Steveston boardwalk in the Spring, and more mornings than not, he and I crossed paths on my runs. Somewhere along the way, he became a quiet symbol of consistency and calm in a world that can feel like it’s always rushing.

Each morning when I lace up and head out along the Fraser, it feels less like a workout and more like a ritual—a grounding pause before the day takes off. Spring gave me lilacs and long, light-filled mornings. Now, as the seasons shift, I’m leaning into cooler air, shorter days, and the quiet that comes with darker mornings. The beauty is still there—it just looks and feels a little different.

A year ago, running was pavement and traffic lights in central Richmond. I did it because I needed to. Now, back to being surrounded by water, birds, and shifting skies, running feels like it gives back to me. It’s my reminder that nature doesn’t just frame the backdrop of our days—it restores us, even in small doses.

Science backs this up too: just 20 minutes in nature can lower cortisol, ease anxiety, sharpen focus, and even boost immunity. You don’t have to run to feel it. A walk through falling leaves, a few breaths under a tree, or simply noticing the rhythm of the tide—it’s all therapy, freely available and right outside your door.

For me, running remains my anchor for both body and mind, but these days it’s also about reconnection—with nature, with presence, with myself. And as routines ramp up with school schedules and the days grow shorter, that reconnection feels even more important.

So whether you’re lacing up for a run, strolling through the neighborhood, or just taking a mindful breath outside between errands—consider this your nudge to make space for nature. It’s a simple way to find calm in the midst of busy.

And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even run into a local. 🦫🍂