Hi Reader!

Happy first week of April. 🌼 I hope you didn't have any pranks pulled on you earlier this week!

I'm getting into the swing of half marathon training and acclimating my body to all this running with lots of easy, slow miles. I'm thankful for the perfect running weather of early spring in Los Angeles :)

Let's dive into today's newsletter!

Adventures

My calendar recently went from completely open to mostly filled, which means I need to be more intentional with how I plan my time. I'm suddenly finding myself needing to schedule out my adventures further in advance or they'll never happen.

I'm more used to spontaneous trips, but it's also nice to know my schedule a month or two out. I'm embracing this new chapter and finding joy in filling in the spaces in my calendar with nature outings, big and small :)

Life gets busy. Between work, errands, social commitments, and everything else life throws at us, it can feel impossible to carve out time for adventure. You have to make time for it, the same way you schedule meetings, workouts, or catch-ups with friends. If you wait for the “perfect” time, you’ll keep waiting forever.

So, how do you fit adventure into a packed schedule? Here are a few ideas to help you prioritize the outdoors without sacrificing your responsibilities.

📆 Treat Adventure Like Any Other Commitment

If you had a doctor’s appointment, you wouldn’t cancel it just because you got busy, right? Treat your outdoor time the same way. Whether it’s a morning hike, an overnight camping trip, or a full weekend in the mountains, put it on your calendar in advance and protect that time like you would any other important commitment.

A great trick is to set a recurring adventure block — maybe every Saturday morning is your designated trail time, or the first weekend of every month is your camping weekend. When it’s already in your schedule, you’re much more likely to make it happen.

🔎 Start Small—Microadventures Matter

You don’t need to plan a week-long backpacking trip to feel the benefits of the outdoors. Microadventures — short, local excursions — can be just as refreshing. Try a sunrise hike before work, a lunchtime park walk, or an evening hammock session with a book.

If you can’t get out of town, bring nature to you. Eat a meal outside, take your morning coffee to the backyard, or open your windows and let the fresh air in while you work.

One of my favorite ways to get outdoors is to walk my dog, Pico, through a new (to us) neighborhood and admire all the beautiful, blooming plants.

I've become a pro at finding bits of nature day to day, like these vine-covered walls!

⌛️ Plan Ahead for Efficiency

One of the biggest barriers to adventure is the prep time. If packing and planning feel like a hassle, you’re less likely to go. Make things easier by keeping a grab-and-go adventure bag with essentials like snacks, a water bottle, a headlamp, and a small emergency kit. Keep your hiking gear in one spot so you can get out the door quickly.

If you’re aiming for a longer trip, plan it in advance so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Have a list of nearby trails and campsites ready so that when you have a free weekend, you can hit the road without hesitation.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Say No to Make Room for Yes

Sometimes, making time for adventure means cutting out something else. Look at your schedule and ask yourself: what’s taking up my time that doesn’t bring me joy? Maybe it’s a social event you don’t really want to attend, or another hour of scrolling on your phone.

Saying no to things that don’t serve you gives you the freedom to say yes to the outdoors. Protect your time and energy for the things that truly make you feel alive.

👯‍♀️ Find an Adventure Buddy (or Go Solo!)

If accountability helps you commit, find a friend who also wants to get outside regularly. Planning adventures together makes it easier to follow through.

That said, don’t be afraid to venture out solo — waiting for others to be available can sometimes delay your plans. If no one else is free, go anyway! Some of the most rewarding experiences happen when you embrace solo adventure.

At the end of the day, spending time outside isn’t just about having fun — it’s an investment in your mental and physical well-being. Prioritizing adventure isn’t selfish; it’s self-care.

So, look at your schedule right now. Find a block of time, no matter how small, and make space for your next adventure. You won’t regret it. 🌿🏕️✨

& S'more

I'm experimenting this year with setting quarterly goals for myself. One of my goals for Q1 was to run/cycle at least 75 miles, with 3.5 cycling miles equaling 1 mile. I'm happy to report I achieved this goal, reaching 114.5 miles over the first three months of the year!

This mini quarterly goal was a big part of what inspired me to register for my upcoming half marathon. I realized I was capable of putting in consistent miles and I was already noticing my cardio improving, so setting this bigger goal felt achievable with a little extra work.

I've been mulling over my ideas for my goals in Q2 and was having a hard time choosing goals that will move me toward my long-term goals and not become a distraction from my focus. In the end, this is what I landed on:

1. 10,000 steps per day 🏃🏻‍♀️

I have an advantage because I'm running 5x/week for my half marathon training. I'm hoping this goal encourages me to get those steps in and avoid becoming a couch potato on my two non-running days each week. I've never been able to stick to a step goal before, so it will be interesting to see how this shakes out for me in Q2!

2. Hike 6 new trails in the area 🥾

I've been wanting to go on at least two outdoor adventures each month this year, so I'm expanding that goal to be exclusively new trails for the next quarter. This should also help get me to my step goal. 🤭 I'll share those trips here and in blog posts over the coming months!

3. Publish 10 YouTube videos ▶️

Last and most importantly, my top priority is to get consistent with my long-form videos! Since my time is more limited now, I'm working on finding a good editor to help me out. Fingers crossed, I'll have my first video back within the coming week.

What goals do you have this quarter? If you made any resolutions for the new year, what mini goal will help get you there?

Once my half marathon training is over, I'm already looking forward to picking up the challenge of being able to do a handstand! 🤸🏻‍♀️

Thank you for making it to the end. Have an amazing rest of your week!

Happy adventuring,

💚A