🌿 Days 26–30: A Camping Interlude of Growth, Gratitude, and Chipmunks 🌿

Okay, I’ll admit it—I’ve been a little MIA this week. The truth? I took some me time. We went camping, the weather was chef’s kiss, the mountain views were soul-soothing, and there’s just something magical about breathing in fresh, pine-scented air and feeling the sun on your face that makes you forget about your to-do list.

I’m back now, and here’s the scoop on Days 26-30 of the May Mental Health Challenge:

🌈 Day 26 – Indulge Your Inner Child

(Confession: I swapped this with Journal Your Feelings earlier, but I finally got around to it. Phew!)

When I was a kid, camping was the thing. We were those kids who’d disappear all day, walking to the store for candy, paddle-boating across the lake, exploring every nook of the campground, and only showing up when dinner hit the table. (Missing dinner? Not an option. Starving kids have no boundaries.)So, I let my inner child lead the way—straight to the campground store. I grabbed a cup of gummy candies (nostalgic much?) and tore into them with pure, unfiltered joy. About five gummies in, I realized... how did I ever eat a whole bag of these as a kid and not bounce off the walls? Well, I did bounce off the walls—turns out sugar is basically rocket fuel for kids.

The best part? It wasn’t just the sugar buzz. It was the freedom, the laughter, the rush of memories. That evening, I treated myself to an ice cream sandwich (a classic), while my spouse went for a Revello bar. We grinned like kids on the last day of school.

Lesson: Sometimes, it’s not about what you do, but how you feel while doing it. Let your inner child out to play—you might just remember what joy tastes like.

🛠 Day 27 – Fix One Thing That’s Bugging You

Let’s talk trailers. More specifically: I learned how to hitch, drive, and park a trailer. Yep—me, the girl who once thought “Andersen Hitch” was a fancy Scandinavian furniture company.

It was nerve-wracking, but I did it. I backed the trailer up, parked it without taking out a tree or another trailer (go me!), and felt like a total boss. Fear? Faced it. Problem? Fixed it. My confidence level? Leveled up.

🫶 Day 28 – Don’t Complain for a Whole Day

Honestly? Easier than I thought. When you’re camping, the world slows down. I spent the whole day reading, walking my dog (a.k.a. Sniff Season MVP), and soaking in the quiet.

Surprise discovery: A day without complaining felt light. I didn’t feel weighed down by small annoyances or the need to vent. I might just make this a weekly practice—who knew?!

📸 Day 29 – Take Photos of Happy Things

Enter: The Chipmunk Chronicles.

This bold little dude practically crawled into my lap. I managed to grab a video and a few pictures before a big bird swooped overhead, and the chipmunk vanished like a ninja. Watching those videos now, I’m grinning from ear to ear.

There’s something about capturing small moments of joy that makes your heart feel a little lighter, you know?

💖 Day 30 – Make a List of Things You Like About Yourself

This one? Hard.

I didn’t want to ask others what they liked about me—I wanted it to come from me. And honestly, it’s a work in progress.

But here’s what I do know:I like that I help others. That I show up here, writing this blog, sharing my journey, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone out there feels a little less alone because of it.

It’s not sad. It’s real. I’m learning who I am—piece by piece, day by day. And that, my friends, is worth celebrating.

🌿 The Science Behind It All: Evidence & Insights 🌿

✅ Indulge Your Inner Child: Research shows that engaging in playful, nostalgic activities boosts dopamine (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) and reduces stress. It’s also linked to increased creativity and resilience. So go buy that candy, swing on a swing, or splash in a puddle—it’s good for your brain!

✅ Fix What’s Bugging You: Tackling nagging tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment, reduces anxiety, and builds self-efficacy. Studies show that action is a powerful antidote to stress.

✅ Don’t Complain for a Day: Gratitude practices (like not complaining) can lower cortisol, reduce inflammation, and boost mood. Simply put: positivity rewires your brain.

✅ Take Photos of Happy Things: Research suggests that capturing moments of joy enhances our ability to savor them later, reinforcing positive memories and counteracting negativity bias.

✅ Make a List of Things You Like About Yourself: Self-compassion and self-affirmation are proven to improve mental health outcomes, lower stress, and even enhance physical well-being. It’s not fluff—it’s science.