A Day Off with No Agenda

being curious in my own backyard

Hello! I’m glad you’re here!

I recently took a day off with no plans and no agenda - just time to exist and see where my curiosity led me. The world is full of tiny wonders and with spring here, I’ve been itching to slow down, pay attention, and see what I can discover.

I tried relaxing inside for a while before moving my no plans day outside, but the sunshine was calling me so I ended up outside in my backyard, simply listening and looking. The birds were busy chattering with calls I realized I wanted to recognize. I pulled out the Merlin Bird ID app to capture their songs, which helped me match the chirps to the bird above me in the tree. There’s something so grounding about knowing the species you share a space with.

My curiosity didn’t stop there. As I raked leaves from our fence line, I started noticing tiny movements in the grass - BUGS! You know I love finding insects and learning about them, so I snapped some photos and, with the help of the iNaturalist app, I was able to identify them! My curiosity starts in the iNaturalist app and, usually quickly, moves to Google for more information on typical habitats, life cycles, and the role an insect plays in the environment. Trust me, bugs are so much cooler than they get credit for!

Between these little curiosity breaks, I also managed to get some yard work done. Last year, pocket gophers moved in and left large grassless patches behind, so I worked in bursts to prep the surrounding grass and soil for seed. The balance of effort and rest felt natural and restorative. I worked until I wanted a break, then sat in the sun to eat lunch (chips & guac), listening to the birds, watching planes, and letting the sun recharge me. Baxter, my ever-present companion, sat beside me sniffing the spring air appreciating the moment with me.

While thinking of ways to make my backyard more inviting to dragonflies (they eat mosquitos!) - since they like water, cooler temperatures, and sticks to perch on - excitement sparked a new idea! I decided to create tiny bee cups for my planter boxes to provide small reservoirs of water for insects. Once I made one, I found myself having even more fun with the idea and why stop at bee cups?

I could turn my planter boxes into a full fairy garden! The thought of crafting tiny fairy houses and whimsical details filled me with delight and excitement. It makes me wonder about inner child work and if leaning into being a tomboy and an athlete as a kid prevented me from not enjoying things that I felt were for ‘girly girls.’ But now I just want to create a fun space that invites real-life pollinators and a bit of childhood magic.

Once the sun set, I felt like I had spent the day in a quiet adventure that didn’t require travel or an itinerary - just a willingness to pay attention. Sometimes the best days are the ones where we let curiosity guide us.

To make sure I remember these little discoveries, I document them in my stream of consciousness journal. I jot down the insects I identified, the birds I heard, and the plants I noticed, along with something fascinating I learned about each. Writing them down not only helps me remember but also keeps my curiosity alive. Curiosity thrives when we nurture it, and documenting what we learn makes us more likely to keep wondering, questioning, and noticing the small marvels around us.

Journal Reflections on Curiosity:

• What’s the last small thing in nature (or inside!) that caught your attention? What did you learn about it?

• If you were to step outside right now and look closely at the ground, the trees, or the sky, what might you observe?

• How can you encourage your own curiosity more often in your daily life?

See you soon and happy journaling!

Natasha <3