The Antidote to Hurry: Getting Outside in Daily Life
We live in a world where the default answer to “How are you?” is almost always the same: “Busy.” But behind that word, we’re usually describing something deeper—something heavier. It’s not just full calendars and long to-do lists. It’s the rushed feeling that never quite goes away. It’s hurry.
We’ve built this pace of life ourselves. We pack our kids’ schedules with activities, we fill our own with work, chores, and endless scrolling. Even in the in-between moments—waiting in line, winding down at night—we grab our phones, turn on a show, and fill the silence. We flood every open space with noise, motion, or distraction.
But why? What are we avoiding by never stopping? Could it be that we’re afraid of what we’ll hear if we let things get quiet? That if we stopped and sat still for even a few minutes, we might be faced with some hard questions: How am I really doing? What’s weighing on me? What needs to change?
The truth is, we’re starved for stillness. And we’re parched for solitude. We’ve lost the habit of being quiet and alone with our thoughts. But there is an antidote—and it’s not complicated.
Get outside.
I’ve found that the most healing moments in my day happen outdoors, in the quiet. For me, that place is early morning in the hot tub, while the world is still dark and cool. It’s where I pray. It’s where I think. It’s where I reset. That time is not about productivity or noise—it’s about presence.
You don’t need a mountain view or a luxury setup. You just need a spot. Maybe it’s your porch, a bench in the backyard, or a quiet stretch of trail. Wherever it is, let it become a place of stillness.
Leave your phone inside. Shut the laptop. Turn off the TV. And just sit. Be still. And if you’re like most people, you’ll be surprised at how hard that is at first. Five minutes of doing nothing will feel like a challenge. Your mind will race. You’ll think of things you should be doing. That’s okay. Stick with it.
Solitude is a practice. It takes time. But the rewards are real. When we quiet ourselves and step outside, we begin to hear things again—our own thoughts, God’s voice, the sound of our breath and the birds and the wind. Our soul, tired and stretched thin, begins to breathe again.
Getting outdoors in daily life isn’t just a lifestyle shift—it’s a rescue. In a world rushing by, stillness is the rebel act we need. And creation—God’s handiwork—is waiting to welcome us back.
Written by: Brian Mininger
I am originally from Waynesboro, VA and currently reside here with my wife and four daughters: Michaela, Anna, Rachel, and Kaitlyn. In my downtime, I really enjoy participating in activities for my daughters and the events that are going on at their schools. I also really love being outdoors. Specifically, hiking in Shenandoah National Park and trail running. I have competed in a few ultra-events and look forward to running more races in the future.