Natural Spaces

Chetco’s Outside

“Natural Spaces”

by Chetco Timmins

So it's Saturday, and I'm at the park. I prefer making these videos outside because I like the environment for this type of reflection. I'm outside making these videos to encourage thoughts about the outdoors, yet the only time I really spend outdoors is when I make these videos, because of my schedule.

I do live in a city, so I have to drive to the park. There's a park I can walk to. There’s also a park by my work that I visit sometimes during my break, but city parks are artificial structures meant to evoke ideas of nature. Even the concept of grass is a bizarre human invention.

Here, I'm at a different kind of park. There's a little landscaping, but not as much, and I like these spaces. That's why I make videos in these spaces, but it's ironic that the only time I’m in them is when I’m making videos. I do try to go on hikes every weekend, but even then, you're on a trail, and it feels bizarre that you have to go so out of your way to be in "natural" spaces.

Finding untouched spaces is nearly impossible, given how long humans have inhabited these areas. Still, you can tell when something feels less structured compared to a city park. However, none of my daily habits take place in these environments. I don’t eat, sleep, cook, work, or play here. I don’t lounge here, and I think a lot of people could say the same.

I used to be the kind of person who would sleep, play, cook, and lounge in these places all the time when I lived in my van and worked outdoors. I miss that a lot. I came back to the city to try to make more money, and I’m not sure yet if it’s worth the trade-off. It feels a bit odd.

I’ve seen the other side, and I know what I’m missing out on. A lot of people haven’t experienced that, so it’s easy for them to stay content with their routine. I went into outdoor education because I was unhappy with city life, and I wanted to explore other options. Knowing that there are other ways to live helps me feel less trapped; otherwise, I’d feel very distraught. I don't expect anyone to spend time outside if it doesn’t fit their normal rhythms. The goal, I think, should be to introduce your normal routines to the outdoors and combine the two. It's a pity that it's so easy to maintain a clear distinction between everyday life and outdoor recreation.

One of my students has an REI water bottle that says, "A life outdoors is a life well spent," and I couldn’t agree more.

Watch the full video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUeAbGn6Dc&t=1s