Everyday Intentional

08/31/2026

Knowing that scrolling wouldn’t be my next right step after a grueling day of meetings and a 7-hour training, I stepped out onto the porch instead.

Best decision I made all day.

Why? Turns out that looking at the sky is a scientifically proven tool for mental restoration. Watching the clouds drift engages our “soft fascination”—a gentle, effortless attention that lets an overstimulated brain finally rest and recover.

It also triggers the “small self” effect. That sudden sense of awe gently shrinks our daily worries, reminding us that our current stressors are just a tiny part of a much bigger, ever-changing picture.

When you’ve used up all your attention, do yourself a favor: step outside, widen your vision, and look up.

Follow me for more nature based wellbeing tips and inspiration.

restoration

08/29/2026

Tending to myself in nature.

08/18/2026

I woke up this morning and started moving fast. Quickly thinking about the day ahead.

I had a head full of work details, things to be done, conversations to be had, and I could feel myself ramping up.

Rushing from the shower to working out and turning on my computer. In that moment, I noticed my racing mind and thought what do you want to do with this moment?

I still had 10 minutes left until I had to start work. Instead of getting an extra 10 minutes of work done I decided to follow my intention and step outside….

feeling the slowing of my breath,
a steadying pace,
as I wandered-
Receiving the beauty around me
-the sites, the sounds, the smell.

With each step, my body more and more relaxed.

Up and down one street is all it took for me to feel noticeable responses in my heart mind and body.

Calm, steady, quiet, and more grounded.

It doesn’t take much for nature to nurture us and helping us reset and give us more of our ourselves to bring with us to our next place.

I am grateful for the beauty of this earth, my neighborhood and the ability to pause, set an intention and follow it.

It doesn’t always happen this way, but for today, I’m grateful i could follow it.

I would love to hear how you have paused and made time for yourself even for even briefest of moments.

Click the link in the bio to find out how yiu can start building intentional habits of naturebased well-being and restoration.

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

I have been creating earth alters or nature mandalas for years. It has been a beautiful way for me to play, reflect, and unearth deeper questions and answers of my own heart.

As someone who has a a hard time quieting the mind this process offers me a way of being co-regulated with the earth as my companion. The more I engage with each item, getting curious about the wisdom it has to offer, the deeper I go into my own experience.

This particular earth alter was for my wife and I on our fifth wedding anniversary and expanded into a loving kindness meditation for all we have experienced, who we have known, and for the future that is unfolding in mystery and hope.

Check the link in the bio if you would like to learn more about how you can engage with nature this way.

06/21/2026

Gifts from the inland sea of Lake Superior and the Baptism River of Minnesota.

05/31/2026

What are your special water places that hold memories and give you space to think? 🩵

A gentle invitation- If you can’t revisit that space any time soon, take a few moments to revisit that memory.

Savoring the thoughts, feelings and sensations of positive experiences of the past can bring relief and produce the same physiological responses as if we were there in person. Give your mind and body the rest it needs.

05/28/2026

What are you holding space for? 🩷

05/19/2026

Hike canceled tonight. Looks like thunderstorms could roll through.

BostromLauren Gross Lillenstein

05/10/2026

Self-compassion has been one of the most healing practices for me. We incorporate self compassion into almost all of our offerings. Join us for our hikes or ADHD series where we combine nature, community and self kindness to ease stress and restore attention. 💖🌳

Link in comments

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a reminder to take a moment for ourselves when we're stressed. Our natural threat response can often lead to fight (self-criticism), flight (isolation), and freeze (rumination). But self-compassion offers a powerful antidote.

By practicing kindness, mindfulness, and connecting with our shared humanity, we downregulate the threat system and activate the care system (the tend and befriend response), reducing stress and fostering resilience.

Research shows that this shift into self-compassion can lower cortisol levels and increase heart rate variability, making us less defensive, calmer, and more balanced.

This month, let’s prioritize mental well-being and show ourselves the kindness we need. Take a pause, place your hand on your heart, and remind yourself that you are worthy of care and compassion.