Someone built a turtle pad for the pond in our neighborhood a few years ago, and every time I drive by I comment "it's a good day for turtles" or "it's too gray for turtles." They're just red-eared sliders common here, but I love the way they climb up to sun themselves by the dozens on clear days. Definitely a mood booster.
I love a rage-walk, though that expression is new for me. Love an audio journal too. It's a big part of how I got through those long covid lockdowns. I (quite literally) talked myself through it 💕
Great piece, Joy. This was our trauma therapy during early Covid when we were both laid-off/furloughed. We learned so much about our neighborhood and were happy to have other things to focus on. If you don't already, be sure to follow Garden State Tortoise on the socials. Their most recent rescue adventure was just featured on NPR, great coverage for them!
Love this, Joy! I take frequent walks in my neighborhood, but usually I’m talking with a friend, or my husband, and don’t really take note of the nature around me. It’s more for exercise and conversation, but today, I think I’m going to take a look at least to see what new plants have sprung. Thanks for the inspiration!
"turtles of all types can recover from seemingly fatal injuries, as long as they’re given the time and space to heal." Love this. Not so many reptiles here in Seattle, but might have to try a rage walk myself. Journaling is my go-to, but I like the idea of bilateral stimulation. I sometimes "tap" like I did in emdr.
Love this! And I do love turtles--the ones in a pond on our university campus, who lay on rocks and sun themselves before diving back into the water, and especially those I've seen in the waters that surround Indonesian islands--big turtles, ancient turtles. Nature is soo healing, even as you say, in those short walks around our neighborhood. Keep it up.
Someone built a turtle pad for the pond in our neighborhood a few years ago, and every time I drive by I comment "it's a good day for turtles" or "it's too gray for turtles." They're just red-eared sliders common here, but I love the way they climb up to sun themselves by the dozens on clear days. Definitely a mood booster.
Yes, a proven mood booster! Love it.
I love a rage-walk, though that expression is new for me. Love an audio journal too. It's a big part of how I got through those long covid lockdowns. I (quite literally) talked myself through it 💕
Great piece, Joy. This was our trauma therapy during early Covid when we were both laid-off/furloughed. We learned so much about our neighborhood and were happy to have other things to focus on. If you don't already, be sure to follow Garden State Tortoise on the socials. Their most recent rescue adventure was just featured on NPR, great coverage for them!
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/24/nx-s1-5369562/rockalina-eastern-box-turtle-new-jersey
Love this, Joy! I take frequent walks in my neighborhood, but usually I’m talking with a friend, or my husband, and don’t really take note of the nature around me. It’s more for exercise and conversation, but today, I think I’m going to take a look at least to see what new plants have sprung. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome! I miss those beautiful Westchester summers.
I love this. Thank you. Nature has a wonderful, humbling way of reminding us that everything that exists is a miracle.
Forgive me if I already shared this, but I wonder if you’d appreciate this story about my magical encounter with a snapping turtle last spring. https://open.substack.com/pub/usefulbeautiful/p/ub-18-magic-logic-and-legend
Thank you for sharing!
"turtles of all types can recover from seemingly fatal injuries, as long as they’re given the time and space to heal." Love this. Not so many reptiles here in Seattle, but might have to try a rage walk myself. Journaling is my go-to, but I like the idea of bilateral stimulation. I sometimes "tap" like I did in emdr.
I would love if “rage walking” caught on as a movement! 🤣
Love this Joy! How fabulous! Love the rage walk idea too. looks like you live in a really beautiful area x
thank you! it's beautiful as long as we are not in a drought :-D
Love this! And I do love turtles--the ones in a pond on our university campus, who lay on rocks and sun themselves before diving back into the water, and especially those I've seen in the waters that surround Indonesian islands--big turtles, ancient turtles. Nature is soo healing, even as you say, in those short walks around our neighborhood. Keep it up.
Thank you Mimi! I'd love to see turtles in Indonesia one day. Sounds incredible.