My patio is what gives me the right to write this. Even on my laziest days, the kind where I get my coffee delivered to the front door, I still end up outside, lingering out there. Usually convincing myself I don’t need more flowers. I don’t have time to take care of more flowers. I’m too busy being away from home, lost in bigger, greener spaces.

So no, I’m not a wilderness guide or a hiking app. I’m just someone who manages to get outside every day and figured out a few ways to make it easier. If you’re looking to add more outdoor time to your life, here’s what’s worked for me.

Understand the Benefits
It’s not rocket surgery. It’s right outside your door. It’s good for you. Do I really need to say more? I mean, I already wrote a whole thing explaining it. Cliff notes: Spending time in green and blue spaces is both mentally and physically beneficial to your health.

Assess Your Schedule
Take a real look at your day, not the ideal version in your head. Are you rushing from one indoor space to another? Are your breaks just scrolling through your phone? Spot the patterns. Look for pockets of time you’re already ignoring.

For example, I used to drive to a gym across town just to run on a treadmill, when I could have joined a closer gym, saving time, gas, and enjoying some time outside. Could you walk to the store instead of driving? Even ten minutes here or there can become a mini outdoor escape. You probably have more outdoor time in your routine than you think; you just haven’t claimed it yet.

Set Realistic Goals
In fantasy land, I walk to work five days a week. Reality? Some days I’m late and need to drive. Some days I walk most of the way and hop on the bus for the rest. My summer goal is to spend every weekend out of town. In real life, I have dentist appointments and birthday parties to attend. Set goals, but make room for reality. You’re not failing; you’re just being human.

Make It a Habit
Like eating well, consistent outdoor time makes a difference. Small, sustainable changes to your daily routine are the real game-changers. This took me a while to get down, but I kept trying.

Incorporate Outdoor Time into Everyday Tasks
Can you walk to the grocery store? Can a meeting with a friend happen at the park instead of a coffee shop? Even just drinking your morning coffee outside counts. So does calling your mom while walking around the block. Or making dinner with friends and moving it to the patio. Instant outdoor time with bonus conversation.

Plan Weekend Adventures
Not suggesting you invest in hundreds of dollars’ worth of camping gear or dive into the highly competitive sport of online campsite booking. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or just sitting by a river somewhere, planning ahead gives you something to look forward to and helps make sure it actually happens.

You can also use these adventures as a way to meet fellow nature lovers. Join a local hiking club, sign up for guided walks, or find outdoor groups online. Sharing time outside makes it more fun, and you might just make a friend who loves sunrises and fresh air as much as you do.

Adapt to Seasons
Don’t let the weather cancel your whole relationship with the outdoors. In summer, I escape the city every weekend. In winter, I wear two jackets and sit on my patio anyway. Some seasons are for long hikes. Others are for five-minute walks and hot drinks under a blanket. Adjust your outdoor time, but don’t skip it.

Bonus Points: Be Present
Put the phone away, yes really, and notice the world around you. Smell the roses, literally if there are any, feel the breeze, watch the light hit the ground, and see what the bugs are up to. Being outside isn’t just about being outside. It’s about noticing that you are, and paying attention is its own little reward.

And if nothing else sticks, just go to your patio. That’s what I do. It’s my tiny, overwatered, underfurnished slice of wilderness, 10 feet from my kitchen. It’s not about how far you go; it’s that you went. And yes. You can scroll outside.