5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Moved to the Forest

The Best Ways to Free Your Family and Enjoy the Forest

When you grow up in the city, or have little experience out in the wilderness, moving to the forest can seem like a silly fantasy. That’s how I felt. It was a great daydream, but I didn’t do anything to learn skills or gain resources that would benefit me when I decided to live in the forest.

Life is fun when you let things happen, so I ended up living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees, and I didn’t even know where the water came from. There was a lot I have learned since then.

Here are the top 5 things I wish I knew before I moved to the forest.

3. It’s Not Always Quiet

People talk about getting out in nature as a way to get away from the noise of the city. But it’s not all peace and quiet. Yes, there are still moments of absolute perfect silence, with the sun shining through the morning fog, where it feels like all life is paused and focused on the present in awe together. There are also woodpecker wake up calls, frogs, crickets, and wildlife that loudly make their presence known. And you can’t always control the sounds around you.

4. The Sky is Immense

Day or night, sky watching can provide a sense of wonder for families of all ages. When you are out in nature for any length of time, the sky will draw you in. Sunrises and sunsets are often the most beautiful part of the day, unless you love star-gazing or happen to be north enough to enjoy the aurora borealis.

5. Peace Exists

Being out in nature is a natural mood enhancer. It is good for the body, mind, and soul. Living in the forest allows you to immerse your family in that healing and peaceful atmosphere for an extended length of time.

Whatever your reasons for moving to the forest, there will be some surprises and learning curves. It’s all worth it! Remember, you can live a life of your own creation. If you prioritize the necessities of life, like water, you will figure everything out as you go. Forest life is a great way to inspire a nature-filled life for the whole family. The peacefulness and endless beauty that abounds is worth the challenges it takes to get there.

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

— John Muir

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Abundant Forest Life uses some affiliate links, which means if you decide to make a purchase we earn a commission that helps support our work, at no cost to you. All recommendations are based on our experiences and shared as part of our mission to have more families enjoy nature, abundance, and free time

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