Do something, do nothing

[Harvestman]

Just wondering. When you are outside purely for the pleasure of it, especially if you are on your own, are you always having to do something (whittle a stick, make a shelter, start a fire), or are you a 'drift along and enjoy the ambience' person?

Or does it depend?

[southey]

Hmm a bit of both I think, depending on what reason I'm outside, if for a walk then once stopped, Sheltered, watered and fed i mostly just read a book, check my kit over ready for the next day and just rest, but if in just one place then i will be more active whittling, looking at things and trying to make stuff, oh and larking about, nothing lifts the spirits then a good lark about! KALOOO! KALAAAY!

[Stanleythecat]

I have to say do something. Having small children and a partner with habit for 'to do' lists I find myself with so little time to myself that I tend to want to get creative when the opportunity arises. Be it carving, foraging or focussing on the wildlife that is about me.

When I surf, then I drift and enjoy.

Leo

[Prawnster]

On my own I chillax. I keep as still as possible. If I'm moving I move as slow and as quiet as possible, always on the lookout or listening for life.

With the kids I have to do something or they'll get bored pretty quick. I get them to help with a brew, practice knifework, build a den etc. That being said, if we are somewhere where theres a good chance of spotting something they are getting good at moving through the woods in stealth mode.

[bmartin1uk]

I'm a poke the fire with a stick kinda guy - thats about my general level of skill and involvement

[Ogri the trog]

For me, even sitting still and watching the scenery is a worthwhile activity.

To the outside world, it looks just like I'm chillaxin' but there's always something that needs to be studied closer!

ATB

Ogri the trog

[shaggystu]

i think that for me personally it depends on whether i'm on my own or in a group. on my own i tend to be pretty much occupied, exploring the area, practicing a bit of tracking, making "camp gadgets" etc. when i'm in a group i'm much more likely to be found just sitting by the fire with a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other relaxing and chatting.

stuart

[Barn Owl]

Depends,

I like to take my time watching and listening,or daydreaming.

Other times I'll sit and whittle over a brew.

My main thing is birding and wildlife though.

[Sniper]

Once I'm set up, fire going, wood gathered I like others just like to sit and take in the surroundings. I go out to relax so I tend to move about as little as possible when with others there is the banter round the fire, when alone I like to watch what is going on around me ie the wildlife etc. I'm happy to sit round the fire whittling away with a brew.

[jackcbr]

Definitely a bit of both. Sometimes I get busy building so later on I can sit back and watch the world go by. We all need to stop and breathe sometimes, then we really see what is around us and just blend in.

[HarrogateTobias]

i like to do a bit of both.. i find the stealthy option most satisfying.

poke the fire and enjoy the outdoors.

[woodspirits]

probably the latter once ive sorted my camp, look and listen to the wood come alive again after my intrusion. time just drifts by, im on a different clock then.

[ex-member Raikey]

i love the quiet,..

so after a poo week just laying and listening is cool....

but the time alone is also good time to get a skill cracked,...

i,m focusing on a slow burn, cooking fire at the moment,..so being selective during wood collection takes up a lot of daylight,...

[11binf]

i eat and sleep and maybe wright my thoughts down or just plain relax...my lifes a blurr in this world, the outdoors is my own world to relax..vince g. 11B Inf..

[spyrozzo]

rarely go out alone.
when I do really appreciate the solitude.
quanso company then we'd rather talk.

[yomperalex]

Always foraging, especially always on the lookout for mushrooms.

Just looking at the wildlife.

Alex

[DaveWL]

Changes as time goes on.

First afternoon - got to be doing something. First night - got to be doing something.

First morning - slow start.

And then more and more chilled from there.

My assumption is that if I went for more than a fortnight I'd end up in some sort of coma.

[maddave]

Bit of everything really. If i'm alone I can be still. If there are folks, I like to socialise and join in with stuff.

[TeeDee]

Ive just been up the woods for the last two hours , just sitting and trying not to move too much. I find Forests relax me , a kind of medicine for every day modern life.

One a tracking course I attended the Instructor made us all do an exercise every morning upon waking and every evening and during the course of the day aswell , the exercise was just to find a spot clear of other students looking out into the bush ( but also not really looking...very Jedi mind Zen ) and to just be still and observe the environment without really trying.
Zoning in , Its good and it works , everyone should do it I think , it definitely changes the pace and intent you move through the brush.

[ex-member Raikey]

Ive just been up the woods for the last two hours , just sitting and trying not to move too much. I find Forests relax me , a kind of medicine for every day modern life.

One a tracking course I attended the Instructor made us all do an exercise every morning upon waking and every evening and during the course of the day aswell , the exercise was just to find a spot clear of other students looking out into the bush ( but also not really looking...very Jedi mind Zen ) and to just be still and observe the environment without really trying.
Zoning in , Its good and it works , everyone should do it I think , it definitely changes the pace and intent you move through the brush.

i do this just as it starts to get dark,..my fave time in the woods,...

its like a crossover of the shift,..lol

the woodies want to roost and most other stuff sense the temperature drop and start to quieten,....

but the flip side, the owls start to call, and the bats take off,..

i sit and stare out from camp,..i cant normally see more than 20 yard in the woods i use but its amazing what you "see"


so even the folks who say they do nothing,..youre doing a hundred times more than the people sat at home..

Stu

[kINGPIN]

I go through phases. Right now foraging is my thing so I am always scouring the floor, bushes and trees.

[rimmer]

it all depends on where i am and whats about

[Will Bowden]

If I've got the dogs I'm moving as fast as possible usually, if I don't have them I'm usually mooching about watching things or fiddling with the camera.

Will

[Paul_B]

I used to be able to just sit and do nothing. Over the last few years I have gotten a bit restless. I am now unable to sit down and do nothing. Most of the time in the outdoors I am just moving from one site / pitch to another. That takes up my days. Then when I get to my pitch site I set my tarp up and then put a brew on. While that is going I set my mat, bag and bivvy up for the night. Then I pour water into my food (sorry I'm a Uler with dehydrated food) and make a brew with the rest. That has all taken at most 20 minutes. I'm enjoying my brew waiting the 15 or so minutes for the food to get ready for eating. Then I eat and get bored. That is when I start reading or walking around. If I am too tired to walk I have nothing else to do but read. I can not sit and look at nature. I think it is more that I have to keep my mind active more than my body. Don't know what that is about but if I am not doing something I am thinking about what I can do next. If I can't think of anything I tend to pace around. That can be annoying as my mates tell me. If I'm really bored I will just get into my bed for the night and listen to my MP3 player!!!! In my defence that is my last resort when I am so restless I'm driving myself or others insane. Music calms me down and I drop off for an early start the next day.

I am usually on an open hillside in the Lakes or Scotland so I reckon there is less wildlife to see at that dusk time of day. Either that or I'm being to noisy and dirspruptive with all that walking around. Can you develop ADHD in your thirties? Seriously though I have completely changed from a totally chilled out and relaxed sit around just observing whatever is there or nothing if nothing is there kinda guy to an absolute fidget in about 2 or 3 years. I used to be so laid back people would have to nudge me to see if I'm still alive. Now they have to knock me out to stop me doing stuff. Of course alcohol changes that and I go all contemplative and laid back again.

[Nova & Pinky]

I'm a poke the fire with a stick kinda guy - thats about my general level of skill and involvement

That's pretty much what makes Pinky happy. Give him a fire-poking stick and he's a made man.
He likes to make swings and climb trees as well

I'm quite happy sat by the fire making a pile of woodshavings and a spoon, or concocting something for dinner, or generally chilling out and letting the world go by. I LOVED my first morning in my new hammock and was just reading, in between taking pics of the sun coming up over the bluebells.

[The Big Lebowski]

For the first time... I'm actually learning to relax.

Sometimes you just have to sit and make yourself do nothing, which can actually be a challenge sometimes.

[ged]

Just wondering. When you are outside purely for the pleasure of it, especially if you are on your own, are you always having to do something...

I would, but I never seem to get the time.