5 Reasons We Will #OptOutside This Black Friday (and Why You Should Too!)

The holidays are upon us, and a chill is in the air. Fear not! There is still plenty of fun to be had outdoors. What better time to enjoy the outdoors than on Black Friday, a day that is notorious for consuming, crowds, long lines and stress? Keep the good times rolling from Thanksgiving, and join many folks (including us) in the quest to #OptOutside! Here are 5 reasons we are choosing to #OptOutside this Black Friday.

#OptOutside Reason #1: Love the Outdoors

Love the outdoors, but the cold weather is causing you to stay inside? Stare the cold weather in the face and head outdoors. Once you get moving, the energy that you give off will create heat that will sustain you and get you pumped up for more action and adventure.

Being in the Midwest, my activity levels definitely takes a hit when the temperatures drop and there is less sunlight. Having a REASON to go outside, however, is just the motivation that I need to get moving. And trust me, it feels great to get outside – even in the cold. Just grab a warm coat and throw on your hiking boots. The landscapes are still a sight to behold!

#OptOutside Reason #2: Financial Considerations

Black Friday has become a day for spending money. Retailers book billions of our hard-earned bucks to fill packages with empty, unnecessary junk. Many folks spend more than they have in an effort to buy a holiday of memories for their children and loved ones even as they dig themselves further into debt. The best way to reduce your spending is by taking fewer trips to the shops where you spend money.

This Black Friday, save some of your cash, and enjoy nature for free!

#OptOutside Reason #3: Health Benefits

I love holiday foods, but they don’t necessarily love me. I probably eat a legit 3 pounds of food on Thanksgiving which I usually regret within 12 hours. Getting outside the day after is a great way to feel better about over-indulging on the Thanksgiving fare.

#OptOutside Reason #4: Relationship Building

Family and friends are likely still close by the day after Thanksgiving. Let the good times continue to roll when you are intentional about making plans to play outdoors. The memories that you make will last a lifetime while the excess stuff that you buy because “it’s on sale” will perish.

#OptOutside Reason #5: Social Consciousness

Avoid the stress, crowds and long lines. Know that when you do, you are bucking the consumerist culture that exists in the US. REI, the founders of the #OptOutside concept is an outdoor retailer that pays its employees to take advantage of the day to get outside.

I’m sure that we’ve all had relatives or friends that have to cut their Thanksgiving visit short to make it to work as Black Friday shopping seems to start earlier and earlier (can we please finish our Thanksgiving meal before being pressured to shop? Thank you!) In a marketplace that is all about the power of the dollar, a retailer that chooses to keep their doors closed is pretty profound to me.

So happy that we decided to #optoutside today! In @CbusMetroParks Blacklick Woods! pic.twitter.com/aloLJfn5Sj

— Park Trips and More (@PTAMstampcramp) November 24, 2017

Wrap Up

Join us and the large community of folks that choose to #OptOutside this Black Friday! We’re looking forward to getting outdoors and breathing a breath of fresh, stress-free air!

Let us know your plans in the comments below!

This post was prepared as a part of the #NatureWritingChallenge.  The topic for the week was: Best Reasons to #OptOutside this Black Friday on Public Lands. Check out the challenge here.

(Note: Rules for this challenge include writing, unfiltered, on the topic for no more than one hour. Please forgive typos and incomplete thoughts.)