spring outside: jumping in puddles

indulging your inner 3-year-old.

The more I write and think about Spring and Spring things, the more I more I have zeroed in on rain as one of the true hallmarks of the season. Certainly in April in Minnesota, we’re still not quite to bountiful spring produce yet (posts about asparagus and rhubarb and all the things are coming soon!) and the very fact of precipitation coming down as raindrops rather than snowflakes is recent enough to seem like a miracle. I really have rain on the mind, as evidenced by posts shared earlier this month on walking in the rain and a rainy day bucket list.

This morning’s seasonal nudge is a little more playful: go jump in a puddle. Can you remember the last time you intentionally stomped your feet in a puddle? I would wager it has been too long. There’s a reason splashing is a universal childhood discovery, it’s just fun. You might not find yourself endlessly entertained like a one-year-old in the depths of discovering his ability to make a huge mess, but 15 seconds of splashing around in your rainboots is guaranteed to bring a little emotional sunshine to a rainy day. If you’re skeptical about the idea about the idea of splashing about in public as a full grown human, don’t just take my word for it. The New York Times also published an article on the importance to adding play to your life as an adult (gift link here).

Jumping in puddles, that’s my seasonal nudge. On your next walk, keep an eye out for a puddle and take a few intentional stomping steps in it. Better yet, the next rainy day where you would normally stay inside, slip into a raincoat and rainboots, grab an umbrella and head out for a walk/puddle romp. Your inner 3-year-old will love it.

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