I’ve lived in the Capital Region for a number of years now, and I’m just starting to come to terms with the impact it has on my mental health. I think living in such an urban area can be both stressful and isolating at times. The constant hustle and bustle of people, traffic, events, etc. make it hard to find inner peace or moments of calm.
At the same time, I sometimes feel like I’m behind a wall that no one can penetrate. Like somehow even though there are people everywhere and they may even be good friends, there’s still something missing that could provide deeper connections or companionship. It makes me feel lonely most of the time which can have a negative effect on my mental health.
But then I go out into nature - visiting a park or taking a walk near water – and suddenly my perspective shifts. Even if it’s only for a short while, I am able to find solace by reminding myself of the beauty around me in this region and how lucky I am to live here.
Overall, living in the Capital Region is definitely not easy but with just a few moments of mindful awareness amongst nature each day helps me recalibrate from the noise and busyness – so that’s something positive!