5 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day Inside
This year’s Earth Day is a little bit different than the last, to say the least. We may not be able to go outside and enjoy this holiday in the ways we’re used to doing, but this time indoors gives us a chance to find some of the magic in celebrating Earth Day from inside our homes.
Staying indoors saves the lives of those in your community, and is so important for us to practice as we battle this public health crisis. In solidarity and respect for our immediate community, as well as our global community, we can stay inside and celebrate Earth Day in a different way this year. Here are a few ideas:
NATURE PROGRAM WATCH PARTY:
Get the friends and fam together for a virtual nature watch party. There are some mind-blowing nature programs out there that will make you feel like you are surrounded by nature, right next to the animals. I’m not kidding - I watched a docu-series called Paradise Islands this week and I think my neighbors heard me howling in unison with the monkeys.
Having your friends and fam virtually with you in the living room, totally in awe of nature together, is such a fun and memorable way to celebrate Earth Day - even when the circumstances keep us physically apart. Here are a few great nature programs to check out:
DISNEY+
Paradise Islands
Winged Seduction: Birds of Paradise
Great Migrations
Giants of the Deep Blue
Unlikely Animal Friends
One Strange Rock
NETFLIX:
Our Planet
Night on Earth
Dancing with the Birds
COOK A MEAL FIT FOR MOTHER NATURE:
It may seem silly, but cooking yourself a meal full of colorful and delicious plants might just be one of the most simple and direct ways to honor Mother Nature from the comfort of your home. Whip up a colorful, nutritious, plant-filled meal and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of Mother Nature’s labor.
Picture it like this: you and Earth are going on a date and you are about to whip up the most amazing meal for ‘em. Earth has done so much for you already, and you really want to show ‘em how much you care…how much Earth really means to you. Okay, maybe this has gone too far now, but you get my point.
BRING NATURE INDOORS:
Plant something! Whether it be a succulent garden, a terrarium, or simply your favorite flower, potting a plant or two is such a rewarding way to bring Earth Day indoors. I don’t know about you, but watching a tiny bit of nature grow and change over time on my windowsill is one of the most satisfying experiences.
Plus, when you have all your friends and family over after quarantine, you’ll be the cool one who has enough plants to call their living room an indoor jungle. Just saying.
REGROWING YOUR FOOD:
And while we’re on the note of serious indoor dopamine releases - have you ever re-planted your used food scraps? You’ll be surprised how much you can grow out of your kitchen. When you see those tiny dried up ends of your green onion sprout into a luxurious edible arrangement once again, it’s basically as exciting as being a kid and watching those tiny sponge toys expand in the sink.
And it certainly doesn’t stop at green onion - you can regrow your garlic, shallots, onions, celery, carrots, leeks, potatoes, cabbage, romaine, basil, mint, cilantro…should I keep going?
Pop some of your used produce into a bit of water or soil, depending on what you’re re-planting, and watch it turn into your own little slice of nature. Plus side: you’ll save money on food and reuse produce that would have otherwise gone in the trash! That’s a win-win, if you ask me.
SOAK UP THE RAYS:
When the sun peeks through your window, even if for only half an hour or so, allow yourself to take a moment to enjoy it. Sit in front of your sun-soaked window and read a book, call a friend, cuddle up with your fur baby, write down a few things you want to get done today, or simply do nothing. This last option being my personal favorite.
But you do not have to do any of this.
That’s the thing about celebrating this Earth Day indoors, you don’t have to do anything - just taking moments to appreciate the simple pleasures of nature from the comfort of your own home is good enough. Whip up something colorful in the kitchen, get your hands dirty in some soil, be in awe of nature’s incredible growth, or simply soak up the sun’s warming rays — No matter how you appreciate Mother Nature this Earth Day, you’re doing it right by staying inside.
Kirsten Ahlmark
Look, Kirsten is a pretty cool person. But don’t take it from us, read this short description of her and decide for yourself.
Kirsten is all about chasing your dreams, laughing ‘til it hurts, and being yourself, even when you’re not sure exactly who that is. She’s been about that ~natural life~ for several years now and loves geeking out on ingredient lists. When she’s not writing copy, you can catch this girl making YouTube videos, howling with her (really cool) chihuahua, or whipping up somethin’ in the kitchen.