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Nicole | Outdoors, Wellbeing and Travel

@nicolewandersmindfully

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🌲 outdoors, travel & mental health enthusiast
📷 nature photography
🥾 let's get outside!
📍american in germany
✉️: [email protected]

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Just your daily reminder 🌿

Ok but actually this post idea came to me because as I was doing a sunset walk with a friend earlier this week, I saw a man sitting on a bench. He was facing a gorgeous sunset with beautiful rolling hills and he was......on his phone. Not even looking up, completely on his phone and unaware of what was right in front of him.

I know I can't point my finger at him and judge him when I go on my phone a lot, but seeing him do that really snapped something in me. While I LOVE taking pictures, I also think I don't spend as much time really enjoying my surroundings as I should. I see what is in front of me, but am I actually taking it in?

I think it's hard to be off our phones (I'm literally on my phone right now trying to get this message to you guys 🤦🏼‍♀️) and it's really ruining our relationship with nature. More and more people are spending time in nature for the "perfect Instagram picture" than actually taking time to ENJOY nature.

So I hope this post reaches you and you put down your phone and be present. In nature, with your loved ones and with yourself 🫶🏼

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, are we heading in a direction where we're not as present in real life as we are online? by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 days ago

Not down for the bar but definitely down for some great chats in the mountains about dreams and passions ✨

The mountains really bring me to life and make my creative side come alive. I truly feel like the happiest version of myself when I'm there. And I may or may not cry when I get to the top of a mountain, no where it is.

If you're also like this then hello! I'm Nicole from @nicolewandersmindfully and I'm happy you're here 💜 follow along for more adventures and living beyond the social norm!

Also tell me something you're passionate about below, I genuinely love hearing about it! by @nicolewandersmindfully

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8 days ago

Finally edited some photos from my solo trip to Italy 🇮🇹

My piece of advice: if you're thinking about the trip and are scared to go alone, just do it anyway! It's so much better than always waiting for someone and never going.

All (except the video) is shot on 📸 a Canon 40D EOS taken in Dolomites, Italian Alps by @nicolewandersmindfully

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11 days ago

Here are just a few things that I think are ✨kinda chic✨

And also just really cool in general!! I think these are great daily reminders that we all genuinely need to remind ourselves of. I know I definitely do.

🤪 Being my authentic self is something I STRIVE for on the daily. And honestly, the more I go to therapy the more I am feeling like I am achieving that 🫶🏼
🏄🏼‍♀️ Going out of my comfort zone goes with my motto "getting comfortable with the uncomfortable". It's scary to try but even scarier to never try and stay the same
🧖🏼‍♀️ As a former people pleaser and anxious girly, I struggle with this! I still feel guilty for doing things totally for myself but I'm getting better at it
👯‍♀️ Having friends who get you despite a major language barrier is one of the BEST things in the world!! It makes my heart so happy to be able to connect even when the full understanding isn't there!
👗Wearing the same outfit multiple times and posting it on social media is cool!! You do NOT always need the newest clothes, stop falling into that trap and spend your money on cool trips instead!
💜 I overall love the person that I am but there are still parts of me that I'm trying to accept. It's hard but it's a current work in progress

Which one resonates with you the most!? Be sure to send this to your people who are ✨kinda chic✨ by @nicolewandersmindfully

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18 days ago

If there's one thing I'm climbing, it's definitely mountains and not the corporate ladder ⛰️

There's nothing wrong with climbing the corporate ladder and I am happy for the people that do! But for me, that's just not it. I know that a typical 9-5 is not for me. What is for me though? I'm not sure and still trying to figure that out 😅

Here's to all my non-traditional people, keep doing your thing so you end up where you need to be 🫶🏼 by @nicolewandersmindfully

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a month ago

How crazy is it to think that if I decided to not solo travel, I'd be missing out on epic views like this!?

It's scary to do and definitely hard, but man is it SO worth it! And I know later in life, I'd regret not going just because I was afraid. I'd rather do things scared then get older and wonder about it.

For those of you looking to solo travel but worried about it, here are some tips:
- go someplace YOU'RE comfortable with
- you can go for a long weekend or for 3 months. Don't get pressured by social media to do some crazy big trip. A small weekend two hours away by yourself is still a solo trip!
- tell your people where you're going and give the contact info of the place you're staying at

Either way, if you're thinking about it, this is your sign to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. I'm rooting for you! 🫶🏼

Give your best solo traveling tips below, I'd love to hear them!

And be sure to follow @nicolewandersmindfully for more inspirational travel content ✨ taken in Dolomites, Italian Alps by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

Ok but soon after starting this hike I felt like I was entering Middle Earth 🧙🏼‍♀️🧝🏼‍♀️ with rocks, mountains and valleys like that, how could you not?

Unfortunately this is not Middle Earth, or even in New Zealand! This is actually the Italian Dolomites 🇮🇹

This hike is around the Sass de Putia, with stunning views of different mountain peaks the entire time. This specific hike was a point to point hike, with a total of 1625 feet of elevation gain, a stop at the Rufigio Genova Hut for definite Hobbit approved meal and then a beautiful traverse down the valley.

I did this with a free guided tour through the B&B I'm staying at, which included free transportation to drop us off at one point and pick us up at another. But there are plenty of trails and loops around the area if you decide to go on your own :)

ALSO if you decide to do this hike during the summer months, be sure to bring lots of water and sun protection, as it is 95% in the sun with no shade!

LOTR fan or not, this hike is definitely worth it! It's a steep climb but the views make it completely worth it, you genuinely feel so small ⛰️

Is your Hobbit heart up for this hike!? Let me know below!

#italiandolomites #lotr #middleearth #hikeitaly taken in Sass de Putia by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

As someone who has struggled with confidence for the majority of her life, this has been a struggle for me!

Those thoughts creep in
"What if people think I'm a lonely loser?"
"People will notice I'm alone and judge"

But, after physically doing this, omg what a JOY it was. After settling in and finally getting my pasta, it was actually enjoyable to sit there and just be with myself. I also tried to not use as many distractions as possible, even though I brought a book and obviously my phone was there.

Sitting there with no stimulation and just your thoughts can be rough at first but then also peaceful. I felt myself actually enjoying the view around me. Taking in the small details of the restaurant, the people around me, the mountains up ahead. It was really a great and peaceful experience.

Also, no one even cared that I was alone! I don't even think anyone looked at me.

So, is this something you'd do? Do you find it easy or hard to do?

And let me know what out of my comfort challenge I should do next!

Follow @nicolewandersmindfully for more inspirational content ✨ by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

So I know that some very popular touristy hikes may not be worth it, but Alpe di Siusi is 100% worth it!

Alpe di Siusi is the largest high-Alpine meadow in all of Europe, sitting at anywhere from 5200-7700 feet above sea level. You can either hike up to the top (1968 feet in elevation gain) or pay for a cable car. Once you're at the top there's lots of trails to hike, leading you all over the meadow.

While hiking around, you get amazing views of the mountains on the meadow as well as beautiful, green rolling hills. Literally everywhere you look is picturesque. Most of the trails are easy and the elevation gain is not super high, so that makes this area very suitable for families as well as just the average hiker. It also did not feel super crowded despite all the people being around.

Overall, I'd definitely add this to your list when you visit the Dolomites! Would you add this to your list?

And don't forget to follow @nicolewandersmindfully for more travel inspiration ✨ taken in Alpe Di Siusi, Dolomiti by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

Just some of nature's color palates 🌿🍊🌊

Which one is your favorite!? by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

T-minus one week until I'm back in my favorite place ⛰️ by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago

If there is one thing I can say in life, it's that I am trying my hardest to live with no regrets ✨

Is it hard at times? Absolutely! But after looking at everything that I named above, I literally can say I do not regret any of those that I did. Through really pushing myself and putting myself out there, I have met new people, tried new activities and gone to some pretty amazing places.

The only thing I regret is not starting sooner, but timing is everything 🫶🏼

What is something that you have done that you are SO happy you did?

Send this to someone who you want to have some pretty epic moments with in life! And if you're new here, hi! I'm Nicole, an adventurous free spirit who is trying to get you outdoors and out of your comfort zone, I hope you follow along for the ride 💜 by @nicolewandersmindfully

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2 months ago