Hello Dylan and Keila!
I really resonated with both of your responses and I also feel that spending time outdoors is an excellent way to enhance your sense of place. Apart from the physical benefits of hiking, which definitely shouldn't be underestimated since a study by Harvard University found that hiking is good for you both physically and mentally since it provides a great cardiovascular workout, improves balance, and is a natural stress reliever, hiking can also connect you with others in a social context. For example, I regularly hike with my family which is a central part of how we spend quality time together. During our hikes, we talk about what has been going on in our lives and catch up since both my parents and I can get caught up in work/academics which prevents us from being fully present in each others lives, or even our own lives. When you are fully engaged and attentive in conversations, you are able to connect with others on a deeper level. This can lead to stronger, more meaningful relationships, which can help shape your identity. Thus, taking hikes together enhances our sense of place on multiple levels. It reconnects us with nature which is very rare because society is so heavily dictated by one's technological dependence. But even more importantly, by doing that it allows us to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones, which in of itself enables us to be authentic and true to ourselves. This means we are not influenced by external distractions or pressures, but rather are guided by your own inner wisdom and values.
