I’m in Escrow ~
Selling a home in today’s market can test anyone’s resilience. After nine months on the market in the Reno/Sparks housing market, I finally entered escrow. With so many homes listed and prices dropping, I had to lower my asking price significantly. While the news paints the market as crashed, I know one thing for sure: protecting my mental health is priceless. Escrow is set to close November 10th, and while cautious, I am beginning to make plans for the future.
This season also marks an exciting chapter for JM Lane LLC, as we expand spaces for women healing from trauma and abuse to share their stories. My Instagram project @redeem_thyself is relaunching with new reels this month, while @7_pedals continues to grow steadily.
Recently, I filmed Season 2 of my YouTube series, Redeeming Hope: The Courage of Healing, at 8,600 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The views were breathtaking, and once again, I found what I always do in nature: calm, clarity, and connection. Time in nature reduces stress and restores our well-being — something I deeply experience each time I step into the wild (Harvard research shows).
I came across an article from the Mental Health Foundation in the UK. It is entitled, Nature: How connection with nature benefits our mental health. Spending time in nature isn’t just relaxing—it’s one of the most effective ways to boost my mental health. Studies show that time outdoors lowers stress, improves mood, and even reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. I can definitely say that is the case for me as well. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shares regular exposure to green spaces improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, and promotes overall well-being. Nature acts as a natural stress reliever. Mental Health UK highlights how connecting with nature sparks feelings of joy, creativity, and calm. Even simple activities—like hearing birdsong, walking through a park, or gardening—have measurable mental health benefits. There is also research published which shows that people who feel emotionally connected to nature experience greater happiness and reduced stress (Nature Scientific Reports). PubMed Central did a systematic review of research which also confirms strong links between nature exposure and improved mental health outcomes. I often wonder, though, if I did not have the mental health needs that I have if my time in nature would be even more powerful. The depths of my trauma…am I just scratching the surface of all nature has to offer? Regardless, I will continue to be out in nature as much as I can. I will be seeking out new walking paths in Tuolumne, Amador, El Dorado, and Calaveras Counties as I look to move to California. If you know of any, please let me know!
Steps to new begins and re-energizing ~ julie
If you feel so inclined, please reply with your thoughts.
Note: JM Lane is NOT a mental health professional, nor does she carry a license to practice medicine. Posts, blogs, and content are based on JM Lane’s personal experiences, perceptions, and reflections. By no means does any material convey what others should or should not do.