From the author of the award-winning Beginner's Guide to Hunting and Fishing in New Zealand, Get Outdoors is full of fun ideas to get your body moving and your brain inventing.
Paul Adamson talks to NZ Booklovers about Get Outdoors.
What inspired you to write this book?
Number one, I love the Outdoors! After 40 plus years involved in education I have noticed more and more children with a disconnect with the outdoors and all the opportunities available. There is an epidemic of social media decreasing resilience in our youngsters. Parents are locked and loaded with their work often having to be available in weekends as well. Covid lockdowns reinforced the nationwide realisation that hey!...we should be getting out and about in our neighbourhood with the family.
What research was involved?
As a counsellor for teachers for years I became aware of the impact of stress in such a tough job so began researching philosophies, strategies and mindfulness practices to address life imbalance. Counselling students and working with their families and whanau revealed there were common stories told where families had lost sight of what is actually important to their wellbeing. A regular issue was making time to enjoy activities outdoors. Even simple gardening together or going for a family bike ride and picnic seemed to be a lost art but when tried they made positive differences.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
Often good ideas came very early in the morning, so a note would be scribbled down to think about more at a later time. Covid lockdowns and school holidays allowed for uninterrupted time to flesh out ideas into motivational sections by trying to invite the reader into the fun of the activity, backed up with images that hooked in the reader.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this book?
It was a great opportunity to further my strong intentions in my first book “Beginners Guide to Hunting and Fishing’, for motivating children and young adults into activating a passion- for the outdoors. It was a case of the more I researched sections the more I came to understand the benefits.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
We took off for a weekend at the beach, to set cray pots, go for a paua dive , play golf and relax taking in the sunset panoramas.
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
‘Building Resilience in Children and Teens’ A parents Guide. Kenneth Ginsburg. It lays out super clear and founded thinking approaches for parents to ensure they and their children feel grounded within the family unit but to also plan for approaches and activities for them to grow their wings!
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I have all but completed a junior novel about 6 teens and their adventures finding out about themselves in rural NZ.
Another text I have started is quite different and is a self-help book I’m calling ‘The Worry Sorry Lorry’. How to energise ourselves into making new habits and a better us!