I used to stare out my window while I worked, now these apps are getting me outside

A few days ago I came across a post on Threads that began: “I’m going to start walking 40+ mins every day starting this Wednesday, April 1! Tonight I sat with my calendar and planned each day when I will go for my walk.”

As I read it, I was sitting where I usually do when I work, right next to the sliding doors of my apartment patio where I can see people walk their dogs, jog, and meet up with friends while I’m at my desk.

It was then that I decided I, too, needed to make a concerted effort to get outside every day, particularly since it’s now spring and soft breezes and birdsong greet me when I open that patio door.

The person who inspired me said they were going to listen to audiobooks on their sojourns. But I find my mind wanders when I listen to a story and I’d rather be more involved in the world around me as I walk.

To keep me committed to a routine, I looked through my apps to see which ones I could use as companions. There were five already on my phone that are perfect for the task.

Outbound

I had Outbound on my phone for a while to find activities around me but now I’m using it to track outdoor activities. Mostly I’m planning on walking every day, so that’s not anything a pedometer app can’t track. But I’m also using my outside time to pay closer attention to nature, which includes bird watching, an activity that Outbound also tracks. There are lots of other activities, including hiking, fishing, and rafting.

Step Counter

Speaking of a pedometer, I always have Step Counter on in the background. It’s a great way to track steps because it cheers you on by also tracking your achievements. Three thousand daily steps gets you the status of Away From Sofa, while 60,000 makes you a Conqueror. Step Counter translates your steps into miles and lets you know when you’ve trekked the equivalent of a short hike or gone far enough to have reached the earth’s core.

PlantNet

I’ve already said that I’m more of an indoor cat than an outdoor one, but I have followed forager and educator Alexis Nikole Nelson for years. You may know her from the way she signs off all her videos, “Happy snacking! Don’t die!” Now while I am not going to nibble on anything I find outside, Nelson has made me curious about what plant life I do come across. That’s why I have PlantNet on my phone. One snap can identify any greenery even if it’s not green at the moment. PlantNet just needs a snap of a leaf, flower, fruit, bit of bark, branch, bud, or seed.

Merlin Bird ID

I love birds but because I grew up in New York City, I didn’t exactly come across lots of species growing up. So beyond ones that really stand out, like a cardinal or a blue jay, I don’t know what I’m looking at. Merlin Bird ID is my way to rectify that. I can take a photo or record some birdsong and then upload them to the app and find out what exactly I saw or heard. And if I did not pull out my phone in time, I just answer some questions on the app to figure out what bird I encountered. The app is the work of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Stellarium

For night walks, I have Stellarium. Because I live in an area where stars are spottable but scarce, it can be hard to determine if I’m seeing a star, a planet, or just the blinking lights of a satellite. Stellarium knows what they all are and it makes me feel more connected to the solar system when I point it at the sky to reveal what’s above me.