De La Soul
On the healing nature of my body's worst enemy
Y'all, I'm leaking.
With the end of Aries season (but honestly at the start), the weather changes, and our good yellow friends decide to come out to play. Being in New York, though, you can't help but love Spring. People just seem nicer. Nothing is too overcrowded since some of us are still hibernating, but this city itself seems to do a great inhale from March to mid-June. A living organism that does what we all do after a real good sleep, yawn.
I like to say that I love the "in-between" seasons (Spring and Autumn/Fall) and so far, they never disappoint! With something like an end in sight to the extra-long hibernation period that abruptly ended Summer before it even started, it's good to be able to just take a second outside and just breathe.
Thanks, LaVar. I needed that.
It goes without saying that this hasn't been the best of times. I mean, plague, death, and being stuck in a New York apartment with just you and your four friends (Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha). You really pine for the old New York. The New York that Simon and Garfunkle sang about.
Yeah, that one. I didn't get that last year and I"m having serious FOMO this year. But I'm fully vaxed and stocked up on Zyrtec! A year ago, I was living at home and couldn't really go out much (I have a brother with a pre-existing condition, so everything was a high risk). But now, I live alone with my dog, and if Autumn in New York was stellar just imagine what Spring will bring!
Now some of you might think that I'm naive and that's fine. But what I do know is that being here, New York can sometimes feel like a jungle and at other times a prison, especially in quarantine and especially in Manhattan. Being stuck in an empty apartment with your thoughts, battling imposter syndrome while searching for a job, and never knowing if the next time you go to the bodega on the corner will be your last is taxing on anyone. Then I realized something: just getting out in nature can be a really healing experience.
But Rejy, this is New York we're talking about. What do you mean ~*nature*~?
I know, I sound like a complete maniac but what I mean is whatever nature is to you.
- If you need green, go to a park (there are plenty in Manhattan, I'm sure you can find one).
- If you need air go for a walk (masked ofc but something is better than nothing)
If you're anything like me, however, you need to not be. For, you see, I am a plant. Or at least, I think I'd make a good one. I need sunshine.
The earth is full of gifts, but the greatest ones, to me, are the ones that come naturally. Nothing makes me feel more confident, more at peace, more motivated than a 67-degree day with a light breeze and a lot of Vitamin D! The warmth on your face, the glow it gives, and the life it breathes is evident in our plant and wildlife. I mean, have you seen a cherry blossom tree?
Being out for a walk when the weather is at its peak is really god-tier healing both for your physical and your mental health. But don't take my word for it. Try it out. Like within the next 24-hours. GO OUTSIDE. *And stay safe!*
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Rejy Drayton and writers in Earth and other communities.
Himalayas Bare and Rocky After Reduced Winter Snowfall, Scientists Warn
The Himalayas, often described as the world’s “Third Pole,” are facing a dramatic and worrying transformation. Scientists are warning that reduced winter snowfall is leaving vast stretches of the mountain range bare, rocky, and increasingly vulnerable to long-term environmental damage. Once known for their thick snow blankets and powerful glaciers, parts of the Himalayas are now showing exposed rock earlier than ever before—an alarming sign of climate stress in one of Earth’s most critical ecosystems. A Visible Change in the World’s Highest Mountains Winter snowfall plays a vital role in the Himalayan climate system. Snow acts as a protective layer, insulating glaciers and regulating the slow release of meltwater into rivers during warmer months. However, researchers monitoring satellite data and ground stations report that recent winters have brought significantly less snowfall across large areas of the range. As a result, snowlines are rising higher up the slopes, leaving lower and mid-altitude regions exposed. This has turned once-white mountain landscapes into expanses of dark rock, which absorb more heat from the sun, accelerating warming in a dangerous feedback loop. Why Reduced Snowfall Matters Snow is more than a scenic feature—it is essential to the health of Himalayan glaciers. When snowfall declines, glaciers lose their main source of replenishment. At the same time, exposed ice and rock melt faster under direct sunlight. Scientists warn that this imbalance is speeding up glacier retreat across the Himalayas. Many glaciers are now shrinking at rates not previously recorded, threatening the long-term stability of water systems that support nearly two billion people across South and Southeast Asia. Impact on Asia’s Major Rivers The Himalayas feed some of the world’s most important rivers, including the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, and Mekong. These rivers depend on seasonal snow and ice melt to maintain consistent flow throughout the year. Reduced snowfall means less stored water for the dry season. In the short term, faster melting can cause floods and landslides. In the long term, however, shrinking glaciers could lead to water shortages, affecting agriculture, hydropower, and drinking supplies across multiple countries. A Growing Risk of Disasters Bare, rocky slopes are far more unstable than snow-covered ones. Snow helps bind loose material together, while exposed rock and soil increase the likelihood of landslides and avalanches. Scientists have already observed a rise in slope failures and glacial lake outburst floods in the region. As glaciers retreat, meltwater often accumulates in fragile lakes dammed by loose rock and ice. These lakes can burst suddenly, releasing destructive floods that threaten mountain communities and downstream infrastructure. Climate Change at the Core Researchers agree that climate change is the primary driver behind the declining snowfall. Rising global temperatures are altering weather patterns, causing more winter precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow. Even small temperature increases at high altitudes can drastically change how moisture behaves. Additionally, warming oceans and shifting atmospheric circulation are affecting the timing and intensity of winter storms that traditionally brought snow to the Himalayas. Effects on Local Communities and Wildlife Mountain communities that rely on predictable snowfall for farming, tourism, and water storage are already feeling the effects. Farmers report changes in planting cycles, while winter tourism has declined in some regions due to unreliable snow conditions. Wildlife is also under pressure. Species adapted to cold environments are losing habitat as snow cover shrinks. Plants that depend on snowmelt are struggling to survive in drier, warmer conditions, disrupting fragile alpine ecosystems. Scientists Call for Urgent Monitoring and Action Experts stress the importance of improved monitoring of snowfall, glacier health, and water flows across the Himalayan region. Better data can help governments plan for future water management challenges and disaster risks. At the same time, scientists emphasize that local adaptation alone is not enough. Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions remains critical to slowing temperature rise and preserving what remains of the Himalayan snow and ice. What the Future Holds If current trends continue, large parts of the Himalayas could see permanent changes within decades. Reduced snowfall and accelerating glacier loss may reshape landscapes, ecosystems, and human livelihoods on an unprecedented scale. The sight of bare, rocky Himalayan slopes is more than a visual change—it is a warning signal. The world’s highest mountains are responding rapidly to a warming planet, and the consequences will extend far beyond the peaks themselves.
By Fiazahmedbrohi a day ago in Earth
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal5 days ago in Resources
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.