10 Things To Know Before Dating The Girl Who Loves Nature And Being Outside

Jakob Owens

More and more girls are getting into outdoor activities, and these outdoorsy ladies are wonderfully unique. If you are lucky enough to date an outdoorsy girl, there are a few things that you should know.

1. Don’t automatically leave us at home. If you’re going hunting, fishing, or on some other outdoor excursion, don’t assume that we won’t want to go or that we can’t keep up. More likely than not, we’ll be ready in five minutes with our fishing rods, shotguns, and/or tents already packed. Plus, you’ll win brownie points for asking us to go with you.

2. Get used to being asked out. You’re probably going to get invited on more dates than you’re used to because we’ll ask you if you want to go shoot some ducks or try your hand at the local lake’s fishery with us. This isn’t us being forward. Instead, view it as the same courtesy that you extend to us in #1—if you ask us if we want to go, why shouldn’t we ask you? That being said though . . . .

3. Many of us need our alone time. Part of the wonder of being in the outdoors is that you get escape people. Let’s face it, sometimes the world just overwhelms us with people and we need time to decompress. Really, it’s not you, it’s us.

4. We won’t hold it against you if you’re not outdoorsy. Sure, it’d be great if you were as into hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, etc. as we are, but, if not, that’s okay. We won’t view it as a moral failing, even if we may tease you about it every now and again.

5. If you’re willing to learn, we’re willing to teach. The outdoors is a major part of our lives, and if you want to learn a skill or activity that we already know, then we don’t mind being your Obi-Wan Kenobi.

6. Be patient when we’re teaching you. Learning something new requires patience and, at times, it’s going to be super frustrating. Remember to stay focused on learning the skills and try not to get irritated with us if you don’t quickly master those abilities. Just as you’re trying your best to learn, we’re trying our best to teach. Some outdoors stuff, such as knowing how to cast a fly line with distance and accuracy, takes time and it can be difficult to verbalize exactly how we do what we do.

7. Don’t lie and don’t try to fake knowing how to do something. We know when you’re holding a rod the wrong way when you’re not able to navigate rapids well, or when you’ve brought inadequate gear. We know when you’re faking it. If you need help, please just ask for it. We’ll respect you for being honest, and we’re not going to think less of you or your masculinity.

8. We’re not good at playing the damsel in distress. When you date an outdoorsy girl, you’re dating someone who is self-sufficient and independent. Many of us are fine with wringing birds’ necks, with lipping fish, and with retrieving our own paddles. Enjoy dating this kind of gal. We’ll try to find other ways for you to swoop in and be Superman.

9. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and fashions. Not all of us wear camo. That’s a stereotype, and while some of us do love our camo, others still prefer glitter and glam.

10. Never tell us that we can’t go do our outdoor activity. If you in any way forbid us from fishing, hunting, hiking, or whatever the outdoor activity may be, we will end things. The outdoors is a major part of who we are, and if you deny us part of our identity, we’ll leave. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

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