This long weekend, I took a break from screens and deadlines, laced up my walking shoes and headed to the Mangemangeroa Valley for a two hour walk.
And it was magic! The kind of magic you only find when you’re surrounded by native bush, birdsong, and stunning scenery.
If you haven’t been through the Mangemangeroa Valley, you should. It’s beautiful.
The well-maintained track winds its way through lush native bush, with sunlight coming through the trees, pretty glimpses of the river, combined with an earthy smell of damp leaves. And just to balance out all of this beauty, the occasional roar of a truck travelling across the bridge overhead!
Along the way, I was joined by cutie piwakawaka which darted around me like they’ve had too much coffee, my favourite riroriro with their incredibly melodic song, many tui busy being their loud confident selves, and the heavy whoosh of two kererū taking flight like big feathered bowling balls in the sky!
Somewhere in the middle of all of this, while dodging tree roots and delighting in the closeness of cheeky fantails, I started thinking about websites - I know, it’s not your average bushwalk thought, but stick with me!
Building a website is actually a bit like a bush walk.
When you first start out, you’re not entirely sure where the path is going.
Sometimes it’s smooth and easy, sometimes it’s a bit rough and muddy, sometimes you stop and say, ‘Should I have turned left back there?’ But you keep on going, taking one step at a time, and eventually things fall into place, and the direction becomes clearer.
There’s a natural rhythm to building a website. You test it, edit things, tweak colours, move buttons… It can be a slow process, but in a very satisfying way.
And every now and then, everything just ‘clicks’, and you get that, ‘this is working’ feeling. It’s just like a walking track opening up in front of you and seeing a gorgeous view, or you’re treated to a tui mid-song.
There’s something really grounding about being out in nature because everything is just doing its thing. The trees aren’t trying to be flash. The birds aren’t overthinking their songs. It’s simple and genuine, and it just works.
That’s exactly what I aim for with the websites I build. Not overcomplicated or stuffed full of fluff. Just clear, honest, easy to use, and with a natural navigational flow. I want the result to be something that feels right for the person it’s being built for.
Being outside on a beautiful long weekend day reminded me to stop and take a breath. In the middle of busy work days, checking emails and big to-do lists, it’s easy to forget what life is all about.
It’s not all about constantly working to achieve goals and busting your gut to quickly get where you want to go, it’s about pausing along the way and fully taking in a special moment.
Some of the best stuff, like an epic design idea, only appears when you take a moment of quiet, giving it the time and space to show up.
So yeah, that’s what I got out of my two hour walk - some fresh air, some birdwatching, muddy shoes, and a little reminder that there’s beauty in taking your time, in building things slowly and well, and in stepping away now and again so you can come back with fresh eyes and a clear head.
And if you ever find yourself needing a break or a boost of inspiration, I highly recommend a walk through the Mangemangeroa Valley.
There’s a good chance you’ll come back with a full heart, a clearer mind, and a few ideas for your next project, or at the very least, it’ll put a smile on your face.
