Winter in New Jersey is dark, gray, and cold, and it feels like so much time is spent longing for the beautiful spring and summer seasons — this article will help you learn to practice present-focused awareness, and gratitude for the season of life that you’re in, while highlighting local spots to make the most of the season. In celebration of summer and the lingering heat wave, we’ve asked local expert + mental health therapist Heather Rafanello, founder of Growing Mindset Therapy, to share local spots to relish in the warm weather. Read on for her take on how to soak up the sunshine at these local spots in Hudson County.
Let’s start off with a moment of gratitude for these long, hot, sunny days, because thinking back it was truly just a few short months ago, in February or March, when the days were cold, dark, and gray. Since the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and nature is truly coming back to life.
Read More: Hudson County Spots to Ground Yourself, From a Local Therapist
Local outdoor spots to feel the warmth of the sun, and breathe in the fresh air include:
- Pier 13 — with gorgeous views of the city skyline, a refreshing breeze, and food trucks galore, this spot is perfect for grabbing some friends, a furry friend, and even the kids to spread out and soak up the sunshine and fresh air.
- The Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse is an all-volunteer-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization on a mission to provide free water sports programs and access to local waterways for all to enjoy.
- Liberty State Park is a great place to pack a picnic, go for a jog (or a stroll), and spread out across the 1,212-acre park. Visitors can get a dose of history by viewing the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, all while being surrounded by remarkable views of Ellis Island, the Manhattan skyline, and of course Lady Liberty herself.
- Don’t miss out on the plethora of local restaurants providing outdoor dining throughout the season.
- Some additional local parks include: Hamilton Park, Church Square Park, Pershing Field, Van Vorst Park, Riverview-Fisk Park, and the piers and parks along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.
Mindfulness is about more than just meditation, it’s about truly being grounded in the present moment — the here and now. Life’s simple pleasures, such as strolling through a farmers’ market, or snacking can be great ways to intentionally practice using your senses to savor in the moment. Here are some places to practice this mindfulness from local therapist Heather Rafanello.
- Grab an ice cream from Torico — stepping inside this long-standing ice cream parlor is a jolt of joy to the senses. From the cool air to the scent of the fresh waffle cones, it’s hard not to fully embrace the moment. Ice cream is a fabulous treat to practice mindfulness too because on a hot day, it requires some serious focus not to have ice cream dripping down your arms, but it’s also fun to feel the sensation of the cool flavors while you’re enjoying your delicious treat.
- Strolling through a farmers’ market is another sensory immersion that makes it almost impossible to not be present-focused. From Riverview Farmers Market in The Heights, or the Jersey City Night Market, the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors are sure to give you ample practice reveling in the moment.
- Movement is another fabulous way to lean into mindfulness, whether it be a stroll through your local park or a fitness class. Fitness in the Park, a free sample of classes from local yoga and fitness studios, has returned for the summer of 2024. Classes will be held at Pier A Park, Southwest Park, and Northwest Resiliency Park this year.
See More: Establishing Online Boundaries: Tips from a Local Therapist
The ultimate goal here is to truly appreciate moments happening right before your eyes. An affirmation that I often share with my clients is ‘be where your feet are’ and using your senses is a fabulous way to seize the moment.
Social Media Accounts That Every New Jersey Resident Should Follow
While we continue to hold our collective breath on all things TikTok ban-related, we are confident that New Jersey residents will have no shortage of content. New Jersey is home to over nine million residents with several talented content creators, podcasters, innovative journalists, and passionate New Jerseyans, sharing hyper-local, in-the-know, content to make living here even more special. While The Hoboken Girl will still be dishing out all of our usual local stories, we’ve compiled a list of some other New Jersey outlets, creators, Facebook groups, podcasts, and more to stay up to date on all things New Jersey via Instagram, Threads, and other platforms. Keep reading for our growing list of New Jersey community content to follow up on with the impending TikTok ban.
*Disclaimer: This is a growing list and any exclusions are not intentional. If you have an addition or suggestion please email [email protected].
News
For hyper-local updates and happenings.
- @hobokennj + hobokennj.gov
- @jerseycitynj + jerseycitynj.gov
- @newarkisnow
- @newjerseyoag + njoag.gov
- @njgov + nj.gov
- @njspotlightnews + njspotlightnews.org
- @visithudsonnj + visithudsoncounty.org
- @visitnj + visitnj.org
- NJ.com
- Patch New Jersey
- TapInto
- Jersey Digs
- Hudson County View
- Jersey City Times
- Montclair Local
And of course, (shameless self-plug) don’t forget to follow The Local Girl brands:
- @thelocalgirlhq + TheLocalGirl.com
- @thehobokengirl + HobokenGirl.com
- @thejerseycitygirl
- @thebergencountygirl + TheBergenCountyGirl.com
- @themontclairgirl + TheMontclairGirl.com
- @thejerseyshoregirl_ + TheJerseyShoreGirl.com
- @thecatskillsgirl
- @thelocalgirlrealestate + realestate.thelocalgirl.com
Read More: 11 Latinx Creators to Follow in New Jersey
NJ-Centric Creators + Accounts
Here are some accounts we love:
- @aapinewjersey
- @bayshorebeyond
- @bestofnj
- @blackinjersey
- @blackownednj
- @christineelliza
- @findingfrancesca_
- @gsequality
- @hoboken_love
- @hobokengossip
- @hotspotsnj
- @jordanandjoelle
- @jerseycityconnects
- @jerseygirlthrift
- @latinosofmontclair
- @leahscucina
- @locallivingnj
- @marmodernvibes
- @megthings_
- @montclairfoodie
- @montclair_eats
- @newjerseyhistory
- @newjerseyisbeautiful
- @newjerseymemes
- @njdigest
- @njhipsturbia
- @newjerseyisntboring
- @njmom
- @njmonthly
- @only_in_new_jersey
- @parisandalatte
- @patrick_njoa
- @sallyslices_
- @sistersnacking
- @sliceofculture
- @talkdirty2yourfood
- @thatsbriannab
- @theerichammer
- @thegardenstate
- @twodopesfromjersey
- @vintage.newjersey
- @wandering_with_mariam
- @weirdnjinsta
- @whatninate
Podcasts
For history, entertainment + some NJ fun facts on multiple platforms.
- The Garden State
- Greetings from the Garden State
- Lost in New Jersey
- New Jersey Is The World
- The New Jersey History Podcast
- What’s Your Jersey
See More: This Montclair-Based Artist Designs Maps + Guides to Beloved New Jersey Spots
Local Facebook Groups
For community online + IRL.
- Entrepreneurs and Business Owners of New Jersey
- Events Happening in New Jersey
- Hoboken + Jersey City Insiders | The Hoboken Girl Insiders
- North Jersey Locals | The Montclair + Bergen Girl Insiders
- Jersey City Connects
- New Jersey Business Network
- New Jersey Food
SubReddits
For community updates and questions.
