We were thrilled to connect with Josh, the mastermind behind Daydreaming Society. We are huge fans of his beautiful blend of photography, outdoor exploration, and cannabis culture. We showcased some of his beautiful work in our Sesh Spot Goals post. In this exclusive interview, we journey into the heart of Daydreaming Society's origins, and discuss how the blend of nature exploration and cannabis consumption can elevate the entire experience.
Falling In Love With The Outdoors
Josh grew up in an endurance sports family - he was signed up for swim teams, a triathlon team, 5k’s, and beyond from a young age. “It was an interesting way to grow up! I think I did my first 100-mile bike ride at age 13. My first half marathon at 14.”
While Chicagoland isn’t necessarily known for its spectacular outdoor scenery in the way that Washington or Colorado are-, it’s a beautiful area nonetheless. Growing up here Josh was able to spend his summers playing in the woods, going to lakes “up north”, or later in his teenage years, taking a 16 hour drive west to Colorado for a long weekend. “It didn’t take me long to realize that I naturally loved spending time outdoors, and it took even shorter time for me to realize that once I started getting stoned, lol.”
“It didn’t take me long to realize that I naturally loved spending time outdoors, and it took even shorter time for me to realize that once I started getting stoned, lol.”
The Birth of Daydreaming Society
Josh fell deeper in love with outdoor recreation after working a summer with a river rafting company in Utah. “I remember some very dramatic moments that summer, walking amongst the red rock formations of southern Utah freshly after a joint. I quit that job and spent the rest of the summer traveling around the West, solo in a Toyota Corolla. I spent all my money. Some of the more holy aspects of life were showing themselves to me that summer. The freedom, The wide-open spaces, visits to mother nature’s most intricate works, and fully being present with the earth. The type of deeply loving feelings toward life and the earth that can’t really be put into words.”
Josh has always believed that cannabis lets you peek behind the lens - and gives you the ability to understand what’s actually important. And, in his opinion, what’s important is pretty simple: loving as much as you can, finding joy in simplicity, nurturing community, breathing, and being with the earth (because you yourself are earth, too).
The brand was born with this same lens on simplicity, joy, nature, and building community. As Josh puts it, the world, society, capitalism, etc. will overcomplicate what’s important. Daydreaming Society was created as a way to influence just that - focusing on what’s important in life, and not the over-complications. “There are plenty of creators in our niche who will tell you to work harder, move faster, and grind for your dreams. I’m here to tell you that you’re already living your dreams, you don’t need to buy that thing, you should move slower, and everything is magic. The space has enough room for all of us, and I love changing the ethos of the canna-community in my own little way.”
“There are plenty of creators in our niche who tell you to work harder, move faster, grind for your dreams. I’m here to tell you that you’re already living your dreams, you don’t need to buy that thing, you should move slower, and everything is magic. The space has enough room for all of us, and I love changing the ethos of the canna-community in my own little way.”
Fostering Community and Connection
Josh really loves how there are like-minded people around the globe who can all connect on a platform; it has to be one of the most positive things about social media. We couldn’t agree more. Daydreaming Society is supposed to be a positive beacon of light on your timeline, and community has become a major factor. “I actually did not know how many people would feel connected to the “doobie in a beautiful spot” photography style, but I am thrilled that so many are! If you haven’t yet, check out the “scenic puffs” broadcast channel on my IG page - we have photos from over 20 different countries and over 100 people.”
Fostering community in your area and beyond has always been a staple message behind Daydreaming Society. Josh believes that the cannabis plant encourages this type of human behavior, but it’s again one of those things that the world or “society” will discourage for one reason or another. “Social Media should be about community too. I would like for Daydreaming Society to always feel more like a community, never a competition.”
Essentials for Outdoor Adventures
Josh’s top 5 essentials for an elevated adventure
Water/water filter - probably goes without saying, but water shortages are easily avoidable and not worth the trouble.
Rolling supplies - you’ve maybe noticed that I like to do the rolling in nature. It’s kind of therapeutic and fun, aside from having to create wind barriers sometimes. I’ll typically always have papers, tips, a grinder, flower, lighter in a case!
W’cked glass tips - These guys and I have been partnering for over a year now, and I honestly hope that goes on forever. I started using them in 2020 for covid sanitary purposes but fell in love with the cooled smoke and better smoke flow. I’ll always have a couple in the small pocket of my backpack
Emma!! - My girlfriend Emma is my adventure buddy. Sometimes it’s her hand holding the j in the photos, haha. She’s a music therapist and plays in a local band, but when our schedules align, Emma is an essential part of my adventures.
Towel or blanket - if you plan on sitting at any nature spot, your best bet is to have the ground towel in your car or bag. It almost always comes in handy.
Favorite Aspects and Challenges
When it comes to favorite elements of working on Daydreaming Society Josh said there is so much to love. “It was such a vague concept that came into fruition randomly, and I had no idea there would be any sort of fulfilling experiences from it. My favorite aspect is the relationship I’ve continued to develop with Mother Nature. Even though I love being outside, you could argue that the page has played a role in continuing the habit of spending time outside and consuming cannabis outside. I also LOVE the friends and community I’ve found! I have a few real-life good friends who connected with me through the page, and even more, I hope to meet in the future.“
For Josh, nothing about smoking weed in nature is exactly challenging per se, aside from some serious uphill hikes and bike rides. But, he does sometimes struggle with the idea of commoditizing nature. “I authentically prefer to spend my time with the trees and water and dirt, and I can’t help but sometimes feel like I’m taking away from that authenticity. What if I did this too much and too hard, and it started feeling like a job? I would never want hiking in a forest to feel like a job. The current solution to me is moderation - not all my hikes and adventures are documented on Daydreaming Society. Some of them are just for me. It’s actually been a beautiful journey discovering these things about me and having that internal conversation regarding my relationship with Mother Nature. But, I always want to keep this challenge in mind. I want to keep my relationship with the outside authentic, therefore also hopefully keeping a layer of authenticity to my photos and videos as well.” We think that is such a beautiful balance with nature and are so grateful for the peeks we do get into Josh’s adventures.
The Benefits of Cannabis and Nature
Josh is a believer that the world moves faster than our bodies and minds have historically moved. Cannabis slows you back down to what could be considered a more human pace. “I think the demands of work, bills, side-hustles, keeping up with the Jones’, etc., can build-up and become antithetical to what it truly means to be human and/or to be alive. The introspective nature of the plant has always been a regulator to me; it will help you re-focus on what’s important. And also, it will teach you to not take things so seriously. That’s another strong ethos I try to advertise on the page - life is just a ride. I believe the best things in life come when we don’t take it too seriously. Just go with the flow. I don’t know how attainable that mentality would be in the modern world without cannabis.”
“I think the demands of work, bills, side-hustles, keeping up with the jones’, etc., can build-up and become antithetical to what it truly means to be human and/or to be alive. The introspective nature of the plant has always been a regulator to me; it will help you re-focus on what’s important. And also, it will teach you to not take things so seriously. That’s another strong ethos I try to advertise on the page - life is just a ride. I believe the best things in life come when we don’t take it too seriously. Just go with the flow. I don’t know how attainable that mentality would be in the modern world without cannabis.”
I also believe in the benefits of sleep, hormones, sexuality, etc. that come from the cannabis plant. As we learn more about mega-corporate agriculture, “big-pharma” greed, or anything along the lines of commoditizing humans, the plant offers a more natural path to specific health benefits. I’m thankful we live in an age where this “alternative” medicine is becoming more and more accepted.
Aspirations and Future Plans
When it comes to goals and aspirations first and foremost Josh hopes to continue to inspire the community, encouraging all to get outdoors, consume mindfully, and connect with the earth as much as possible. Beyond that, he would really love to host a couple community events - specifically a group camping meetup! Which sounds amazing! He is still working out the logistics to make it happen, but you can expect to hear more about it in the near future!
Check out the “adventure highlights” on his page, and you can see some of his bigger, multi-day treks via a vlog style story. “This year, I have the biggest and best trips planned yet - with the biggest being potentially a bike ride down the 101 all the way to California! Another big plan is taking the Alaskan ferry with just my backpack and backpacking into the Alaskan tundra from there. It’s lining up to be a very adventurous year, and I hope to share it as much as possible with the community!” We can’t wait to check out every adventure.
Words of Wisdom
After so many adventures Josh shared advice he might give his younger self or someone just getting started with outdoor adventuring and cannabis. “ I would go back to: It’s just a ride, don’t take it so seriously. I feel super lucky to now know who I am and know what I love. Even if it’s a weird hobby like sharing joint pictures on social media, or swimming across random lakes, or biking 900 miles down the coast, it’s so fun to love yourself. But that all took time. I definitely struggled over the years understanding my relationship with the plant as I got older and navigating the cultural shame that exists in parts of the USA still. I questioned career choices and financial choices, and looking back it’s like, why? Life is long, the magic of life is all around you at any given moment, and you should just enjoy the ride instead of trying to steer the ride.”
It was so awe inspiring and motivating to learn more about Josh’s adventures and the growth and journey of the Daydreaming Society. To learn more about Josh follow him on IG at @daydreaming.society.2 and check out the Daydreaming Society website.
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