Reconnecting With Nature

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Reconnecting with nature AND natural things.

You know how easy it is to lose some of those positive routines and habits you had growing up? For me, it was in college, I stopped reading for fun and didn’t spend as much time outside. That continued in my 20s as I was busy working, being ‘all that’ (or so I thought!) and traveling all over creation. I didn’t have time for such trivial things as I was a woman who was going to climb the corporate ladder! Fortunately for me, that didn’t last too long as it wasn’t the right fit.

I grew up in the countryside outside of Chicago and my mom made sure we were outside whenever possible. In the summer we couldn’t be in the house except for meals, the mandatory post lunch rest time and to do any chores we had. I spent a significant amount of time outside growing as many kids did around that time. Things are very different for kids today … but I also see how it varies from country to country!

While living in Asia in the mid-90s, I was immersed in nature again: hiking, trekking, the ocean/beach and not stuck in an office for the typical 9-5. This was my chance to reconnect with nature and myself on a deep level. I found myself continually pulled towards the natural healing arts world. And here I am today … literally 2+ decades later, with 16 years of professional experience in natural health and healing.

I’m currently living on the island of Sumbawa where I’m REALLY surrounded by nature and live ‘outdoors’. It feels strange now to be enclosed in 4 walls. I would love for everyone to experience this … to disconnect from our ‘real world’ to explore and experience THE real world (if you know what I mean). I completely acknowledge that living this way is NOT for everyone. My suggestion is spending some time in this world (or any natural setting) for exploration and connection.

I’d like to invite you to find your place in nature if you haven’t already identified ‘your place’. Is it in the rice paddies, forests, mountains or ocean? Maybe all of the above? I have a strong pull to the water ~ especially the ocean, but the rice paddies come in 2nd. I love all things green and feel so deeply connected to mother earth when I’m walking through the rice paddies (or a forest/jungle for that matter). I guess I’m just thrilled to be outdoors.

GET OUT IN NATURE WHEN:

you feel overwhelmed

you feel sad

you feel confused

your energy is low

you feel depressed

you have anxiety

you feel stressed

you feel happy

you have to make a big decision

There’s really never a bad time to connect with nature. This is rocket science and I know you know these things. BUT, if you’re not doing this on a daily basis, you need to hear it again. I’m NOT suggesting that getting out in nature will solve all of your problems. What I am suggesting is that it is a healthy and natural way to help you process emotions and thoughts. It is a healthier choice when compared to a bottle of wine or a pint of ice cream (or whatever your go to is). I don’t know about you, but I feel better just looking at these pictures!

One other REALLY FUN way to connect with nature is through our pets. They are still so connected to the natural world and we can connect through them. They bring us so much joy and provide us with unconditional love (though cats may not always show it … hehe). When we lived in Portland, we didn’t have a pet … well, only chickens (and all of the ‘small’ animals a young child can have). Instead we volunteered at the Pixie Project and walked dogs and loved up the cats.