Connect with yourself

We’ve been deeply conditioned to believe that we are separate from Nature so it’s quite a mental shift to realise that we are intrinsically part of Nature. How could we be anything else? We evolved within Nature and continue to evolve, along with every other species, within our environment.

We depend on nature in the same way that nature depends on us.

Our attraction to the natural environment is in fact part of our DNA and as humans, we need direct experience with nature.

Whatever the question, the answer lies in nature

Spending time in Nature, being really present in Nature, puts life into perspective. Watching insects busily build, watching birds forage, watching snails move ever so slowly, brings an immediacy and realness to life.

Going out for a walk can actually be a way of going in. When you are quiet and receptive, and allow yourself to be fully immersed and absorbed in nature, then insights about life reveal themselves.

For some people it takes only one moment of deeply entering into Nature to inspire new attitudes and priorities about life.

Disconnect to re-connect

Even though Nature is our habitat, we spend less time outside and in Nature than ever before. On average, we spend a staggering 11 hours a day plugged into some kind of digital media. Which is sad, because people often experience more disconnection from themselves when they are too connected to technology.

Connecting with yourself means disconnecting from technology, just for a while.

Because it only takes a few minutes of disconnecting from distractions to connect with yourself again. And when you connect with yourself you tend to feel more connected with the world around you.

Take a walk

Connect with Nature

What the research shows

Take some time out

What does it mean to connect with yourself? For many, it’s simply a matter of tapping into quietness and stillness.

Life can be overwhelming sometimes. Get outside, find a tree that you like, sit, journal, and if it feels appropriate, have a conversation with the tree.

We come from nature, we have evolved from nature, and in many ways when we’re not connected with nature we’re not connected with ourselves.

Nature is completely non-judgemental, non-discriminatory, unapologetic. And being surrounded by such unassuming aliveness is very soothing for the soul. Nature becomes a companion. And the more we spend time with nature, the more nature grants us a glimpse into our own existence.

Nature is the best therapy

If something’s bothering you, go out in nature, sit quietly with yourself, eyes open or closed and observe what happens. Spend some time observing the life that’s happening around you.

Nature brings out our instinctive side, and when we tune into our instinctual senses more we can begin to discover out connection with everything around us.

Journaling is an amazing resource. Write about what you see around you and how it impacts you. Draw sketches of what you see around you and what life it takes on as you outline it.

And of course if you need more substantial person-to-person support, nature-informed psychotherapy can be a good place to start.

Finding a sense of place

It’s in our nature to be in touch with earth and the Earth. It’s hard-wired into our DNA. Which is why it makes sense that profound moments with nature give us an understanding of our place in the world.

The environment we live in is as much a part of who we are as are our own arms and legs.

‘The land is a community to which we belong’

Aldo Leopold