Embracing Nature's Wisdom and Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zones
Anna Woolliscroft
??Wellbeing Resources Creator ?? Author ?? Wellbeing & Nature Writer ?? Podcast Host ?? Creative & Expressive Writing Facilitator
Summer is here! Or is it… ??♀?
How are you planning to spend the summer holidays?
I've been embracing the healing power of nature and pushing my boundaries a little further. In this newsletter, I’ll share some experiences that have brought me joy, insight, and a dash of unexpected adventure. The flow is a little different, too.
Recently, I treated myself to another forest bathing session. As I wandered through the woods, I gathered a series of items that held special significance. Each leaf, twig, and stone seemed to whisper a story, reminding me of the intricate connections we share with the natural world.
Being outside in nature truly is a tonic for the soul. It has a remarkable ability to ease away the challenges of life, offering us alternative perspectives and new ways of seeing. Nature holds us, supports us, encourages us, and ultimately restores us. In those quiet moments amongst the trees, I felt a profound sense of peace and renewal.
I've also had the pleasure of enjoying a lovely BBQ with my girlfriends. This gathering reinforced the importance of having a close circle of friends. The relationships we forge with our friends are uniquely different from those with partners, family members, or work colleagues. A special kind of support and understanding comes from these friendships, a space where we can truly be ourselves.
‘Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'’ C.S. Lewis
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Creativity—Explore Your Authentic Self
On the literary front, I've been engrossed in 'Writing the Shadow' by Joanna Penn. While the book is primarily aimed at writers, anyone can benefit from exploring Carl Jung's concept of the Shadow.
Jung, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, described the Shadow as the unconscious part of our personality that our conscious ego doesn't identify with. It often contains repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts, and shortcomings. By acknowledging and integrating our Shadow, we can achieve greater self-awareness and personal growth.
This book has sparked some fascinating self-reflection, which I've been exploring through my journalling practice. Consider the following prompts to delve deeper into your own Shadow aspects and encourage self-reflection.
? ?Journal Prompts
‘Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.’ Carl Jung
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Nature—Discover a Nourishing Connection
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you’ll know I’m a huge advocate of journalling. And I'd like to share more extracts from my personal journal in future newsletters. I see this as a safe space to explore and receive feedback on where and how creative writing and writing for wellbeing blend – the two forms enrich each other.
Today, I'd like to share a snippet from my recent forest walk around Alderley Edge and the Cheshire countryside. The dramatic red sandstone escarpment and ancient woodland provide endless inspiration for me, and it’s definitely a place that switches on my creative flow.
The following words are unedited, captured as I sat alone beside a large fir tree in the woods.
Here I sit in nature, on nature, under nature. Being held and being watched over. Protected. Nurtured. Invited. Loved. Encouraged. I breathe in the oxygen. It's pure, friendly, untainted. The wind whistles, fighting against the hum of an overhead plane. Overly loud dog walkers chatting, shouting ‘Ben’. I rest slightly elevated, I'm on show, but that's fine. I'm comfortable. Offering a resting place for inquisitive insects. Take a breather on me as you fly on your journey. I am on a journey too. One of the adventure, exploration, curious discovery. I am a Voyager of nature, a co-pilot giving and receiving but also just being. This is my work, but it's not hard. It's easy because the connection is there. The energetic link between flora, fauna and human, we are one. My adventure is to unpick how the energy flows. To find the best concoction that will work for both me and tree. A creak of a branch agrees. Pockets of lights cascade onto the floor like splashes of sunshine. Mirrors of the sky on the ground. There is no above, below, or beyond. It's all here in the present. It all works together, even the unseen.
I’d love to know what you think of this extract and if any ‘place’ inspires you to write, work or be present. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be exploring working in nature with my Shadow connection and seeing where this leads to improved wellbeing. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
领英推荐
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.' John Muir
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Writing (or Speaking)—Words for Wellness
Let me tell you about an unexpected adventure that pushed me slightly out of my comfort zone... even though it was pretty trivial!
Last Saturday, we attended the annual Alsager Music Festival, a vibrant celebration of local talent and community spirit. It was family fun at its finest, with something for everyone to enjoy.
As we soaked in the festive atmosphere, a young man from BBC Radio Stoke approached our group. My stomach did a little flip when I realised he was looking for people to interview. In a moment of self-preservation (or perhaps mischief), I cocked my head toward my partner and said, ‘He will.’ Immediately, I wondered if I'd overstepped. Would my partner appreciate being volunteered like that?
To my relief, he took it in stride and chatted happily into the mic. Then, his daughter and her best friend followed suit, sharing their thoughts about the festival. When the reporter turned back to me, I thought, "Oh, go on then..." and joined the impromptu radio interview.
The real treat came the following Monday when we discovered that all three of us were included in the short audio extract. Famous? Not quite, but it was fun to hear ourselves on air. The little one even gained some street cred for her radio debut!
This experience reminded me of an important life lesson: sometimes, you must step out of your comfort zone, no matter how small the step might seem. There's usually a positive outcome waiting if you do. It might be a boost of confidence, a memorable experience, or simply a good story to tell later.
If you find yourself hesitating when put on the spot, remember that these moments can lead to unexpected joys. They're opportunities for growth, surprise, and discovering hidden strengths within ourselves. For those of you who might feel anxious about being put on the spot, I've included some journal prompts below to help you explore these feelings:
? ?Journal Prompts
‘The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.’ Unknown
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Book & Podcast Recommendations
Book: 'Writing Wild’ by Tina Welling
Book: ‘Writing the Shadow’ by Joanna Penn
Fiction Book: ‘Sanatorium’ by Sarah Pearse
Resources
Until next time, slow down and observe the world around you.
Love & energy
Anna ??
P.S.
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