National Writing Day, Forest Bathing & Slowing Down
Anna Woolliscroft
??Wellbeing Resources Creator ?? Author ?? Wellbeing & Nature Writer ?? Podcast Host ?? Creative & Expressive Writing Facilitator
What did you do to make the most of the glorious sunshine over the past few days? I’ve been outside a lot and have gained inspiration from forests, woodland, and the back garden.
It’s cooler now, and rain is on the way, but nature needs it, and I’ll put a cardigan on!
I took the opportunity on Monday to relocate downstairs and open the patio doors to let nature inside.
??The expansive environment helped with productivity and clarity
??The bird song and a gentle breeze enthused my mood
??The fresh air and proximity to a green space sparked ideas generation.
I'm reading 'Everybody Needs Beauty: In Search of the Nature Cure' by Samantha Walton. In the introduction, she quotes, 'I learned to see my mood mirrored in nature and trained myself to be responsive to the subtle emotional influences of plants, animals and weather.'
I know exactly what she means. When I woke on Thursday to a grey, cloudy and rainy morning, a headache also greeted me!
'In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.' John Muir
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Writing—Words for Wellness
19 June was National Writing Day—naturally, it's one of my favourite days!
Did you know that only 28.7% of 'children and young people aged 8 to 18 say they enjoy writing in their free time'? According to the National Literacy Trust, children's enjoyment of writing at home is declining despite increasing by 22% over the past year in a school environment.
Why is that?
I've never seen more notebooks, journals, and diaries on the shelves, so it's not because of a shortage of supplies. I will make it part of my mission to find out and change this statistic for the better!
Since investing more time in writing creatively and as a form of self-expression in my journal, I've gained much enjoyment, clarity, and focus, as well as ideas, realisations, and positive wellbeing.
To celebrate words of wisdom and to build a writing habit, try the prompts below suggested by the National Literacy Trust for yourself or your family.
? ?Journal Prompts
'The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.' Terry Pratchett
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Nature—Discover a Nourishing Connection
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda Bailey from Let's Step In at the beautiful National Trust Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside for an introduction to forest bathing and nature connection. This journey is partly for my latest MA assignment, in which I’m experimenting to connect more deeply with nature. My intention includes increasing time outside in nature, eating more fresh ingredients cultivated from the land, and slowing down.
It was my first time venturing into the ancient woodland at Alderley Edge, and it was stunning. Amanda invited me to observe nature around me in more detail and to be curious about what caught my eye. Locking eyes with a robin redbreast through the undergrowth was heart-warming. Weaving slowly around the trees felt comforting. It was as though they were watching over me, stripping away any stresses I felt from beyond the wood.
Amanda invited me to enjoy a cacao meditation beside a ‘mother tree’. A mother tree is an old tree in a forest that plays a crucial role in supporting and nurturing younger trees and maintaining the ecosystem's overall health. Mother trees are highly connected to others through an underground network of fungi called mycorrhiza. They can send chemical signals to other trees as warnings about potential dangers and environmental stresses. Isn’t this incredible? I find trees fascinating, especially the larger or misshapen ones—what stories they have to tell.
Cacao is native to South America and the seeds, also known as cacao beans, are the primary ingredient for chocolate and cocoa products. The beans are rich in antioxidant polyphenols and have positive mood-enhancing benefits and cultural significance. The drink is rich and bitter, but many ingredients can enhance its flavour. Part of my experience is to drink a cup each day to help awaken my imagination.
After the meditation, Amanda introduced me to a forest bathing walk. It was both mindful and inspiring. I became deeply immersed in nature with all my senses, and time passed quickly—a sign of being in creative flow. Reflecting on my journal entries after the experience was a joy because I learnt a lot and could see the heightened creativity expressed.
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Part of this journey meant I had to slow down. Something I’m not great at. Until recently, I ignored many signs encouraging breaks, downtime, and nudges to say no to work and social commitments. I’m a recovering workaholic. My default setting is to operate at double speed, so taking my time has been a challenging learning curve.
However, through forest bathing, it became evident that I created some of my most creative and intuitive work. This slowing down and connecting with nature nature outside has helped me to:
?? accept openness
?? receive knowledge
?? create freedom of exploration and expression
?? be curious
?? deepen my connection with nature.
The outcome has been a super productive week. I’ve achieving a lot more throughout the day, even though I’ve taken my time and not kicked into work mode until 11 a.m. most days. This is a stark change from shaking the mouse to life at 6 a.m.!
As a species, we evolved connected to nature and lived at a slower pace. I’m trying to get back into this healthy state of living, and I invite you to slow down and try it.
? ?Journal Prompts
'I wish the world was twice as big ― and half of it was still unexplored.' Sir David Attenborough
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Creativity—Explore Your Authentic Self
This Sunday, I’m presenting a journalling workshop at a Women's Health & Wellbeing Festival in Shropshire.
The 45-minute workshop encourages participants to ‘write a future self’ they’ll love through the power of journalling. I’m excited to deliver the content because it’s a concept I’ve been focussing on daily. When I look back, I’ve achieved so much over the past year.
There’s still time to book a half or full-day ticket, and there’s a choice of 24 workshops. Get your tickets here for ￡33.00 (plus booking fee).
? ?Journal Prompts
'The groundwork for all happiness is health.' Leigh Hunt
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Book & Podcast Recommendations
Book: 'Everybody Needs Beauty: In Search of the Nature Cure' by Samantha Walton
Book: ‘Walking in This World’ by Julia Cameron
Book: ‘Journal to the Self’ by Kathleen Adams
Writing with Purpose Resources
I’ve taken a break from recording my podcast to create more study space. The episodes will commence again in September, and I have conversations lined up with outdoor enthusiasts who’ve made a career out of working outside and several published authors. In the meantime, there are 35 episodes full of thought-provoking conversations and journalling prompts. Please do have a listen.
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Until next time, slow down and observe the world around you.
Love & energy
Anna ??
P.S.
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