Resilience and Connection: Expanding Our Conservation and Psychological Horizons

As we navigate the evolving challenges of conservation and psychological well-being, it becomes increasingly clear that resilience and connection are vital to our work and lives. This summer, I had the privilege of creating workshops addressing environmental degradation's emotional toll on conservationists. Simultaneously, I've been exploring new dimensions in Adlerian psychology, proposing the inclusion of an "Outdoor Life Task" that deepens our relationship with the natural world. These experiences have reinforced the importance of embracing emotional awareness and a holistic approach to well-being.

This newsletter includes:

• An article on Embracing Resilience
• An article contemplating the inclusion of an Outdoor Life Task

Upcoming events:

• Leadership Launchpad for Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies . My partner Jyotsna Maan and I are excited to spend a week with a cohort of current and future leaders in conservation.
• Workshop "Nurturing Resilience: Finding Fulfillment in Challenging Conservation Work"

Embracing Resilience in Conservation: A Summer of Growth and Learning

This summer has been an incredibly meaningful period for me as I was entrusted with the responsibility of creating workshops for two different groups of conservationists. Both workshops reminded me of the profound emotional challenges we face in our work and the importance of nurturing resilience.

First, I was asked to design a workshop specifically for coral reef biologists, who are bracing for the impact of another season of coral bleaching. These dedicated professionals are on the front lines, witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on the ecosystems they work so hard to protect. This workshop, titled "Navigating Coral Grief: A Resilience Workshop for Frontline Conservationists," focused on acknowledging the grief that comes with these environmental losses and providing tools to foster resilience. The aim was to help these biologists process their grief, maintain their emotional well-being, and continue their critical work with renewed strength and purpose.

Shortly after, I was contacted by another agency to address a broader, but equally pressing issue: Ecogrief and Resilience. This led to the creation of a workshop titled "Nurturing Resilience: Finding Fulfillment in Challenging Conservation Work." In this session, we delve into the emotional realities that conservation professionals face daily—the grief, frustration, and sometimes overwhelming question of whether our efforts truly make a difference. We work together to build emotional awareness, develop strategies for resilience, and find ways to cultivate fulfillment in our conservation efforts, even when progress seems slow or uncertain.

Both workshops underscore a critical theme: the importance of emotional awareness and resilience in conservation work. The emotional toll of witnessing environmental degradation is real, and it's something we must acknowledge and address. In this regard, I found great resonance with the insights shared by Panu Pihkala in his recent article, "Engaging with Climate Grief, Guilt, and Anger in Religious Communities." Pihkala emphasizes the complex emotions that arise in response to climate change—grief, guilt, and anger—and the necessity of engaging with these feelings constructively. He highlights that these emotions are natural and essential in guiding us towards meaningful action and resilience. By acknowledging these emotions within ourselves and our communities, we can create spaces for healing and empowerment.

As conservationists, we are part of a community that is deeply connected to the natural world. The challenges we face are daunting, but by supporting each other and focusing on resilience, we can continue to protect and preserve the environments we cherish. Pihkala’s work reminds us that by embracing our emotions, rather than suppressing them, we can find strength and purpose even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital aspect of conservation work and look forward to continuing to support our community as we navigate these challenges together.

Contemplating the Outdoor Life Task: Extending Adler's Vision

As someone deeply invested in Adlerian psychology, I find myself increasingly drawn to the idea of introducing a new core life task—what I’ve come to call the Outdoor Life Task. This task would focus on our relationship with the natural world, emphasizing stewardship, reciprocity, and connection with the environment. In reflecting on this potential addition, I am reminded of Alfred Adler’s own words:

" This social feeling remains throughout life, changed, colored, circumscribed in some cases, enlarged and broadened in others until it touches not only the members of his own family, but also his clan, his nation, and finally, the whole of humanity. It is possible that it may extend beyond these boundaries and express itself towards animals, plants, lifeless objects, or finally towards the whole cosmos." Page 43 in Understanding Human Nature by Alfred Adler (and translated by Walter Béron Wolfe).??

Adler’s concept of Gemeinschaftsgefühl, or social interest, is at the heart of his psychological framework. It represents a sense of belonging, cooperation, and shared responsibility among people. But what if we extend this social interest beyond human relationships to include our interactions with the natural world? What if, as Adler suggested, our feeling of community also embraces the Earth, the animals, the plants, and even the cosmos?

The Outdoor Life Task is rooted in the understanding that our survival and well-being are inextricably linked to the health of the environment. Food, water, shelter—these essential elements all come from nature. Moreover, our bodies are ecosystems unto themselves, dependent on the delicate balance of the natural world. When we neglect our environment, we jeopardize not only our physical health but also our mental and emotional well-being.

Incorporating an Outdoor Life Task into the Adlerian framework would not be a departure from Adler’s original ideas but rather an expansion that recognizes the interdependence between humans and the environment. This life task would encourage us to cultivate a sense of reciprocity with the Earth, nurturing the resources that sustain us and fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. It would challenge us to move beyond being mere users of nature and instead become active stewards of it.

This task would also enrich our experience of the other life tasks—occupation, love, friendship, self, and spirituality. For example, outdoor activities can enhance our social bonds, provide solace and inspiration, and offer opportunities for self-reflection and growth. By engaging with the natural world, we deepen our understanding of interconnectedness, which is at the core of social interest.

While some may argue that adding a new life task complicates the Adlerian model, I believe it actually strengthens it. By acknowledging our relationship with nature as a fundamental aspect of life, we ensure that our approach to well-being is holistic and comprehensive. The Outdoor Life Task, therefore, is not just about caring for the environment; it is about recognizing that our health, our relationships, and our very existence are woven into the fabric of the Earth itself.

As we contemplate the future of Adlerian psychology, it is worth considering how we can extend the principles of social interest to include not just our fellow humans, but the entire planet. In doing so, we honor Adler’s vision of a life lived in harmony with all of creation—humans, animals, plants, the Earth, and the cosmos.

For more information:

Please contact me for more information on the workshops mentioned or if you want something similar for your particular group of people (like Invasive Species biologists whom I often hear are suffering immensely in their work). I'm happy to customize sessions to meet your group's specific needs.

For more information on my other offerings, please go to my website - https://anavahconsulting.com/.

Newsletter written with the assistance of AI.