In sync with nature?

It's only 4 times a year but we make a big deal of solstices and equinox in our house. Always with a fire, treats and chat about the last 3 months and what the next 3 will bring. It really centres me in the season we're heading into/out of

Might be a nice chance for a new hobby to evolve as well? I’ve started photography down from the tiniest of mushrooms on the bark of a tree up to the massive canopy of the tree above. It really helps bring me perspective and shift my mindset from going “through” nature (eg. On a walk) to being “in” nature. Do this often enough and you’ll notice the little things that change week to week and it is very grounding :)

enjoy and update us on what works for you :)

I go to a meditation group and the leader suggests going barefoot in nature to really feel grounded to the earth,

@wand3rer butterfly surveys might go on in a park or similar. They are a summer activity though and finish at the end of September. You could try contacting UK Butterfly Monitoring (UKBMS) to see if there is anything in your area for next summer. It's fascinating to observe the changes in species and numbers over the summer. The transect I do had a high of over 600 on a route that usually takes an hour to walk - took longer than day! I started walking the route with someone experienced and did some on my own later in the summer.

Thanks for this @rbe78. I have never heard of the Mast year before but it now makes sense when I’m out walking, that the woods and roads are absolutely covered with fallen acorns and horse chestnuts. Masses of beautiful red berries everywhere too.

I would second foraging, it's a lovely, mindful and productive way to spend time in nature.

This year is a mast year (a year when everything goes crazy and produces loads and loads of fruit/seeds etc), so there is a lot around.

Sloe gin is an easy (and delicious) thing to make, and sloes are everywhere and abundant this year. Crabapples are easy to find and indentify as well - crabapple jelly is a nice thing to make with them, though a bit involved.

Be super careful with mushrooms unless you are 100% sure what you are picking - lots of people run mushrooming/foraging courses which is a good way to learn.

I love this book: www.waterstones.com/book/the-foragers-calendar/john-wright/9781781256220

*Foraging stuff like wild garlic, brambles, berries, dandelions, make different foods/teas with them.
*Leave the house for a walk (sit outside without your phone/music) and just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
*Reduce UPF, eat only when you are hungry
*Bird watching, bat , bird, general wildlife observation. We have owls in our garden and just listening to them at night is so awesome.
*Make a bird feeder for winter
*Plant some fruit trees
*Maybe some sort of craft with natural material if you are into that? Think leaves, pinecones, something with clay etc

My boyfriend and his dog recently came to live with me.

I love the dog walks so much and they have definitely made me remember my love of just being in the countryside. We walk the same route every day after work to a field and some meadows and a stream. Or sometimes further afield (my house is a few minutes walk from rolling hills and countryside).

It made me remember the dog walks I went on with my mum as a young teenager. I loved those times so, so much and it's made me so happy to go back to it. My children are young adults now so I have time to do this.

Get a dog? Or, I have a friend who walks her cats! She doesn't put a lead on her but your could! It appears to be becoming more acceptable to do this.

Or just walk. Find a local walking group or a friend who could join you.

I understand the longing.

Volunteer with a local wildlife organisation

Read a book, learn to draw or paint, listen to audiobooks or podcasts, drink water, crochet, knit, embroider.

Take up smoking again and commune with the tobacco plants.

Gardening including growing some food, getting involved in a community garden, making seasonal jams and chutneys etc either from things you gave grown or from foraging. Gathering seasonal foliage, flowers etc (grown by you or foraged responsibly) to display in your home or use for crafts.

Yesterday afternoon i went out for a bit and collected some rowan berries and elderberries to make rowan jelly and elderberry cordial. They cost pennies to make but the whole process gets you out into nature and enjoying the season. I also harvested the last of the peas from my garden and we had them with dinner. Really mindful and relaxing!

Meditate outdoors while walking or sitting (minus ciggy)? Get into gardening even if it's just a few pots on a windowsill... Or be a volunteer gardener? Notice the moon, watch the birds...