In sync with nature?

[wand3rer]

Hi,

No idea where to post this 😂

I’d like to feel more in sync with nature. But not in a woo-woo way! I would like to make small, practical changes, like eating fruits and vegetables that are in season, bringing natural scents inside (without scented candles, as they give me headaches), and taking more walks outdoors.

What other simple ways might help me connect with nature more?

On a related note, when I used to smoke, I could sit for hours in a garden or park with a cigarette. Letting my mind go blank and just observing the trees around me. Without cigarettes, I get restless within minutes. I really miss those moments!

How do I regain that?

🙏

the Merlin app is great, isn’t it? I’m also using the Seek app to identify plants but also insects etc. It doesn’t always get things right, but double checking what it says is part of the engagement. It makes me more observant, looking out for plants I’ve not logged yet. Just walking along the local canal doing this one day I noticed several plants I’d never been aware of before.
My observation list is at 194 plants, 24 fungi (they have such great names!), 16 insects and 13 molluscs (I was on some beaches last week - most of these are from shells).

I have a flask and take a cup of tea or coffee out with me on walks. Sometimes a bit of home made cake or a flapjack too. It gives me a good excuse to sit in nature and do absolutely nothing.

You said you can kill any plant OP, but it is very hard to kill mint. A pot of that on your windowsill or doorstep and you have mint tea and scented leaves and flowers to bring into the house. Rosemary is another good one.

I always have a nature table windowsill in my house. I bring in seasonal things - a handful of acorns, fallen leaves, teasels, a snowdrop in an egg cup, a twig of holly at Christmas.

A great way to really notice nature is to get an Instagram account and just post up one photo a day of something you've noticed on your walk. Even if nobody else ever looks at it it's a beautiful thing to look back on at the turn of the seasons.

It all started with winter solstice as I dislike the short days and would be happy to know they're getting longer, but then I noticed it really feels nice to connect with the season we're going into and coming out of so we've slowly added in the others

Spoilt with more lovely ideas! I agree, since I can't sit restlessly, adding purpose might help: foraging, taking photos, collecting bits, identifying species, etc.

@WasThatACorner: Brilliant! I found the books at my library 😊

@ErrolTheDragon: Impressive observation list! ☺️

@SeaAndStars: I even manage to kill my neighbour’s plants when they’re away! I’ll give mint a try. I love the nature table idea 😊

@NettleandBramble: Oh yes, it would look lovely drying on the windowsill. Inspired by your name, I might start with nettle. It’s everywhere 😊

@Devonmaid1844: I’m the opposite. I count the days to fall. But I never thought of celebrating it. I definitely should! ☺️

If you need help with calming your mind you could try a short meditation - I use a YouTube account called Yoga With Tim. The connection to nature is that some of his videos are from a fabulous beach in Bali. I find the sound of the crashing waves really uplifting and listen to them most days.

@AgentPidge I love the sound of the crashing waves too. I'll check it out 😊

Listen to the podcast ‘As the season turns’
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/as-the-season-turns/id1545833974?i=1000729420304

How about a string of worry beads to help you sit and contemplate in the park?

@Livingforfriday: Thanks, I subscribed to the podcast 😊

@Myoldbear: I didn’t know what thet were. Now I just need to go to Greece to get the real deal! ☺️

Next year's holiday sorted then!

Live in the 6 week cycle of the wheel of the year. Emotionally and physically.

Journal

I miss sitting outside with a fag!

Best thing for me is sunrises. All year around. See the sunrise.

@Rituelec: Any good reading on the six-week cycle? Ah, someone who gets the longing—not just for the cigarette, but for the "lifestyle" ☺️ I love a sunrise. But the only ones I see are when I'm still up from the night before!

This is such a beautiful thread.
I am in the southern hemisphere so opposite season here.
Sitting in my lounge and it’s raining but everything looks so greasy and so green .

What about joining a dog borrowing group (borrowmydoggy, I think it’s called), to get you out and about in nature?

Could you doodle , maybe have a go at drawing what you can see while outside ?
Or by sitting next to an open window ?
Suitably attired in winter.

@LunaTheCat: Beautiful thread indeed. Wishing you a lovely spring! 😊

@JMSA: I’d never heard of dog borrowing groups before. Very tempted to give it a try! ☺️

@limetrees32: Drawing might be a stretch, but I could definitely give doodling a go! 😊