Finding My Way Back to Nature After A Long Sabbatical
Connection is something all humans seek. When one typically thinks of connection we mostly point towards human connection like our friends and family. We seek to find meaning within the wider society. But something that can be missed with this thought process is the connection to the earth.
For me I have always felt a strong connection to the earth. One that I can’t really explain in just a word. My connection with the earth has always been an ebb and flow. It was certainly stronger when I was a kid.
As a child trips to the local park were a weekly occasion and there was a certain magical energy of being in the forest. Now, this could have been because I was watching a lot of shows that connected magic and nature together. But I can’t say that was negative, I felt like nature was trying to communicate with me through the winds. As a child I danced along the wind waves in what felt like a strong bond with mother earth.
I collected stones that I deemed lucky and enjoyed exploring new trails or new species of animals that my young eyes had never laid their eyes upon. I felt that nature and me were one, interconnected in a sense.
As I grew older, I spent more and more time inside, in my bedroom or the mall. Soon, nature began to feel foreign to me, and started to feel like an inconvenience when the weather changed. The rain became a reason to stay inside, instead of a reason to splash in puddles or find the worms and snails. To them this was a celebration. I lost the spark nature gave my once younger self.
Covid forced many of us to lose those human connections, some turned to nature and took it as an opportunity to explore the wild wonders it holds. Or if you were like me, you turned to a screen and stayed inside. For me, it got so bad that I developed a vitamin D deficiency. For most of my early high school years I stayed inside playing video games in my dungeon of a bedroom.
Maya (Me), Johannes and Jette
It was not until grade 12 where I rediscovered my love for nature and rekindled my connection to it. I am extremely grateful for my Outdoor Education Program for providing me this and for my friends who were on exchange to Canada. They sparked my inner child’s interest for adventures. One particular moment was with my friend Jette, we decided before the rest of the camp was awake that we would go for a walk around the pond. It took us an hour and I cherished every moment. The two of us heard the loons sing their song and the chatter of small creatures waking up to start their day.
Even in times of misery, I felt connected to nature. Some Outdoor Ed trips were tougher than others, snow caving and solo survivor camping. But with these hardships of having to build your shelter, one may build a sense of connection and appreciation for the earth. I certainly did. I will forever be grateful to have had the opportunity to do a solo camping trip through my Outdoor Education Program. I was placed in a secluded area where it was just myself and nature. I felt like my childhood self once more, I began to listen to the winds and what they had to say. I searched for beautiful flowers to decorate my shelter with and I built a Christmas tree and left gifts underneath for myself (food).
Now in college as a full time student, it can be hard to reconnect with nature with a busy schedule. Additionally with the weather being grey more than half of the time, it can be hard to find the motivation. What I have been doing as of late is opening my window (just a crack) so I can hear the sounds of nature. If I am up for it, I take a walk around my neighborhood and visit the local pond that is only a 5 minute walk away.
If it’s a beautiful day out and the grass is dry, I take off my shoes and walk slowly on the earth, feeling each part of my foot connect with the dirt. I then feel interconnected and I typically feel at peace once more. For cloudy days, I tend to stay indoors and read poetry. Currently my favorite poetry is by Mary Oliver. She frequently writes about her own connection to nature, she writes so elegantly and helps me grow appreciation for the earth. I want to share one of my favorite nature poems with you from her collection “Devotions” called “When I am among the trees”
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
~ Mary Oliver, Devotions 2019, page 123
(22:10)
So cool!!!
Thank You !!!
Hey maya, this all blog of yours is just so cool, girl, really. To have this deep perspective of the world is very hard to achieve, having so many sources of entratainment/distraction just in our pockets. I think that reflecting not only about ourselves and our path, but on how we relate with other human beings and with nature, is something so natural because it happens to us individuals since we are kids, and yet somehow we forget that and we get worked up with useless problems that we create for ourselves. I think it’s so cool how well connected you are with nature and this piece really inspires me to channel you in this. I’m so happy that the solo outdoor ed experience was so good for you. You are a thoughtful, welcoming and kind human being. Meeting you and sharing moments with you, at your house, at school and at the snowshoeing trip was really comforting and fun. Our friendship cought me at a moment where i wasn’t so sure i was making the right choices for my experience, but having you appreciate me and caring for me made me realize it was all going to be ok. And this blog is just a reflection on how much of a good and cute person you are. Love you♡ didn’t mean to go this deep but i was caught off guard…
Hi Marti! I love you and how beautiful your soul is. I had so much fun messing around the school with you and those memories I will always cherish <3 From learning how to cook authentic Italian food to you becoming a "true Canadian" :). I am counting down the days where I am able to come visit you in your home country and for you to share the beauty of your city like I did with mine. You taught me how to have fun and be joyful in times of boredom and every conversation with you is a gift.
Way to go Maya. So proud of you for following your inner child. Nature is such an important part of our lives.
Would love to read how your connection to the earth has influenced and shaped your world view and how it may affect who you are and what you do in the future. Overall, very well written and insightful. Keep writing!
Ooo that is a great idea I will definitely write about that soon! Thank you for the suggestion
Hi Maya, I love your thoughts on connectivity to nature. A walk in the forest or by the seaside is very calming I think. It levels out my mind and clears out the cobwebs! I can return to the hustle and bustle of daily life with a clear refreshed outlook. I like a quote from John Muir, “and into the forest I must go to lose my mind and find my soul”.
I love Mary Oliver’s poem too – it seems the trees are embracing her!