We went to wedding a few days ago. Travelled all the way from Orkney to Wirral in our old campervan. On the day of the wedding me and my kids getting prepared with the bride, all the hair, make up etc. and I dont think I ever felt more out of place than on that day. The way I look, the conversations, the way of life so different to the city people. I dont think I could find myself in a city again. So pleased to be back on the road and wild camp in woods instead of staying in a hotels.
Oh I understand this too well. There’s a kind of one way travel that happens when we leave a city life or an urban life behind. All the noise and stimulation we mostly block out and it’s just there around us and we’ve normalised it so much it’s not consciously affecting us but yet we are still affected by it. And then to go to some quiet corner where you can breathe and think and just be present with silence. It’s so very hard to go back from that once you’ve embraced it. I lived in London, I lived in LA, among others and now I can’t imagine doing that. The ‘slowth’ we experience, as I call it, that slow living envelopes us and won’t let go.
Perfectly expressed, thank you! I feel all of this. It’s so easy to feel the slightly less real experience virtually. Some people don’t know the difference as they’ve never felt the real thing. When you have, you can’t go back. It grips you differently ❤️
It is a rare thing to actually being embraced by the world around you. But there are still places that do just that. Like a blanket that shelters from the race everyone seems to be taking part in. And in those moments you hear only your voice, your thoughts unencumbered by things to check,things to do, things to share. Thanks for this beautiful reminder
Totally get what you're saying about the difference between being in nature and BEING in nature. I search out those times when and wherever possible but the best has been when I've been in Iceland. One memorable time was when I was on a whale watching trip. It was a very cold, windy day; the boat had the main deck with some shelter and then there was a totally exposed upper deck. On the way back, everyone went to the main deck for hot chocolate and to get out of the weather a bit - except me. I stood on the upper deck in the cold wind the whole way back and drinking in the totally wild scenery with the cold half freezing my face, but all I felt was exhilaration and one of the deepest senses of gratitude I've ever felt.
"We all desperately need a greater and prolonged reconnection with nature before technology swallows up out human-ness altogether" -- couldn't agree more, Steven. I just watched a series about an Australian couple who are investing their life savings into an old manor on the Isle of Ulva, and I can see the allure of a life in that area, lived closer to the land and more slowly than most of us are now accustomed to. It's not an easy life by any means, but it does seem more... real.
Wow that sounds like they really went for it. I think for most of us, even just a commitment to spend more time outdoors and less time screen watching can do wonders for our health. I read somewhere that an hour spent in a forest, being present, creates more endorphins and good chemicals than a week of exercise. Something to think about
I was just sharing this exact same information with a new client yesterday. Joy and specifically the joy of being present, holds way more value than seeking ways to "be healthy"! So, this must make you one of the healthiest people on earth 😅
Hi! I can totally relate! I live in Italy, which is a universally known great place, but I used to live near Milan, chaotic, noisy, grey... And I decided to quit and now I live in a big house full of music and books and cats, on the hills... Gardening and enjoying living in tune with nature. Good homegrown food, people are more outgoing and smiling and my life has changed drastically for the better! Thanks for your words. All the best. Sara
Exactly this. Mull is my favourite place, and silence there is like nowhere else I have found. Every work deeply resonates and that’s why I am here every year. There’s nothing like this peace, being present with what’s the most natural to us, and this is something I cling on to and simply can not live without. You took the words right out of my mouth ❤️
Such an excellent read. Loved this! 🌟❤️ Life is way too busy now and very, very overwhelming. The constant demands on our attention means time and of course our lives are slipping by without us being part of them. YES to slowing down, a good dose of boredom and that all important appreciation of the small, real stuff. Here’s to living.
I couldn't agree more. The human world gets faster and crazier, but out in nature time still bides its time. I did a long hike yesterday and you know what? The trees didn't care about the latest AI tool, nor did the birds care about the latest political debacle. Neither did I, while I was out there.
We went to wedding a few days ago. Travelled all the way from Orkney to Wirral in our old campervan. On the day of the wedding me and my kids getting prepared with the bride, all the hair, make up etc. and I dont think I ever felt more out of place than on that day. The way I look, the conversations, the way of life so different to the city people. I dont think I could find myself in a city again. So pleased to be back on the road and wild camp in woods instead of staying in a hotels.
Oh I understand this too well. There’s a kind of one way travel that happens when we leave a city life or an urban life behind. All the noise and stimulation we mostly block out and it’s just there around us and we’ve normalised it so much it’s not consciously affecting us but yet we are still affected by it. And then to go to some quiet corner where you can breathe and think and just be present with silence. It’s so very hard to go back from that once you’ve embraced it. I lived in London, I lived in LA, among others and now I can’t imagine doing that. The ‘slowth’ we experience, as I call it, that slow living envelopes us and won’t let go.
Perfectly expressed, thank you! I feel all of this. It’s so easy to feel the slightly less real experience virtually. Some people don’t know the difference as they’ve never felt the real thing. When you have, you can’t go back. It grips you differently ❤️
It does grip you differently. And to not ever have that or to not seek that out, I feel that’s so detrimental to our own natures.
So good to be back after a wee break reading this article Steve.
Yummy.
I will repost it with my own thoughts, if you allow me 😉
It is a rare thing to actually being embraced by the world around you. But there are still places that do just that. Like a blanket that shelters from the race everyone seems to be taking part in. And in those moments you hear only your voice, your thoughts unencumbered by things to check,things to do, things to share. Thanks for this beautiful reminder
Totally get what you're saying about the difference between being in nature and BEING in nature. I search out those times when and wherever possible but the best has been when I've been in Iceland. One memorable time was when I was on a whale watching trip. It was a very cold, windy day; the boat had the main deck with some shelter and then there was a totally exposed upper deck. On the way back, everyone went to the main deck for hot chocolate and to get out of the weather a bit - except me. I stood on the upper deck in the cold wind the whole way back and drinking in the totally wild scenery with the cold half freezing my face, but all I felt was exhilaration and one of the deepest senses of gratitude I've ever felt.
That's just one of many special moments there.
"We all desperately need a greater and prolonged reconnection with nature before technology swallows up out human-ness altogether" -- couldn't agree more, Steven. I just watched a series about an Australian couple who are investing their life savings into an old manor on the Isle of Ulva, and I can see the allure of a life in that area, lived closer to the land and more slowly than most of us are now accustomed to. It's not an easy life by any means, but it does seem more... real.
Wow that sounds like they really went for it. I think for most of us, even just a commitment to spend more time outdoors and less time screen watching can do wonders for our health. I read somewhere that an hour spent in a forest, being present, creates more endorphins and good chemicals than a week of exercise. Something to think about
I was just sharing this exact same information with a new client yesterday. Joy and specifically the joy of being present, holds way more value than seeking ways to "be healthy"! So, this must make you one of the healthiest people on earth 😅
Hi! I can totally relate! I live in Italy, which is a universally known great place, but I used to live near Milan, chaotic, noisy, grey... And I decided to quit and now I live in a big house full of music and books and cats, on the hills... Gardening and enjoying living in tune with nature. Good homegrown food, people are more outgoing and smiling and my life has changed drastically for the better! Thanks for your words. All the best. Sara
Exactly this. Mull is my favourite place, and silence there is like nowhere else I have found. Every work deeply resonates and that’s why I am here every year. There’s nothing like this peace, being present with what’s the most natural to us, and this is something I cling on to and simply can not live without. You took the words right out of my mouth ❤️
Love that! 😁
Such an excellent read. Loved this! 🌟❤️ Life is way too busy now and very, very overwhelming. The constant demands on our attention means time and of course our lives are slipping by without us being part of them. YES to slowing down, a good dose of boredom and that all important appreciation of the small, real stuff. Here’s to living.
More of the same please 😊
Thanks so much Patricia. Knowing all that is half the battle I think. Here’s to living.👏🏼🙂
I couldn't agree more. The human world gets faster and crazier, but out in nature time still bides its time. I did a long hike yesterday and you know what? The trees didn't care about the latest AI tool, nor did the birds care about the latest political debacle. Neither did I, while I was out there.