1. what's new 2. something to watch 3. this is interesting 4. something to listen to 5. what's next? 6. questions?
Hello Reader
This week I was a bit stressed about a new program launch. Too many decisions. Too many tabs open—mentally and literally. I didn’t need another plan; I needed a reset. So, I went for a quiet walk.
I’ve talked a lot about forest bathing and the physical benefits—lower blood pressure, lower cortisol. That matters. What I don’t say as often is how forest bathing helps when I’m in my head.
What really helps me: the in-between—what’s called a liminal state.
You’re not where you were, and you’re not yet where you’re going. And, when I let myself be in that space without forcing answers, my nervous system settles. My thinking gets clearer. I can choose the next right step instead of trying to control the whole outcome.
Nature and Forest Therapy is designed around this. It’s a structured way to enter that in-between place of liminality, and come back feeling grounded and refreshed. There’s safety in being guided, especially when life is already wobbly. Practicing that on a walk makes it easier to navigate real transitions—career changes, health shifts, family dynamics—without pretending everything is fine.
But, you can also try this unguided, so this week, here's something for you to try:
Take a walk outside for 20 minutes
Move slowly. It’s not about how many steps you get in or getting some ‘cardio’ in..
Notice what’s around you. A leaf shakes, an insect buzzes by - stop to take it in.
No goal beyond noticing.
That’s it. Not a fix-all. Just a reliable way to feel grounded.
I'm offering my next 5-day Reset to Reconnect with Nature & Bring Its Wisdom into Your Daily Life, starting October 18th.
This 5-day reset helps you develop simple, meaningful nature rituals that reduce stress, enhance clarity, and bring balance to your life.
In just 15 minutes a day over 5 days you’ll have the tools you need to practice your own reset, where and when you need it.
It’s mushroom season here, so while you’re outside on a walk, look out for fungi popping up out of the ground. If you live in the city, you may find some growing out of bark mulch in the landscaping of an apartment or on your neighbours' lawn.
I’ve often noticed chunks missing from them, and wondered what type of animal is eating them, until one day I caught a culprit in the act, in slow motion.
Acorns: These wild nuts growing on various species of oak trees were consumed on a daily basis by the Californian natives for hundreds of years. They were also regularly eaten by ancient peoples such as the Assyrians and Greeks, and more recently by the Chinese and Native Americans.
Plentiful, highly productive, easy-to-store, and nutrient-dense, acorns are high in calories, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin C.
But, acorns have tannins, which taste bitter and can be toxic if consumed in large amounts, blocking your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. They are not to be eaten raw, and if you want to know more on how to prepare them, check online for a resource, like this one from Hank Shaw of Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook:
From Earth.fm’s Earth Is the Original Radio podcast, the site’s curator, Melissa Pons has a wide-ranging conversation with sound designer and field recordist Andy Martin.
From involuntary mimicking of the sounds around him as a child, to recording wildlife for computer games, Andy shares his thoughts about deep listening, and questioning the difference from just… listening.
“I don’t feel like nature is somehow healing me – I feel as if my body is remembering what it’s supposed to be like.” Andy Martin
I hope this newsletter offers you another perspective, peaks your curiosity, and, most importantly, reminds you that you are not alone on this life path.
If you have any questions, please reply to this email.
