Be like Nature

Moments of rest to reset.

Nowadays there's a huge expectation to be busy, be productive, hustle, grind and graft.

To always be doing, making, creating, producing. Like we are machines, always on the go constantly.

I'd argue we need to be more like nature, nature doesn't constantly put stuff out, it has seasons of energy being expended and seasons of rest, even in the seasons that may be considered busy like spring when everything is bursting forth with new growth there are lulls where the buds are waiting before unfurling equally in winter when we might think nature is resting it's building it's gathering itself to begin anew.

Nature always finds moments to rest and pause even when busy. We can all benefit from taking this lesson to heart.

Whilst we think that hustle mentality and constantly working will bring us rest in the future, what will actually happen is we'll burn out, like a bundle of cat tail seed head when a spark hits it, consuming itself in a short bright flare.

Instead we need to pause, to allow the rest to refresh us with more energy, like a king Alfred's cake smouldering and building more heat by not rushing. By taking those moments pause and rest we let ourselves gather ourselves.

Taking these moments will refresh us, they'll offer times to be not do. These moments will empower, enliven and enrich us, to allow us time to focus on the important things that we can and should do rather than be another cog in the machine.

There are seven types of rest that have been identified and I believe time in nature can offer all of them.

Physical rest.

Mental rest.

Emotional rest.

Sensory rest.

Creative rest.

Social rest.

Spiritual rest.

Following this article I'll be writing on each of types of rest, sharing how I believe nature reconnection can enable and support all seven types.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights, and hope they will bring further conversation and practices.