10 Comments

Brilliant read. 👏🏼

I just shared it on Zucker's Threads app. 😄

Expand full comment

Ah, fantastic, thanks! Being in the EU, I don't have Threads, although I could get it on my UK SIM if I was that bothered (and maybe will at some point, just to share things from here).

Really glad you enjoyed it!

Expand full comment

.. don't bother, it's shite! ..

Expand full comment

I haven't yet! Nor will I, I think. I did open a Bluesky account, thanks to an invite link from someone, but have yet to actually check it out (planning on signposting to Substack anyway!).

I have photos to send you, must get around to it ASAP!

Expand full comment

Very much enjoyed this writing, I found myself nodding at a lot of what you say.

Expand full comment

Thank you! So many of the points in this piece can only come from time spent out in nature, but I think sharing them and encouraging others to try different ways to pick up and assess all that data our many senses can provide, is a useful thing indeed. I love that we can train those senses (or, more appropriately, learn to recognise that data they are always providing, if only we pay attention), it is a hopeful thing.

Expand full comment

It certainly offers hope that we can retrain our senses doesn't it, especially at present with so much out to distract our attention from the here and now, tuning into the information we are presented with is essential not only when out in nature but when in "civilisation". Perhaps more so when out of direct nature contact.

Expand full comment

Absolutely this, yes! I think one of the big reasons I started sharing my AWE series was to show people that being a part of nature did not necessarily have to involve turning our backs on 'civilisation' but, crucially, bringing back those skills we learn and hone in the woods into the places we live, into our everyday lives. Which is a time-honoured tradition, trying to bring back ideas to the masses, demonstrating their importance and use. I think, through doing so, it sort-of mimics the role of the shaman, a gentle guide, rather than someone imposing stricture and their own belief system on others. Of course, saying this is easier than the doing, it's not easy, as I am sure you know, all those distractions everyone is subjected to take some unravelling. I'm nothing if not patient (or, perhaps, stubborn!), however!

Expand full comment

Ooh pics! I'm loving your writing of late. Very poetic.

Expand full comment

Thanks! I had someone else mention the poetic aspect lately, which makes me happy, especially as I can no longer seem to write poetry as I used to, so at least my prose has a poetic aspect, I suppose!

Expand full comment