I lead a busy life in a bustling city. There’s always noise, traffic, people, deadlines, demands… Sometimes I need to get away from that – to escape to the forest where the only noise is the rustling of leaves in the wind, the song of birds, the sounds of nature.
Being surrounded by nature is what revives me, what sustains me. I’ve been in Rotorua for a week and I’ve really been enjoying being able to come to Whakarewarewa Forest to walk through The Redwoods, reconnecting with the earth and calming my mind.
The trees in the forest ground me, they remind me to stand up tall and be proud. They remind me to find the light and keep growing. To be strong, resilient and independent but to find my place amongst others like myself.
Today I will be heading home refreshed, full of ideas and plans. I know what I want to do and how I’m going to do it. We’re heading in to autumn and then winter, which leaves me with plenty of time to hibernate and get creative (let’s be honest, I blog less in summer because I want to be out in the sunshine and so do you). But the most important thing I’ll be doing when I get home is practising balance, because that’s something I don’t do well (and it’s why I was in such desperate need to reconnect with myself).
What sustains you? Is it something you do weekly or monthly? Let me know how you ground yourself (or if this is something your struggle with like I do), I’d love to know – maybe some of your ideas will help me or someone else.
Meagan wears:
Sleeveless Maxi Dress from Yours Clothing (26-28)
Sage Striped Duster Cardi from 17 Sundays (XL)
Sun Jellies Sandals from Two Lippy Ladies (UK6, gifted)
Photos: Ambient Light Photography
Nature definitely helps me get back to balance. This has been a GREAT post for me, well timed and Rotorua is also one of my favourite rejuvenation spots…last time Leon and I were down there it was just after our wedding in 2012 so we’re well overdue. Still haven’t visited the Redwoods so super looking forward to that!
Sounds like you’re in need of a trip back! I’ve got a vlog coming with a wee look at what we got up to on our trip – maybe you’ll find a few more things you want to get up to down there 😉
The beach grounds me, and I hate not having one within a 15 minute drive for me…. I used to go to the beach nearly daily till I moved here. When we retire, it will have to be by the beach thats for sure 🙂
I love the beach. I think if I was in Rotorua my nearby beach would be the Blue Lake – so beautiful out there!
Hi Meagan,
You are looking more pretty with this beautiful Dress.
When I lived in NZ, Caribbean and Australia, it was sailing. Sailing reminds me of how capable my body is and how amazing it is when my mind and body work together to pull out energy and strength that I didnt even know was there. There and here in Nanjing, where we live at the moment, it’s also teaching. I love teaching, whether its teaching English or sailing or corporate training. I love the look on a students face when they get it, when they’re fully engaged in what we’re learning and it’s all sinking in.
And sometimes I need something quieter to reset my racing mind. My blog helps me do that. Any writing does really. I think through my fingers and am quite often surprised at what the words end up saying! I think thats why I have never pursued writing as a profession. Because I need it to be my tool for unwinding.