My Relationship with Nature
My relationship with nature has always been an intrinsic part of who I am, beginning from a young age when I felt an undeniable gravitational pull towards the outdoors. As a child, I was constantly outside, exploring whatever natural spaces I lived near to (I moved around a lot, so there were constantly new places to uncover). The natural world offered me a sense of belonging and peace that was unmatched by anything else in my life. This relationship was not something I consciously cultivated; rather, it was a deep, intuitive connection, as if nature was a part of me, and I was part of it.Ā
As I grew older, like many people, I went through a phase of forgetting that connection. Society's demands, the pressures of school, and the distractions of adolescence pushed me further away from nature. I moved into more structured environments, where nature became something "out there," rather than something that was integrated into my everyday life. However, even during these years, I could feel a quiet yearning inside me - a longing to return to that familiar sense of peace and belonging that nature had always given me. This phase of forgetting was, in hindsight, a necessary part of my journey.Ā
As I matured, I began to experience what I would call a "remembering." It's almost as if there is an ancestral knowledge within me that calls me back to the natural world, to the rhythms of the land, and to the interconnectedness that my ancestors once lived in harmony with. This reconnection was not something I could force or even plan; it was something that unfolded naturally as I sought deeper meaning in my life. I realized that my ancestors, as well as many cultures throughout history, were far more interconnected with nature than modern society often acknowledges. They relied on the landscape not just for resources like food, medicine, and materials, but as a living, breathing partner in their survival and well-being. This was not an abstract concept to me; it was something I felt deeply in my bones.Ā
One of the pivotal steps in this journey of remembering was when I became a Herbalist. Studying plants and learning their names was not just an academic pursuit for me - it was an act of rekindling my relationship with the world around me. By learning the language of plants, I was able to move beyond seeing a "wall of green" to truly understanding the personalities and roles of each plant in the ecosystem. This understanding, combined with an increasing awareness of the ways in which humans have historically interacted with the land, helped me see the natural world as a community of beings - each with its own wisdom and contributions to offer.Ā
Today, I am fortunate enough to live on a homestead with my Australian Shepherd, Winnie, and continue my connection with nature every day. The homestead allows me to integrate my values and relationship with nature into my daily life, tending to the land, growing food, and learning more about the seasons and cycles around me. Living in this way brings me a sense of peace and fulfillment that is hard to put into words.Ā
Professionally, I now work as an Environmental Educator with my local Conservation Authority, where I have the privilege of helping others reconnect with nature. Teaching children and adults about the importance of ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation has only deepened my own relationship with the natural world. I am constantly reminded that our connection with nature is not something we have to "find" - it is an inherent part of who we are. Sometimes, it just takes a little guidance or a spark of inspiration to help others remember.Ā
Ultimately, I believe we all have a close relationship with nature as children. However, as we grow older and are pulled into the complexities of modern life, we often forget that connection. My own journey of remembering, which led me to become a Herbalist and an Environmental Educator, has shown me that we are all capable of rekindling this ancient bond with the world around us. Nature, as a constant, nurturing presence, has the ability to offer us a profound sense of place and belonging - if only we are open to it.Ā
The sense of place that I feel so deeply within me was not necessarily given to me by a single person, but rather, it is rooted in the collective history of humankind and our long-standing relationship with the natural world. This connection is ancient - woven into the fabric of our very being. From the earliest human societies, people lived in close harmony with the land, relying on the environment for sustenance, shelter, and medicine. This deep, ancestral bond with nature was passed down through generations, encoded in our biology, culture, and consciousness. While I cannot point to a specific individual who "offered" me this sense of place, I feel that the yearning to return to nature is a part of who we all are - a collective memory of our speciesā connection to the earth. It is this shared history that calls to me, urging me to remember and reconnect with the rhythms of the land, the cycles of growth and decay, and the wisdom embedded in the natural world. In this way, the sense of place I feel is not just personal, but a rediscovery of something universal, an innate calling that has always been there, waiting to be reawakened.Ā