Ever since I was a little girl my family, and I have been lucky enough to spend lots of time in nature. I enjoy nothing more than being outdoors.
A big part of my neurodivergent experience is feeling overwhelmed and anxious but when I am rooted in nature feel myself returning to me again. Those moments allow me some space to quietly reflect on the world around me - and process it in my own quirky way!
When COVID hit, like millions of other students across the world my bedroom became my classroom. I took full advantage of being allowed out for a daily walk. Nature became my solace, the thought of it being destroyed at our hands really upset me... It still does.
Every report on the news of some climate disaster hit me hard ... I suppose I've always felt things a bit deeper than others. And in those moments I take myself out for a walk, often for a few hours, and just let my thoughts melt away in the wind. And just be.
In these times, I think we all find it increasingly difficult to do that, in the absence of any distractions. Being alone with your thoughts can be an uncomfortable experience, but who you really are is revealed in those moments. Nature is a lot like life in many ways - wild, sometimes chaotic, and wonderful. We are nature, and we should embrace that.
Each time I head out I like to take photographs of anything I find interesting or imperfectly perfect. I always discover something that brings me joy. I find nature really fascinating, the changes that a new day brings. I love to just quietly marvel at nature doing its thing. I encourage you to do the same.
We have to protect and cherish our beautiful planet.