Lessons from the Forest

The Lost Sierras
© Hest Creative

Last week, I embarked on a new endeavor to integrate nature into my coaching practice. The result? A newfound source of creativity, transformation, and learning. Here are some key takeaways from stepping outside and into the woods:

Nature isn't for everyone. 

Each of us experiences nature differently. For some, we find solitude and tranquility; for others, the quietness of the outdoors can feel suffocating. One participant in my Nature Coaching workshop shared, to my surprise, when I asked, "What's your relationship with nature?" that she didn't, infact, like nature. I was leading a workshop focused on connecting with nature, and these words came tumbling out. While these words initially surprised me, they were a powerful revelation for her. When it came down to it, she was ready to shift from living in the woods to embracing the big city. What nature was telling her was that she needed human and intellectual stimulation. Nature was a reminder that her life was out of balance. While nature can't always comfort us, it can direct us toward what we deeply need. That need will look different for all of us and change throughout our lives.

Go with the flow.

I'm a chronic over-preparer. I plan, outline, prep, fine-tune, rework, and systematize. While sometimes these behaviors are burdensome, I have realized that they are all a dress rehearsal for what's to come - living in the moment so I can be receptive and responsive. I have learned this is my coping mechanism to help me feel safe and secure when I can't control the situation (and let's face it, that is all the time). My coach urged me to "let go" when prepping for my workshop, to throw my plans out, and just be a coach. Well, I took that wisdom and created a "revised" outline, but true to my nature, once I was in nature, I went with the flow, pulling from elements of my planning without attachment or constriction. What can you do next time you are over-preparing for a presentation, meeting, or workshop to "loosen the reins"? Can you be in rhythm with others and the environment more than "in control"? Nature is a shining example of this fluidity that works effortlessly to work in harmony but with tremendous resiliency and determination. 

We all need to slow down and savor. 

Next time you are outdoors, remove your headphones and silence your phone. Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Take a sip of water and notice all the sensations you experience in your mouth and throat as you swallow. We are all moving too fast; we don't have time to regulate our bodies, fully use our senses, and adapt to change. Nature and humans were designed to move slowly; nature, after all, operates on a far different timeline than we do. Our ability to regular stress and anxiety faces a full frontal attack daily, and we can never truly shift down; we only learn to add more. When you feel trapped or anxious, sit in a park and listen to the world around you. What is it like to "be" rather than "be in action"? Nature can give us a new perspective and help us slow down and fully take in the world around us.

We all need community, but our need for community evolves.

I recently learned that Aspen trees share a common root structure across clusters of trees due to their long lateral roots. This shared resource supports their collective livelihood, not just one tree. We as humans need to think more like the Aspen trees. We are all connected and need each other's support. Expressing this need can be challenging, but saying, "I need community," can be transformative. This need for connection was a mutual expression amongst workshop participants, but what also came up was the understanding that our need for community evolves with us. Those who supported you once may not be the support you need now. So take a moment to analyze your need for connection today, and find inspiration from the trees around you.

Aspen in Fall in Reno, NV
© Hest Creative

Nature Workshop in Reno, NV
© Hest Creative

Just say yes!

How often do you embrace spontaneity and play? When I was leading my workshop at the park, the park slowly came to life around us, with kids of all ages playing, jumping, and running circles around us, splashing in the creek, and climbing up trees. Instead of seeing this as a disruptor to my serenity and the zen of my participants, I saw the energy as an invitation to say yes to the childhood mindset of play. Additionally, a common thread of "just say yes" emerged when I asked my participants why they attended my Nature Coaching workshop. Next time an opportunity presents itself to be spontaneous or to engage in play, say yes and see where it leads. 

“Nature is a fascinating teacher with so many lessons to share.”

— Hannah Waen

We all crave purpose; how purposeful is your life?

Post-pandemic, we are still picking up the pieces of our previous lives and recalibrating our priorities and work. Our collective awakening of existential mortality has spotlighted what is most important and how short our lives can be. But as we look at the trees, with their broken and gnarly branches, we see growth is possible even after (or during) hardship. Now that the pandemic is mostly behind us, what needles do you have to shed? By this, I mean, what are you still holding onto from either your pre-pandemic life (or your pandemic life) that is holding you back from fully owning and realizing your potential and purpose? Letting go and ending things is not a negative reflection of you but a sign of growing wiser. Completing engagements and stepping into change allows for transformation and new growth. Think of how fires come back to life after wildfire or drought with great vigor. We all need to continue cultivating a purposeful life; sometimes, that means letting go so we can move forward.

Silence is powerful.

When was the last time you truly listened without an agenda? When we listen (really listen), we hear more and gain more from our senses. Silence, when not engaged with frequently, often can seem uncomfortable at first. Especially with wireless headphones and cell phones in our pockets, we often fill every moment of our day with noise pollution. Even if that noise nurtures our creative or emotional spirit, silence can be transformative. What can you hear when you silence your mind and reduce distractions? What is your inner voice saying, however uncomfortable it may be to listen? Like John Muir and Ralph Waldo Emerson, listening fully can provide true insight. So next time you have a moment alone, unplug and fully listen.

Winter in Tahoe
© Hest Creative

You have full permission to relaunch!

Nature follows a seasonal pattern, a cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth. Why shouldn't we take time to reinvent ourselves similarly each year? This transformation period doesn't mean uprooting our lives completely, but it does mean allowing change to happen through pruning, regrounding, and refocusing. As a society, we should celebrate this reinvention just as much as we celebrate the changing seasons. The more comfortable we become with continuous change, the more agile and resilient we can be. Nature teaches us that starting over is just part of the growth cycle and isn't a reflection of failure. Starting over is courageous and inspirational.

Connect with Nature

Nature is a fascinating teacher with so many lessons to share. As I incorporate more nature into my coaching, I will continue to consider its wisdom. If you take one message away from this list, I hope it's to start observing your connection to nature more intentionally. We all must learn to find our roots before we can rise fully. 

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