Autumn does not automatically teach us anything

A yellow and red leaf, back lit by the sun

Something drove me to my laptop today, after a long period of not feeling inspired to write. That something was this: 

Autumn does not mean that you should learn the art of acceptance and letting go, just because trees don’t cling to their leaves. You are not a tree and this might not be the right lesson for you at the moment.

The vivid transformation of autumn does not automatically teach us to embrace change as part of a cycle of renewal. You might actually need a very firm ending to something.

Slowing down and turning inward is not inevitable just because the days are shorter. Maybe, this year, you are full of spring-like energy and vitality, feeling ready for new possibilities?  

Keeping a “harvest gratitude list” might help you take stock of what you’ve grown or achieved. But if you are internally raging at the injustice in the world and struggling to focus, because the world is on fire, then you might need to use that anger to fuel some positive action. Frankly, gratitude might be a lot further down your list.  

I’m not saying that any of these things are wrong. I just get frustrated when they are presented as simple solutions to complex problems. This misses the whole point of nature connection practice. 

Which is about developing your own private and personal relationship with nature.  Like any other relationship this takes time and patience. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as someone telling you what to notice and how to feel about it.

Take the time to notice what you notice. What are you drawn to when you are out in nature? Notice the details. Describe how it looks, feels, smells, sounds. How does that description relate to the sensations in your body? Does it reveal anything about what you are going through at the moment?

Does that glint of red on a bramble leaf, connect with a spark of happiness inside you? Or does it feel more like a sharp scrape in your belly? Breathe through it, don’t rush to fix it down with an explanation.

A person on a path in autumn woodland

Does the softness of a feather, almost imperceptible on the back of your hand, make you want to share the gentlest touch with a loved one? How does that feel?

Perhaps the blackening sky feels like a dark cave where you can hide and rest. You realise for the first time today that you are actually bone tired. We can find our own meaning if we just tune into the sensations in our body as we notice our surroundings.

When I started this work, no-one had heard of Nature Connection Practice. Now, I no longer need to explain. It is generally accepted that meditative time in nature is good for you. I am thrilled that this practice is becoming normalised. But I don’t always feel part of the chorus of voices in the media declaring the benefits.

So my challenge for you is to go and have your own conversation with nature. I will not urge you to kick autumn leaves or admire cobwebs in the mist.  

Forge your own relationship, through curiosity, friendship and careful listening with all your senses. You might even have some difficult conversations, but that’s a topic for another time.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. x