Living simply as method for real sustain-able living and wellbeing.

Sustainable living can feel overwhelming, so lets zoom in and see how it can look in our day to day lives. Firstly, I feel its important to note that I see sustain-able living as a way of being, rather than something we need 'to do', in-fact the idea that it is something we need 'to do' often stems from a lens that sees us as separate to sustainability or the Earth. The reality is that we are a part of Nature, and what is sustainable for the planet tends to be sustainable for you too -- one simple example of this might be that without healthy Land, there will be no healthy food, making it impossible to survive. The body is in a deep and woven relationship with the Land, it is organic matter just like the soil and thrives from living in deep connection to it. Similarly how we benefit from living more slowly, out in the elements; the more we reconnect and remember these innate, baselines of health and living the more we re-attune and sync with the Earth, ultimately and truly living sustain-ably as our bodies crave and desire (and as the planet needs). Nature's pace breeds optimal wellbeing for our hearts, bodies and minds. Envision a world living at this pace, there would be so much less consumption as well as dis-ease. This is a concept we will journey with through these writings and posts, so take your time in unraveling, dismantling and unlearning our unsustainable, often unhealthy and stress-inducing ways to ones of connection, deep beauty, reverence, respect of all layers of life and more. I can't wait to take you on this journey with me.

When we draw back, refine and simplify our lives become increasingly juicier. The more we still, slow and allow the more presence that can exude from us. From this space we start to recognise all we do have, this breath, a beating heart, the eyes reading these words, the body that ingests it choosing what it will keep and what it will eliminate.

The full spectrum of the beauty of being Alive can only truly be felt from this space. In western culture we have mostly lost this understanding; so often we attempt to fill the voids of modern living with more, this more creates a further underlying numbness that needs to be stimulated by distraction, noise, stronger flavoured foods and substances. We seem to have gained ‘so much’ yet at the heart of it is a lack of real connection, natural beauties, connections and joy.

When we refine back and learn what true abundance is - feeling deeply, expressing our authenticity, feeling connected to ourselves, our communities and the Land we shift how and in what way we show up in the world. Our 'consumption' changes from solely taking, back to an act of relational living and reciprocity, we engage in a beautiful way of living that understands everything is in exchange even our bodies that we briefly inhabit. They too will return to the soil in thanks for a life lived, sustained by the Land and enjoyed.

Simple steps to support this way of living

Many of the ‘norms’ we see in our societies are actually quite harmful to both us (our psyche, our bodies, our minds, spirits and hearts) as well as the Land that provides for us.

We all get overwhelmed and overstimulated by the 'norms' being reproduced and endorsed by modern living, so to start with do not beat yourself up if you recognise some of these traits currently. There's always opportunity for change, for growth and re-adjustment, this is a natural process; a part of life and choosing to continue to learn and un-learn.

Shifting your lens from one of solely 'self' to understanding you are sustained by the whole' from this place allow yourself to integrate with the below tips.

- Meditation is key to slowing the thoughts down, centering and moving from a less erratic space. Meditate every morning for 5-10 minutes and feel your entire life shift, as the lens from which you view it changes. From this place we start to be filled from within and are less likely to look externally for such things, our actions and footprints become more mindful and care-ful.

- Refining back (pouring your resources into the areas you wish to see grow)

Journal or simply contemplate areas that you do more or believe you need more when you probably don't, it may be something as simple as buying more clothes, or trying to be a way that actually doesn't feel authentic to you.. For some, this could mean a job or role change to refine back and allow more space for creativity, connection to self, the things you love doing, study or even the beginning of bringing your work to the world.

Sometimes we need to draw back, to move forward on our path,

- Becoming aware of your values and then making them a priority

This one could be that you truly value your health, in this case you may choose to buy less unnecessary things and focus on growing your own food / buying from your local, organic or biodynamic farmer. I am so often told that the food and herbs I purchase are so ‘expensive’, however I don't really spend money on much else. I buy less, of higher quality (both ethically and in quality). Are you spending money on things that aren't aligned with your ethics and values? Shifting this creates a beautiful feeling of integrity and alignment which breeds a feeling of empowerment and robustness.

- Joy and pleasure emerge from rest, rejuvenation and presence

Pleasure is created through rest, rejuvenation and feeling deeply. When we are connected and allow for space and times of healing, of integrating and of rest we feel an energy of fertility emerge from this space. Just like the Earth we move through cycles and seasons, we can support ourselves by aligning with the Earth's rhythms and also through tuning into the rhythms we are currently experiencing eg if we feel burnt out (late summer/autumn state) allow for deep rest and rejuvenation (winter). Once complete, you will emerge like the green shoots of Spring, with energy revitalised, standing on fertile ground, curious and excited to play and enjoy life again.

- Utilise the wisdom of seasons and cycles to support your growth and bettering as a person of the Earth as an act of reciprocity, the more we connect, heal and develop the more we can create change. Understand that this is our responsibility as people living on the planet at this time, to learn and un-learn back to ways that are cohesive to all of life, not just beneficial to ours.

Take your time, there's no rush in the process. Remember, the systems in which we have been raised in have not had this form of awareness and so, be gentle with yourself as you unlearn, and re-connect to true well being i.e sustain-able living.