Lessons from the Forest

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Hey Love,
 

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
John Muir
 

I recently spent a long weekend staying in an enchanting treehouse in the Smoky Mountains. I created energy art, read, hiked and soaked in the sights and sounds of nature. It was peaceful, restorative and enlightening. And before you imagine a total off-the-grid experience, yes, there was air conditioning, hot water and wifi, but still an extraordinary adventure!

And because you know I love sharing my life lessons with you, here are some takeaways from my time in the forest: 

  • We are obsessed with productivity. In our society, rest has a stigma. And I’m guilty of feeding into it too. Needing to show something for my day - a full resume of acheivements or crossed-off to-do list - is too often how I derive my self-worth. As I’ve attempted a return to busy-ness as usual, my body is craving some additional time to slow down, and tbh, I’m grappling with feelings of laziness and self-judgment. But the truth is, some of our most amazing transformations come only after periods of slowing down, introspection and integration. 

  • Nature is here to heal us. The more time I spend immersed in the beauty of Mother Earth, the more certain I am of her magical powers. And each landscape I've experienced provides a different medicine - the limitless expanse of an ocean, the cleansing rush of a waterfall, the creative inspiration from the desert hues, the nurturing cocoon of forest bathing. Connecting to the natural world around you will change you, pure and simple.

  • We need so much less than we think (and are being sold). While my family of 4 + pup probably couldn’t live long term in a 300sq ft treehouse, spending time in a small space forces you to be more acutely aware of the difference between a want vs. need. And while the latest eye cream, tech toy or home decor might make us feel good in the moment, it’s worth it to take a deeper dive into why we truly want that thing. When you mindfully factor in all the “purchasing costs” - environmental, financial, time, energy - we would probably think twice before acquiring more.

This treehouse weekend is another amazing experience that I'm so grateful to have manifested this year. Truly the most incredible people, ideas, opportunities are coming in and I'd love to infuse you with some of this next-level energy! Maybe it's an Energy Art portrait or a Energy Boost session or Human Design reading! Let's talk about getting clear, confident and inspired to take action towards your dream life.

 

Also, if you haven't listened to the Open to Alchemy podcast, come check it out! From an Intuituitive Guide to a Dream Life Architect and everything in-between, you will find something to make you smile, think, laugh and feel connected.

To finding your truth in the forest,
Lauren