Rewild & Slow
Day 5: Magdalena Kaminska
I grew up with a forest behind my fence; I come from nature. And it was not a human made forest, it was a primeval woodland called Knyszyn Forest in the Polish region of Podlasie - an area of outstanding natural beauty. Undisturbed by urbanisation, it is a home for wildlife and people who love peace and quiet.
For a very long time I did not realise that it is uncommon to have the woods on your doorstep and when I moved to the UK (Manchester first), I realised how much I missed this easy access to the woodland paths, and how much I had grown used to birdsong and tree crowns whispering above me.
I felt lost without the greenery around me. Concrete jungles depressed me and for some time I did not know what was wrong with me. It was after a trip to Peak District that I realised how much I missed nature. Finally felt like I am myself again and ever since, I do not go a week without any sort of a nature walk. Now living in Edinburgh, access to nature is easier, which also helps with my inspiration and wellbeing.
When in nature, inspiration comes so quickly. I start to see details more clearly and often get down on my knees to photograph a tiny little fern or a bug. I completely lose track of time and I can be there for hours, constantly looking around and just breathing in the fresh air. It makes me a completely different person - or should I say, it is only then when I come back to myself fully.
Because I always had easy access to nature, I never even realised I HAD to connect with it. I was always connected and it was only when left my hometown that I realised how lost I felt without my woods . I even named my company ‘Into the Woods’, as the woods truly bring my energy back. My favourite types of sessions are with couples somewhere wild, only me and them and the rustle of the wind in the forest crowns. There is some sort of magic in the forest and to find it, you must march on, until your feet ache and you completely lose track of time.
I believe people have not managed to adapt to the new, fast way of life and this is one of the reasons why they often feel miserable and depressed.
I do not believe a person can be happy without being exposed to nature from time to time.
To connect with and feel more a part of nature, I would say reduce your carbon footprint (by eating more green and less processed food and reducing plastic) and slow down the rat race in order to rewild and reconnect.
Or find the closest green spot in your town or city. Just go out, breathe in and listen to natural sounds. It’s all a natural meditation your body needs in order to heal.
And as we all know that a healthy spirit is a healthy body!
