Having read the (incredibly tempting) title of this article, I bet you’re asking yourself whether such a concept exists anymore. Being at one with Nature? What does that even mean? Is it that you’re so in-sync with the world around you that you can predict the next tropical storm in the Bahamas?
Possibly. But I’m here to describe a slightly less dramatic method of connecting with your surroundings – all of which I’ve tried and tested over the summer to bring you the crème de la crème.
Step 1: Go somewhere beautiful.
‘Beautiful’ can mean hugely different things to all of us. The sea, the forest, the Cliffs of Dover, Disneyland… anywhere worth your time. Now, I know it may be terrifying to leave your familiar and comfortable room after so many lockdowns, but I believe in you and so does Mother Nature.
Step 2: Throw anything remotely connected to the internet into the abyss*
Considering you followed step one, this shouldn’t be too difficult as it is usually understood that beautiful places tend to be remote, and remote places tend to not be covered by your favourite 5G provider. Thus, rendering all and any devices useless. And, since you’re somewhere close to the elements, there’s bound to either be a stream that you can drop your phone in, or a mountain edge which’ll gladly take your iPad.
Step 3: Channel the inner monk in you and just exist in the space you’ve found yourself in (now that you have followed steps one and two).
And now, the main event (as says Odeon)! It is at these times when we often just take a photo and leave, never really appreciating the atmosphere of the region we are lucky enough to exist in. But if you think about it, a photo is only a visual aide to trigger your memories of an event, be that your first day at school, or the most embarrassing moment of your entire life that haunts you every night before you go to sleep. But it doesn’t reflect the sounds, the temperatures, the tastes or the smells. A photo of a waterfall will not be the same as feeling cold water splashing your face every so often.
Therefore, it’s worth taking a breather in that beautiful place you’ve found. Sit down and touch the grass. When was the last time you touched grass on purpose? If passers-by aren’t giving you strange looks, then you’re not dedicated enough! Listen to the sound of the wind, if it helps sing some songs from Pocahontas, ‘Colours of the Wind’ is always a good one to start with. Engage all your senses. They’re probably a little rusty after being so limited over the last year or so.
Step 4: Whip out your disposable camera (that you spent way too much money on) and capture a candid photo.
Even if you have to meticulously stage a moment, where the wind is gently lifting your hair in the most aesthetic of ways to get a good photo, that’s okay. You won’t even know if you’ve taken it properly before it’s developed, by which time it’ll be too late. That’s the beauty of it – you never really know what you’re going to get…
Step 5: Get back to civilisation and write an article about your experience, inspiring others to follow your footsteps into the wilderness.
After processing the ethereality of the moment you have just experienced, and obviously reaching enlightenment during it, you will probably want to share that feeling with the masses. I guarantee, it’ll be *that* lifechanging. If no magazines will readily offer you an article slot, don’t fret. Simply write it down in a journal, seeing as your notes app will be temporarily inaccessible due to throwing your phone into the abyss (see Step 2). The effect will still be the same.
*DISCLAIMER – the writer accepts no responsibility if your insurance company does not cover this.
