Reflections on a Simple Past | 13. Where the Sky Stretches Wide
The escape I seek outdoors isn’t simply about leaving behind my life, but about returning to a deeper sense of self and home. It was a feeling there in childhood, and now it's rekindled as an adult.
Welcome to Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge. If you find the fleeting changes of modern life wearisome, maybe even overwhelming, join me on a journey, a path well-trodden, as I share heartfelt and often nostalgic reflections on living slowly, simply, and in tune with the seasons.
In this series, I look back at some of the people, places and things which have so richly influenced and inspired my love of all things simple.
All the photos in this post were taken by me, ages 7-10.
Some of my most abiding childhood memories are woven into the landscapes of the outdoors. Whether it was playing in the back garden, wandering through nearby fields, walking along the local canals and rivers, or venturing further afield for days out and holidays to places of breathtaking beauty, the natural world was always there, quietly shaping my sense of wonder, adventure, and belonging. Like most of us, it wasn’t something I thought much about as a child; being outside was simply a part of my life. The freedom to run, to explore, to lose myself in the natural world was a given. It was only later, in adulthood, that I truly recognised the touching depth of those pivotal experiences, so often centred on time and place.
As I grew older, my relationship with the outdoors became something even more profound. In some of life’s most difficult seasons, when the weight of the world pressed down and the black dog visited with a lamentable frequency, it was the natural world that offered solace. Whether it was the vastness of the sky, the gentle rhythm of the water, or simply the steadfast presence of ancient trees, all these things grounded me. It was on that foundation that I was able to grow. Nature has been and remains an anchor; a place where I can breathe deeply and find clarity amidst the hustle and bustle of life. At the same time, it also became an escape, a refuge when I needed space, quiet, and the freedom to simply be. Perhaps on your journey, you have found the same?
At first glance, grounding and escape might seem like polar opposites. We often think of escape as running away from something, a way of avoiding the reality of day-to-day life. After all, our escapism is nurtured by the media, where we are encouraged to Escape to the Country and find A New Life in the Sun. But I’ve come to realise that in nature, I am not running away, but wandering gently home. The escape I seek in the great outdoors isn’t about leaving behind my life, but about returning to something more fundamental. A deeper truth, and a deeper sense of self. Perhaps, in the simplicity of the life-giving earth below, we are reminded of who we really are.
There is something profoundly humbling about being outside, about standing beneath an endless sky, and realising how small we are. And yet, rather than making me feel insignificant, nature does the opposite: it reminds me that I belong, that I have a home, and that when the time is right, it calls me back. The turning of the seasons, the ebb and flow of the undulating tides, the cycle of life and renewal continues, just as it has for thousands of years. I am part of that story and so are you. Nature connects us not just to the present moment, but to all the moments that have led us here, to this place in this time.
Over the years, I have come to accept that my need for the outdoors is non-negotiable. It is essential. I’ve written about this before. It was there in childhood, and it is rekindled there now as an adult. Even in the seasons when I have strayed from it, caught up in the demands of life, it has never left me. It is a quiet calling, pulling me back to something deeper and richer, something which nurtures and nourishes body, mind and soul.
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I sometimes wonder if the reason so many of us feel disconnected or restless in the modern world is because we have lost this relationship with the land, the sky and the water. In some ways this is nothing new. Imagine how our ancestors felt as trade and industry expanded in the Industrial Revolution. But deep down, we are creatures of the earth. We were made to walk on the soil, to feel the warmth of the sun on our faces, and to listen to the birdsong which cheers us on our way.
For those of us seeking a slower, simpler life, a life that feels rich in meaning, perhaps the answer isn’t so complicated after all. Perhaps it’s found in our rekindling of this connection with nature, in stepping outside more often, in paying attention to the way the world changes with the seasons. Maybe it’s about remembering that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves, something ancient, maybe even sacred.
I know that my own journey with the outdoors is ongoing. There are days when I long for more, more time outside, more space to breathe, more freedom to simply exist without the pressures of modern life. I dream of wide open landscapes, of a place to build a simple shelter and live in deeper connection with the land. I’m sure many of you do too.
As I take each step forward on life’s journey, I become evermore convinced, that when we find our true home in nature, we find ourselves.
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Beautiful, thank you!! 🌿 I'm currently on a journey to connect with nature again after having lost this connection almost completely during my adult years (university, work, always busy, the usual ...). When I grew up, I was always outside, always a part of nature as nature was a part of me - without really noticing it. It was normal, my life - and I only realised a few years ago what I had lost (and that I was a little lost, too). Luckily, nature is always there and welcoming. It's so good to be back and feel this connection again!
I love how you've incorporated nature images (taken by you!) from the past and merged them with your current reflections. Last year we started offering (re)workshops: (re)connecting to the land, (re)awakening your senses, (re)wilding your spirit, (re)newing your sense of gratitude for living on Earth - and I'm pleasantly surprised at the synchronicity of your post. Thank you for writing this article!