What has been one of the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 is the isolation period, and the perceived boredom that comes along with it. We aren’t able to go about our daily lives, going to work, school, dance / music / sporting gatherings, even socialising with our friends.
And so here we are, forced to be with ourselves and those also in our isolation space.
But what if we switched up the language of isolation / quarantine to solitude in solidarity?
Sure, being alone can bring up a whole lot of subconscious junk we have previously been distracted enough to ignore. But what if we take this time to clear out our subconscious, the way the earth is clearing through the slowing of industrialisation?
What if we took this time to return to our roots, our natural state of being, the way our ancestors lived?
A large part of the reason we are where we are in this cycle of human existence on earth is due to the exponential rise in disconnection to nature over the last 100 years. With the introduction of consumer convenience and connection through digital means, we as humans have lost our connection with what has, and always will sustain us. Mother Earth.
Through the means of the media and internet, we have unlimited access to whatever information we are willing to find. This has proven to be as much of a benefit, as it has been our emotional downfall. With so much information being shared and spread, fear and confusion is spreading as fast as this virus.
So what can we do to quiet the noise? How can we combat the feeling of disempowerment that has resulted from information overload and collective confusion?
We can relearn what it is that made us human in the first place. Connection to nature, ourselves, and each other. Our solitude in solidarity provides us with the space we need to empower ourselves to grow our own food and work with nature as our true healer.
Imagine what life will be like when we emerge from this chrysalis. People will have established edible gardens, rediscovered their creative selves to facilitate their own expression and therefore healing, connected with loved ones through story, experience, and challenge, and relearnt what is essential for a content existence. Mindless consumerism will be dramatically reduced, and the earth will be able to breathe a long and deep sigh of relief.
Here are some things we can do at home to reconnect to nature, ourselves, and each other through this challenging and uncertain times:
1. Get grounded! Sit in nature, close your eyes. Tune into your senses. Scan your body for sensations, identify 5 sounds (or more), open your eyes and looks for 5 different colours (or more), differentiate scents, tune into taste. Taking this time to tune in with your body, will amplify your awareness, and quieten internal noise providing clarity and peace. https://scottjeffrey.com/grounding-techniques/
2. Grow your own food: Regrow fruits and vegetables from scraps, Plant seeds https://www.ruralsprout.com/regrow-vegetables/?fbclid=IwAR2k_fW6CX8bV44fKXVP_XSwR6zRVsesEAC2nVRhkUlr3gIk5CNQB7HLdGE
3. Learn about edible weeds, their benefits, and how to identify and test them : The Herbal Alchemist’s – Foraging the Streets (Wild Edibles guide by Bianca Markovic @_theherbalalchemist)
4. Learn about the healing power of herbs and plants https://wellnessmama.com/26604/herbal-poultice/
5. Try new recipes: https://returntonow.net/2018/05/22/10-delicious-invasive-plant-species/?fbclid=IwAR1_4h4Z2VG_jVoeIuzL6ArP7EWWmWRxnYlbEn06ZYpYDnO5IsA40eteJko
6. Create a nature mandala with items found in your garden https://www.pinterest.com.au/mcsoda21/mandalas-in-nature/
During this time of uncertainty and disempowerment, we have the opportunity to remember our true nature as healers and carers of this land. We have the opportunity to return to a state of clarity and empowerment. Let’s use the opportunity wisely.
Wishing you all strength, courage, clarity, and connection
Felicity