My Full Story: A Journey of Reconnection and Belonging

 

As a child, I was deeply connected to the natural world in ways that defined my early essence. I'd rush home from school, changing quickly to immerse myself in the outdoors, feeling most alive and free among the trees. My world was magical and deeply intuitive - I spoke with trees, the moon, and other beings, cultivating a sense of wonder that went far beyond conventional childhood experiences.

 

This innate connection began to shift as I progressed through my school years. The pressures of academic achievement gradually replaced my natural sense of freedom. I learned to believe that my worth was tied to my accomplishments, carefully moulding myself to meet external expectations. I became the quintessential "good girl" - studying hard, seeking approval, and gradually disconnecting from my true self.

 

My sensitivity became both a gift and a challenge. Always a deep feeler and thinker, I felt different - even within my own family. Instead of embracing my unique perception, I developed a survival strategy of observing others, sensing what was needed, and adapting myself to fit in. This pattern of people-pleasing and perfectionism continued through my education and into my professional life, taking me further and further from my authentic self.

 

The disconnection became most profound in my professional years. Although nature remained important to me, my relationship with it became transactional rather than reciprocal. I used nature as an escape, a temporary relief from stress, but was so disconnected from myself that I couldn't truly find the peace I sought.

 

My true journey of reconnection began in 2011 with a powerful wake-up call. Severe burnout led to me being bedbound with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Unable to maintain my previous patterns of constant doing, I was forced into a profound stillness. This became my gateway to rediscovery - learning to listen to my body's intelligence, embracing my emotions, and allowing myself to be vulnerable and supported.

 

A tragic loss at the end of 2017 became the catalyst for my deepest awakening. Grief cracked my heart open, taking me to the depths of my being. In the darkness of my shadows, I discovered something remarkable: everything I had been seeking already existed within me. I rediscovered my innate wholeness - a revelation after a lifetime of believing I was not enough.

 

The most transformative aspect of this journey was my deepening connection with nature. A profound encounter with a silver birch in October 2018 became a turning point, reconnecting me with a wisdom that now guides my daily life and work. Nature reawakened my sense of wonder and taught me the art of true presence.

 

Today, I feel a deep calling to support other women on similar journeys. Having experienced the painful consequences of disconnection, I'm passionate about helping others remember their true nature. I believe that our personal healing is intrinsically linked to healing our relationship with the Earth. By reconnecting with our inner rhythms and the cycles of nature, we can create meaningful change that benefits all living beings.

 

The Path of Beauty and Wonder is not just a philosophy - it's a courageous choice to live differently. It means saying no to the fast-paced, achievement-driven culture and choosing instead a way of being that honours our whole selves and our connection to the natural world.

​

At its essence, this path whispers of belonging - a tender returning to the wild wisdom within ourselves, to the breathing landscape around us. It is a remembering, soft as moss, deep as root systems, that reconnects us to our own wild nature and weaves us back into the intricate tapestry of all living beings.

 

It is a continuous journey of remembering and forgetting, of falling away and coming home. And it is my honour to walk alongside other women who long to make a difference while truly thriving.

​