How Have You Been Approaching Yourself and the World Lately?
Recently, I was running on a trail in the mountains and realized I was completely stuck in my head. I had been staring at my feet, trying to just keep going, and feeling discouraged by the incline I was facing. I didn’t look around very much and I was just trying to get to the end of the run. I realized that some of the narratives running through my mind were not very kind or supportive.
When I became consciously aware of how I was engaging, I had to stop and reflect. As an Eco-therapist, I have learned that the way we approach ourselves and the world around us is very important to pay attention to. It may seem insignificant sometimes but it actually can say a lot about how we may be engaging in relationships and how we may be treating ourselves on a broader scale.
Below is an Eco-Therapy practice that can help with becoming more aware of your own approach to yourself, others, and Nature and steps for shifting any approaches that may be inhibiting connection or well-being in your life. I use my own reflections on the situation above as an example of how to move through the practice.
Question 1: How am I turning towards or away from myself?
Observe: What do I notice about how I related/am relating to myself in this situation?
I recognize that I was just trying to get through the run and was not very aware of what my body needed. I recognize that when I was turning towards myself, I was speaking unkindly.
Reflect: What could my observation tell me about how I may be approaching myself, even outside of this situation?
It might be hard for me to stay connected to myself when I am doing something difficult. I may feel more accustomed to trying to motivate myself with negative narratives than with uplifting ones. I may start to go towards thinking more than listening to my body when something is hard.
Shift in Approach (if needed): What could I try differently in the future that could foster greater well-being or connection?
I could begin to notice when I am talking unkindly to myself and, if I’m able to, try to change the narratives with kinder or more encouraging words. I could begin to practice turning my awareness back to my body or my emotions if I notice that I am only living in my thoughts.
Question 2: How am I turning towards or away from the world around me/others?
Observe: What do I notice about how I related/am relating to the world around me in this situation?
I recognize that I was not very engaged with the other beings around me, staring down at my feet for long portions of the run. I was so focused on completing my goal that I did not connect very readily with Nature or notice what was going on around me.
Reflect: What can my observation tell me about how I may be approaching the world around me, even outside of this situation?
I may be drawn to focus on outcomes. I may feel safer focusing on what I have control over and sticking to a plan. It may feel hard for me to pause if I have a goal and this might be causing me to be disconnected from relationships and Nature throughout my day.
Shift in Approach (if needed): What could I try differently in the future that could foster greater well-being or connection?
I could begin to practice looking up and around me, even if only for a few moments, and noticing the world. I could begin to practice pausing and taking breaks throughout my day. I could begin to practice being more curious about other beings and interactions I am having throughout the day, even if they are not pre-planned.
Question 3: How am I turning towards or away from the activity/situation itself?
Observe: What do I notice about how I related/am relating to this activity or situation itself?
I recognize that I was not actively enjoying the run or being outside. I recognize that I was very focused on trying to complete the run in a certain way.
Reflect: What can my observation tell me about how I may be approaching activities/tasks/situations in my daily life, even outside of this example?
I may be losing focus of the root of why I am doing something. I may be very focused on being successful or doing something “right”. I may have lost sight of some of the values that drove me to engage in the activity in the first place.
Shift in Approach (if needed): What could I try differently in the future that could foster greater well-being or connection?
I could begin to practice actively drawing awareness to my values and/or my “why” for engaging in something. Sometimes this may feel easier, if it is something I am choosing to do, but when I am able to be in touch with my values/my why, I know that I feel more connected to being alive.
There can be so much available when we pause and really ask ourselves these questions, especially in moments or after moments that we felt disconnecting or negative. There is so much that can begin to grow in our lives just by starting with intentional awareness of how we are approaching ourselves and the world around us, even if we are not immediately sure what to do with the information.
Also, these reflections may seem straightforward based on my writing but I can assure you, this has taken me a lot of practice. So please, give yourself permission to be curious about your reflections and observations without having to judge yourself or immediately find a solution. The most important part of all of this is really just beginning to pay attention!
If you are curious to learn more about Eco-therapy and/or working with me, please reach out to me! I would love to connect with you.