Simple Ways to Nourish Yourself with Nature's Magic

My neighbours used to call the police on me. A lot.

For me, suburbia was like living in a fish bowl, someone was always watching, and I was not cut out for the rules of suburbia.

Our police officers were a nice bunch of guys, and they arrived at my door every time someone noticed me colouring outside the lines. It got to the point where they would begin by apologizing, but they had rules too, and needed to investigate every report.

For example; The fire pit I dug in my back yard to use as an outdoor kiln for firing ceramics was, by design, perfectly safe. There’s no law against building a kids treehouse out of reclaimed wood from a demolished gas station either. Outdoor gatherings of spiritually minded women with candles and tarot cards? Also allowed.

But there is a long list of activities that are suburban no no’s. You may not let leaves stay where they fall to feed the earth and trees. Even supervised, your dog may not be off leash, unless your yard is fenced in. Gardens are meant to be well tended flower beds, not riotous vegetation. “Is she growing weeds on purpose?”. Do not let your grass grow long enough to go to seed. Seeds come from the store!

I was never arrested or fined because being “odd” may be unsettling for some people but it’s not against the law. However, when you’re a creative nature-loving free spirit, suburbia sure can feel like jail.

By the time my kids were old enough to strike out on their own, I felt crushed by my surroundings. My marriage was breaking down, the art galleries that supported my thriving art career were closing and I was still recovering from the death of my mother.

It was the perfect time for a jail break.

Running Towards a New Life

Fortunately, my sister is my best friend and a kindred spirit. We had inherited our family home, so when my marriage ended we began sharing the house. Unfortunately, we were still stuck in suburbia!

So together we hatched a plan for our great escape into the kind of life we truly hankered for. When my daughter decided she was also ready for an adventure, we celebrated by selling the house.

Paradise Found

We purchased a century old farmhouse in the countryside. It came with a couple of acres of land and lots of outbuildings. There are 3 ponds, tons of gardening space, and even a greenhouse. Best of all; complete privacy.

I landed in paradise on a cold December day, tired and overwhelmed. When I opened the door to let the dogs in for the night, I glanced up at a sky so dark I could see every star. I stood for a moment, absorbing the profound silence and whispered my thanks as a shooting star arched overhead.

And I closed the door on my previous life.

Meant to Be

We were transformed by the move in surprising ways. Living immersed in nature’s vibrantly alive atmosphere has healed old wounds and blessed us in ways too numerous to count.

Happiness comes in the form of gifts from the garden, the trees, the chickens and the bees. Wildlife passes through undisturbed by our presence, leaving us in awe.

Living on Purpose

Much of our time is spent outdoors, and something magical happens when you set foot on damp soil and begin to really notice what surrounds you. Worries and mind chatter subside, and in the relative silence new ideas begin to bloom.  Nature’s energy begins seeping into your body, soothing and rejuvenating every cell.

Surprising New Pathways

My sister resurrected her childhood love of LEGO. This began a search for used sets that ultimately led to a thriving second hand business that allows us to explore all over our area to trade, buy or sell.

My daughter followed her dream of rescuing dogs; training them through positive reinforcement, and making their lives better. She also found the love of her life and still lives close by.

Making art has always been my mainstay, but nature inspires me to co-create with her in other ways as well. With so much natural abundance to explore, I follow my curiosity and let the trees and plants share their secrets.

Between natural dyes, medicinals, soaps, creams and scented oils, it seems I am always creating something. The growing things have been very generous and now I am finally home.

The Enchanted Journal

How could I keep all this wonder and joy to myself? The Enchanted Journal was born to share the myriad of ways the natural world makes you feel better, look better, and discover your own deep connection with this earth we all live on.

You don’t need to live in the countryside to let nature transform your life. You can invite it in regardless of where you live, and you can do it without nosy neighbours calling the police. The journal is a diary of the practical magic found in nature; told through writing, art, voice and video.

AND NOW YOU CAN SHOP THE ENCHANTED JOURNAL!

Discover something magical to bring ease and comfort into your body, mind and life.

Laura den Hertog lives in Canada’s Ottawa valley making art, writing and co-creating products with nature.