Caring for our Earth
I’ve been trying to slow down a little more lately, standing in the sun for a bit longer before going inside, taking a breath of fresh air and looking up at the stars when I get home at night, being more present on walks in nature and taking notice of the colours of flowers, shades and textures of leaves and listening to the birds sing
And it’s made me realise how much the earth quietly gives us, all the time, without asking for anything in return
The warmth on your skin when you step outside. The way fresh air can shift your mood almost instantly. The food you eat that started somewhere in the ground, grown, nourished, and made its way to you. It’s constant support, but it’s so easy to overlook when you’re moving quickly through your day
I think that’s why I’ve started to see looking after the earth a little differently. Not as something I “should” do, but as something that just feels natural when I’m paying attention
Because the truth is, there’s no separation. What you breathe, drink, and eat becomes you. You’re not just living on the earth, you’re part of it
On Earth Day, which is on the 22nd of April, there’s always a reminder to be more conscious. And I do think that matters. But instead of turning it into pressure or a long list of things to fix, I like the idea of letting it be a gentle pause
A moment to notice what’s already here
For me, that might look like stepping outside without my phone and just being there for a few minutes. It might look like appreciating my food a little more instead of eating it quickly while doing something else. It might even just be catching myself before rushing and choosing to slow down, even slightly
None of it is perfect. I’m not doing everything “right.” But I don’t think that’s the point
The more I appreciate what the earth gives, the more naturally I want to take care of it. Not out of guilt, but out of respect. And that shift feels a lot lighter
There’s also something really calming about remembering that the earth doesn’t rush. Things grow when they’re ready. Seasons change when they’re meant to. Nothing is forcing itself to be ahead of where it is, and somehow, everything still works out
I think we’re allowed to move like that too
So when April 22nd comes around, I’m not thinking about doing everything differently. I’m just taking it as a small reminder to appreciate what’s already supporting me every day
Because when you start from that place, looking after the earth doesn’t feel like effort. It just feels like a natural extension of taking care of yourself
