It's inside. Your gift for saying yes to yourself
On writing, creativity, harvest and nourishing heart, mind & body
If you live in the countryside, have you seen fluffy cotton candy-like fog floating over the fields again in the early mornings before the sun is warm enough? If you are a city dweller like me (80 % of my time), maybe you didn’t pay much attention to the subtle seasonal shifts at all. With fewer green spaces to witness, the change from the vibrant summer heat to the gradual descent into autumn is less obvious in the concrete jungle.
With the days shortening, it is natural to turn inward and reflect on our personal journeys. That is why you’ll find ideas for reflection, and nourishing recommendations for mind, heart and body today. Countryside photos and a poll for some fun.
But first: your summer-welcome-back-to-reading-party invitation: I really wanted to make sure to welcome the 50 new faces that joined in August. And welcome to older faces of course, too. I’m still in the process of gathering my many email lists from all the events I ran over the years (please bear with me as I try to remember all the passwords…), bringing everyone together in this reader community for a special occasion and more regular schedule again moving forward.
This month, I’m celebrating 3 years of writing (on and off) on Substack with readers across four continents. Ouff, it did feel like a roller coaster at times. A slower and more mindful one of course.
For this milestone that is only relevant because you are here, I rewrote what brought me here, why I write, with what intentions and what you get out of it all… Why? Guess, it’s been a minute or two since I wrote last. Sharing vulnerably, inviting you to prioritise your needs, and honouring what nourishes body, mind and heart. Inspiration to reflect, shift and bring nuance to the well-being conversation of us busy bees. Ready? Let’s dive in.
On harvesting and the gift of journalling & reflection
I love spending this time of the year reflecting on achievements, which goals, intentions, projects and dreams came to fruition, and which ones can safely lay dormant over the winter. Just like the seeds and plants farmers leave in the soil to grow in the year to come.
I’m holding on to summer as long as I can, don’t get me wrong. However, nature is slowly turning inward and we have the invitation to follow. With growth of any kind also comes grief. Nothing is linear. Incorporating rituals helps our mental health in times of (seasonal) change.
And as students of life, it is essential that we take small moments to find stillness, acknowledge, celebrate and let go. With pen and paper, we can see the shifts more clearly.
I discovered the most beautiful journal for reflection. If you’re on the lookout, check my recommendations, Nourishment for the Heart further down.
Writing is a vulnerable experience. The act of putting our words on the page exposes our innermost thoughts by giving them a physical form.
How are you feeling in this harvest season?
Do you have any rituals for yourself, apart from potentially picking tomatoes or apples, and collecting chestnuts or foraging mushrooms? …Or shopping for back-to-school equipment and new rain boots for the months ahead.
We often only realise the beauty of our journey when we slow down and write or are engaged in exploratory exchange with others. That’s why I work with a mentor (read On Why We All Need Mentors) and love, love, love cheering friends, family, colleagues and fellow writers from the sidelines.
To bring this community to life and foster connection, celebrate and honour you, you are invited to share what you’re harvesting this season. Join in in the comments!
As we reflect, are we taking full ownership, are we fully living?
Keep on reading. Don’t miss my seasonal inspo below.
I curated a selection of things for mind, heart and body that I wholeheartedly enjoyed over the summer and think you might, too.
Summer stories…. My slow week in the countryside
As I was house-sitting in the countryside earlier this month, I had to set an alarm for 6 a.m. every morning. And I am not a morning person. Why? The chickens had a strict schedule I could not miss. So, more asleep than awake I would totter down into the garden to let them out. Afterwards, I snuggled back into bed for a few more hours of sleep.
I enjoyed the earthy smell of the forest, and with barely open eyes, admired the fog slowly lifting over the fields in the distance. It almost felt like dream walking (at least how I would imagine it to be).
During the hot daytime, I kept myself occupied with harvesting calendula to make massage oil once the heads have dried (following this recipe). I indulged in fresh tomatoes, treated my sweaty body to cold dips in the nearby river, and honoured Spanish siesta in the Bavarian countryside with a good nap. Watered plants and watched rainbows and water drops evaporate in the burning sun.
I sat down, accompanied by curious chickens, to reflect on what I could harvest, following the intentions I had set with the return of the light earlier in the year. I loved the days and dreaded the nights, being eaten alive by mosquitoes that are at home in the nearby rivers. And let’s be real for a moment, when you’re used to the city, being alone on a farm at the edge of the woods can be a bit lonely after sunset. (At least my creative brain pictured all the foxes, wild boars and forest creatures paying a visit…)
Spoiler: I have a corporate job in the tech world, working at the intersection of wellbeing, collaboration and productivity. This week is not my day to day life.
Taking a moment to thank the lovely people who shared my publication far and wide, recommended it, reviewed it, and left some love in any shape or form. ❤️
If you would like to be featured anonymously or with your name, please get in touch. Keep the feedback, reviews and kind words coming.
Your Summer Inspo:
New nourishment for the mind, heart and body
It’s inside. Inside you. More is not better. All you need is already within you. The Rest Revolution has already started for you!
Only you know if you need more inspiration or actually less of everything, slowing down and a focus on what truly matters to you. If you are in the space of reading, listening and watching new ideas to nourish yourself, enjoy the list below and please share your recommendations in the comments.
Body:
- wrote about one of my favourite topics: Creative play and dedicating time to explore. Read more here.
What is it exactly? I mean, it can be a multitude of things, and in a way, that’s the beauty of it. For me, creative play is about creating for the sake of creating. It’s enjoying the process, as much as, if not more than, the final result.
On this journey of continuous movement discovery, (I have over 600 hours of advanced yoga teacher training under my belt, having specialised in womb and women's yoga amongst other modalities), I came across Bowspring. It transcends traditional yoga by targeting the body's fascia in groundbreaking ways. Unlike conventional often rather static yoga postures originally created for male monks, Bowspring incorporates dynamic, naturally curvilinear positions that optimize the fascial network's stretch and resilience perfect for the modern female body. And yes, it feels strange at first. I’m still new to the concept and can barely call my practice a practice yet. Nonetheless, I love the fluidity and seeing how my posture has improved in just a few weeks is almost too good to be true. If you would like resources, lmk.
Mind:
- writes about slow living, and personal growth for creative souls and dreamers splitting her time between rural British Yorkshire and a French farm. I love reading all her writings and have been following her online for years. This article is particularly fascinating: I tried recreating my Instagram photographs with AI, and the results are... unsettling.
Hungry to truly understand feminine well-being from a holistic standpoint? I was at rock bottom on my health journey 5 years ago. With a (paper) notepad in my hand, I listened to Jessica Ash’s Instagram stories back in the day and saw incredible improvements in reversing some health conditions that no doctor believed were possible. With hundred thousands of followers across social media platforms, she launched her podcast Fully Nourished® recently.
Heart:
If you love stationary as much as I do, check out this beautiful Plannher by
It is exactly what I’ve been looking for and couldn’t find. Thankfully my mentor and dear friend recommended it to me. (Thank you Debbie!)YOUR GIFT FOR YOURSELF:
Your nature ritual: An invitation for your senses - by me for youI invite you to transform your nature walks into immersive sensory experiences this autumn. Beyond purely observing, engage all your senses, including touch. Especially city folks tend to not touch nature very often.
Feel the textures of tree bark, leaves, and rocks under your fingertips or toes. The petals of a rose. How might they feel different from each other?
Experience the subtle vibrations of the natural world, from the rustling of leaves to the resonance of cracking twigs of ancient trees.
By incorporating touch alongside your usual senses, you'll forge a profound connection with your environment and its seasonal changes.
As we slowly shift from summer to autumn, get ready to elevate your nature encounters through this gentle embodiment practice.
I remember exploring nature like this naturally as a child and trying to connect more to the seasons with all senses again. Living in big cities in my 20s fostered disconnect.
…and finally, for our hungry bellies the perfect treat!
If you want the most amazing German Eggnog, Rum and Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe from my family, let me know and I’ll share it with you in the comments. Still need to translate it.
Perfect for dipping into tea or coffee as you read newsletters and Substack articles. ;-)
Have you made it all the way to the end?
If you’re still with me, I hope your tea hasn’t gone cold…
Thank you for being here as you are prioritising yourself, for reading what energies you, for making space to reflect, for exploring the seasons in a more embodied way, and for nourishing your mind, heart and body.
My writing mantra: quality over quantity. I honour your time, respect your inbox and care deeply for your and my own mental wellbeing. I’m not currently writing at a specific schedule, as much as I would like to be predictable.
Next time you hear from me, I hope to share more about my plans for this space.
Please always get in touch with ideas, requests, questions or kind words you’d like to share.
Stay well, until next time!
Thank you so much for including me and my Plannher in your update 🙏🏻🤍💫🦋🩵
Thanks for noting my feedback, Carmen. And, of course, feel free to tag me as well.