What does ‘Rewilding the Soul’ mean?
Michael Soulé and Reed Noss are credited coined the term “rewilding” in 19981. The concept of rewilding is based on the idea of restoring ecosystems to their natural state.
‘Rewilding the soul’ takes this ecological concept and applies it metaphorically to our human experience.
What does this mean for professional people with busy lives?
It involves maintaing a healthy connection with our human, innate, deeper selves. Rewilding the soul for business people is about creating and experiencing optimal personal wellness and joy; collectively, it can also lead to more creative sustainable, ethical, and innovative business practices. It’s about creating a balance that benefits not only each of us personally, but also our work and homes lives and contribution to the wider community.
Here are ten questions to indicate whether you need to consider adding some activites to your schedule that focus on rewilding your soul:
- Do you feel fatigue quickly when you stop, interrupted sleep, anxiety, and a general feeling of overwhelm?
- Is your work-life structured and dominated by analytical thinking more than creativity and innovation?
- Do you feel disconnected from your personal values and passions in your work?
- Do you feel that all your time and energy is consumed by work?
- Are you spending all your time in urban and digital environments?
- Do you experience back pain, headaches, and general lethargy?
- Do you find it more difficult than usual to make clear, confident decisions?
- Are you competitive at work and even home and struggle to be empathic towards others?
- Does the idea of sustainable environmental practices seem pretty irrelevant to you?
- Do you lack any sense of meaningful purpose and long-term vision?
What do I need to do?
If you answered yes to some of these, here are some practical ways to rewild your soul:
- The Mindful Communicator: Get a copy of the Mindful Communicator and work through its seven principles to help you rediscover a richer connection to your deeper, more human self, create more positive conditions at work and at home and richer relations with others. You’ll develop some powerful, actionable strategies to live more soulfully on a daily basis. You can do this alone, with a partner or at work with a group using our Mindful Communicator Coaching Programme. Get in touch here for more information.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation outdoors. This could be sitting quietly by a river, practicing yoga in a forest, or meditating on a mountaintop. The goal is to be present in the moment and fully experience the natural environment around you.
- Animal Interaction: Engage in activities that allow for close interaction with animals, such as walking the dog, horseback riding, bird watching, or even volunteering at wildlife sanctuaries. Such interactions can foster a deeper inner connection with our deeper selves.
- Gardening and Permaculture: Start a garden and even grow some of your own food. Working with the land can be a deeply rewarding way to connect with the earth and its beauty.
- Art and Creativity: Use natural settings as inspiration for art and creativity. This could involve landscape painting, nature photography, or writing poetry inspired by natural beauty. Being creative in nature is a powerful way to express and explore your deeper self.
- Physical Challenges: Engage in physical activities that challenge you in natural settings, like hill or rock climbing, running in natural settings, or open water swimming. These activities can help push your limits and foster a sense of adventure.
- Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating with a focus on organic, locally sourced, and seasonal foods. This helps in understanding and appreciating the source of your nourishment, connecting you more deeply with the cycles of nature.
- Digital Detox: Regularly unplug from digital devices and social media. This can help reduce the noise of modern life and allow you to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.
- Community Connection: Participate in community groups or events focused on environmental conservation and outdoor activities. Building relationships with like-minded individuals can enhance your rewilding journey.
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