Spirit of playfulness

Bring lightness and joy into our world

Photo by Ellen Biot on Unsplash

I’m on a mission!

I am currently on day 6 of a Substack experiment on my Notes feed. I know some of you reading this are taking part in it - thank you so much for your contributions so far. The idea of it, for every day in July, is to fill Substack with the nature in our world. I am genuinely interested in the nature that all our community witnesses every day. I am intrigued to see, that by noticing it, what effect it has on our overall wellbeing.

For me, I love all nature, the great skies, the powerful seas, the earth blooming brightly, the vibrant butterfly and cute baby robin. But I do not forget the underdog, the vilified and detested. I notice the inner beauty of the spider that can make people run as fast as a cartoon fly. I gasp at the formation of centipedes and caterpillars, creeping slowly in their own mechanical way and as most of you know, I love the tenacity of a dandelion (you can read how much in my post below).

What part of nature do you most want to celebrate this month?

Photo by Marina Grynykha on Unsplash

The main benefits of partaking in this challenge are, I believe, threefold.

Firstly: Stopping to notice what makes your heart sing is good for you. Mindful observation, slowing down to look at detail, the joy of capturing an image and then sharing, releases feelings of happiness and accomplishment.

Secondly: It provides kindred connection, a place where a nature loving community can share their part of the world with like minded souls who love all aspects of nature. We are not alone, we are one big thread of belonging. There is no judgement here, just pure joy.

Thirdly: It will help us to grow. Through developing our own knowledge of the world around us, and what we want more of, we will be able to curate the right connections and ultimately find our tribe here on Substack.

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

So, what’s not to love?

Your contributions matter, you will bring much joy from your shares

You will find your people

There will be a lightness conjured up from within, at each image witnessed

You can be playful, experiment with camera angles, try a macro picture or an unusual angle of something familiar, release your inner artist

You can show yourself, be brave, let them know what makes your heart sing

Who’s in?

Photo by Jan Majer on Unsplash

There are still twenty six days left of the challenge, today included, I would love it if you can join us.

Here is what to do:

• Look out for my daily note on 31 days of Nature on Substack challenge

• Post an image of something that is or has inspired you in nature in the comments

• If you wish, you can say a little bit about how the image makes you feel

• Like, comment, restack those that have caused your heart to flutter

• Come back the next day to see what joys await again

Thank you to those who have contributed so far:

Sally Harrop

Siobhan Horsley

Liane Moccia

Alicia Joyful

Lulu deCarron

Simone Kornalijnslijper

Heidi Bonner

Life Between the Systems

Thank you to those who are here on Substack who inspire me to keep spreading messages from nature. These messages help us to feel alive and connected. Nature, our gentle teacher.

To name but a few:

Frances Brown

Sally Harrop

Siobhan Horsley

Kate Harvey

Carla Darcy

Phil Gates

Linda Clark

Mike the Gardener

Angie Dawn

I am curious?

What month of the year do you especially love for nature?

What challenges do you set yourself?

Have you found your people here on Substack? Tag those in the comments who inspire you.