The Nature Of Work

Did you know, that as a species, we’ve spent almost 10 million years living within a woodland environment, yet only 11,000 outside? That’s the contrast between a one pence piece and a football pitch.

This tiny, yet enormous fact, blew my mind when I heard it a few years ago, as I began training as a Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing) guide.

Yet over those 11,000 years, we’ve gradually disconnected. We’ve become mere onlookers when it comes to nature. Bystanders; not just to the awe and wonder of the natural world, but also to ourselves, our lives, and understanding our place in the world. And for a large proportion of our daily lives we’ve become, well, a little lost. It’s reflected in what we do, what we feel and how we act.

Yet in those precious moments when we do feel connected to people and places (and for some, yes even work) we begin to experience that lost sense of belonging, connection, and wholeness again. It’s during these moments that we feel most alive — that we’re not just going through the motions.

I feel it when we gather as a group of sea bathers for the community project I run to encourage people back into the sea. Every time I go for a dip with people of all ages, from 20 to 85, I feel a sense of joy and wonder at the prospect of immersing ourselves together in the cool waters of the south coast. Sometimes I hold the hands of those who are less confident or need help with their balance. It’s simple, yet purposeful — the chance to share something meaningful with others. To bond together in nature. Sure, I like to sea bathe alone, but I like it tenfold when I’m in the company of others.

Over this past year, there seems to be a gentle, yet unmistakable awakening happening. An increased desire to get out into nature. And whether we realise it or not, it’s a pull to find our way back to what it is we have lost. This shift is important. It’s subtle, but it really means something. That’s why we’ve created a chance for teams to get back together in nature. A safe container for people to relax — take some time out to think — but to do it in a structured way that provides the opportunity to connect with themselves (in guided breath sessions), each other (around the campfire in the evening, during the sharing part of our creative journaling sessions and in the woods practising Shinrin-yoku) in nature (the experience is hosted in a 10-acre luxury glamping site in Surrey).

If you’d like to learn more and perhaps try it out for yourself, why not come along to our 1-day Open Leadership Retreat on Tuesday 21st September. It’s £499 and if you like it (as we think you will) we’ll refund that back to you when you book your team in for a bespoke experience.

You’ll find all the details here: https://thelifeadventure.co/workshop/open-leadership-retreat/ and if you have any questions please do ask below or get in touch at justinec@thelifeadventure.co