This week as I officially dive into the wonderful and extensive world of Permaculture, my focus is on humans and our relationship with nature. Specifically my and my children’s relationship with nature, if it’s possible to improve on it, what the results are and would be, and how it can be done.
I believe that my little family already have a great relationship with nature - we grow our own organic food using no dig beds; when my health permits it we visit our local community gardens, the beach, reserves, the lake, the wetlands, go on bush walks - all while observing the natural cycles and interrelationships within these areas.
I use every opportunity I can to teach my children about whatever we come into contact with, they are encouraged to ask questions and find the answers to them.
We live in a rental, but have a backyard the size of which many are envious of and a front yard packed with trees, my children are often out observing and identifying the many birds that frequent both yards. We watch our waste - we have a composting system. We mostly walk or take public transport and do not own a car.
Being immersed in nature when possible has meant the recovering of my mental health after having some very toxic people in my life - I can’t begin to put into words how grateful I am to live in a place with a healthy attitude towards nature and with a strong gardening community. As I rediscover myself through nature, my passions, my role as a mother, nurturer and what being a woman means to me, I also find myself healing.
Not to mention that the simple act of being out in the sun and fresh air, walking and climbing has meant that our physical health and fitness levels are improving as well. We volunteer in community tree planting and other regenerative projects.
However, in the back of my mind I am always returning to the fact that we are a part of nature. We were originally surrounded by her, not boxed up in houses in front of computers, tablets and televisions. Our shelters were small places to sleep and sometimes eat in, and to provide us with protection against the elements. The Earth was our garden, not a small patch lost in front of our vast houses deep within suburbia. We would spend our days caring for, learning from, being nurtured by and paying homage to nature, not stuck in 9-5 jobs. There was no grid to rely upon, we used fire for heat, light and cooking. There was no petrol powered transportation, we walked, were assisted by animals or created wheeled carts powered by humans or animals to travel tricky or long distances.
So until I am living as my ancestors were once free to, my relationship with nature can and will be improved. The following is more of a short term list.
- Less time studying online and more time studying nature.
- Actually creating my designs, getting them off paper and into the ‘real world’ as well as putting all I’ve learnt and continue to learn, into practice.
- More time observing the interactions in nature and the signs of the seasons arriving.
- Spending less time inside the house and more time outside, maybe putting a study area outside where I can read, plan and write.
- More involvement in community gardening and projects, possibly some guerrilla gardening.
- Planning and creating water, light, heating and cooking solutions to break away from my reliance upon the grid as much as possible.
How exactly does all this improve my day to day life? I hear you ask.
Well first and foremost, sustainable food & energy security and independence is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, our community and our planet. At the very least it provides peace of mind when it comes to our supply, otherwise it can mean knowing exactly where your resources come from and that they are supporting you and often your friends, family and wider community; improving your health and that of the planet, not hindering it - as far as I’m concerned this is priceless.
The observation of nature is not only calming and relaxing it also means that I can follow her lead and make slight adjustments to design and create my own habitat that has the least amount of impact possible.
As more time spent in nature is improving my health and fitness, I can spend more time making connections in the community, which in turn improves my mental health.
The limiting of time studying online can be solved by buying more books. I have to admit, with the wealth of information that we have at our fingertips, it can be extremely hard for me at times, to step away from my laptop and the articles, research and breathtaking photos by other gardeners and permaculturists, to work on my own ideas. I feel like that is the biggest problem at the moment!