What needs to be unturned to reach your answers?
The newsletter that begins with a question
Do you remember picking up leaves, unturning rocks and digging up the earth when you were a kid? I was so curious (and mildly creeped out) to observe what was happening beneath the surface. I watched worms wriggle, ants scurry, and beetles find their next hiding place. The earth underneath looked and smelled different, its own unique ecosystem in fascinating micro detail. I had so many questions about this underworld, yet I didn’t seek answers by reading books. I just sat there observing, my attention held in deep curiosity.
While walking in the rain recently, I wandered off path towards a woodland and a stream. My attention was called to the beauty next to my feet. Waxcap fungi lifting their petticoats of gills, tree swells bulging out like giant snail shells, scattered yellow leaves clinging to the damp. I felt soothed by nature, safe to release feelings I’d been holding on to, and then inspired to write! My experience brought to me this question:
What needs to be unturned to reach your answers?
It can be so tempting to search for answers on the internet, or to reach for a book, but sometimes it feels like a dead end. Then what? I encourage you to explore within! If you need a helping hand with that, let’s forage for the treasure together, getting soil in our nails and rain on our cheeks. Email me: sarah@sarahventurer.com
In this episode of About The Adventure podcast, Louise Earnshaw says that since leaving her job as a teacher she is being kinder to herself and has found her personality again. Through her career change she has become the owner of all of the decisions that are being made and that’s why she can be kinder to herself, because she's not panicking about the next thing that somebody is going to tell her to do. She says that she finds this really liberating as she explores life outside of a classroom.
“Moving away from that, I feel like I’ve found my personality again.”
I think that you'll find this interview particularly valuable if you:
experienced bullying when you were at school
feel dismayed by the pressure and toxic environment in your workplace
struggle with knowing when to stop work for the day
are considering self-employment in the outdoor or creative industries
think you've been taken for granted in your job
Find out more about Louise and this episode on my blog or click the button below to listen now.
Have you ever wondered why?
After my walk in the rain I felt really inspired to write a short nature piece that flowed from my voice through to my fingertips. I have shared this nature writing with the other people taking part in a therapeautic writing course called Alchemy by Ruth Coates and received lovely feedback about it, so I decided to publish it on my blog. My experience of the course is wonderful, supportive and hugely powerful.
Featured coaching session
While perched on gritstone boulders, we overlook the stunning Vale of Edale smothered by winter light. I turn to you and ask - “What do you know will bring a sparkle back to your eyes?” You pause, stumped for an answer at first. I hold space for you in silence, trusting that your answer will rise. Tiny clouds drift, the mist lifts a little, and the light changes ever so slightly.
There is time for rest and contemplation during my coaching sessions. Sometimes a boulder will hold you as you sink into its warmth, or a peat grough will provide you with shelter from the wind. My sessions will continue throughout the winter season and are always adapted to the weather conditions.
If you have a question about my coaching sessions, or if you would like to book a walk together, please email: sarah@saraventurer.com
Patreon supporters receive a 10% discount.
In other news…
The next episode of About The Adventure podcast will be a career change interview with Commercial and Outdoors Filmmaker Stephen Reid from Northern Ireland.
In the latest episode of Wild About Kinder podcast, Wayne Fallon describes why Kinder Scout has a special place in his psyche and how he represents this beguiling place in his artwork.
My book: Mountain Walks Kinder Scout - 15 routes to enjoy on and around Kinder is coming soon! Find out more on the Vertebrate Publishing website.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. If you have a question to ask, something to share, or if you’d like to be a guest on my podcast or blog, please get in touch: sarah@sarahventurer.com