Learning Nature Anew
/BY CARA SCHAEFER
This season, Out There has been exploring the theme “Things I Thought I Knew.” While the natural world is a constant presence, our relationship to it often shifts as we move through different seasons of our lives. Lessons we think we’ve already learned, will be forgotten, and discovered anew. From staying present to being true to yourself, our profile guests from throughout this season offer their perspective.
VIRGINIA ROSE: I am reminded every time I go out of a mystery. Every morning as you're getting ready to go out the door birding, you think you know what you're going to see. But every single time you will see something that you had no expectation of, if you're out and you're paying attention. Or, as Mary Oliver says, “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
Virginia is an avid birder and founder of the non-profit Birdability. You can read her profile here.
SAMARA ALMONTE: When I get reached out to by more mainstream platforms, I often feel like I need to mold myself to the mainstream idea of “outdoorsy.” Like having the right gear, going on all these different hikes and adventures, and really becoming this sort of squeaky-clean idea of almost like an outdoor influencer. I think what I often remember about my work is that it's not always going to fit those boxes, because the work I want to do isn't tailored to that. The work I want to do is storytelling.
When I get opportunities to be on platforms that are more mainstream, I hope I can continue having conversations that are about indigeneity, and healing, and our green roots. I'm also just relearning how to show up in these mainstream spaces, that want a specific image, still myself. And when to say no if it feels like it's not going to be my authentic self being represented. Because right now everyone wants a woman of color in their environmental panel or environmental space, but we have to think about, ‘Can I be my authentic self in those spaces?’
Samara is a multimedia storyteller and host of the podcast Raíces Verdes. You can read her profile here.
ANNIE VARNOT: When I'm out in nature, it's my way of really grounding myself. That interconnectedness brings me joy. I feel immense love for myself, the environment, for living, for just being. When I'm not in it, I lose sight of that.
For me, I'm a real doer. Growing up, my parents were extremely resourceful and hard working. But your purpose and your value was from production — labor and doing. I'm all caught up in this: I have to do, do, do. And when I'm out in nature, it takes me a while to let go of that, and surrender.
Annie is an artist and long-distance hiker. You can read her profile here.
ANASTASIA ALLISON: I'm always having to relearn to stay in the present moment. This is sort of like the ultimate life practice. There are times when I'm hiking, or when I'm outside, and yes, I might be physically there, but my mind is somewhere else. My mind is thinking about the email I need to send, or replaying some conversation in my head, or worrying about something that's coming up, or thinking about something that's in the past.
Nature wants us to be there. Nature wants us to notice the leaves, or notice the raindrops dripping off of the trees, or notice the bird flying by. Nature is just this endless, infinite source of miracles that we often miss when we aren't truly present. If we can simply be there, and feel as though we're a part of it, that really enhances our connection, not only to nature and each other, but to ourselves.
Anastasia is an entrepreneur, musician, and dancer. You can read her profile here.
DIVYA ANATHARAMAN: Living in the city, no matter how much we think we're removed from nature, we are still part of it. There's not really any escaping from being a part of this bigger story that nature has.
Divya is a taxidermist based in New York City. You can read their profile here.
PAULINA DAO: I think one thing I'm always having to relearn is redefining what “outdoorsy” means. And keeping in mind that as long as I'm outside, I'm outside. I think we all get really caught up in doing big hikes, climbing really hard, doing things that people think are really cool. And for me, I have a hard time trying to not compare my accomplishments, or lack of accomplishments, to others. And just really remembering that I'm going outside for myself, and not for the Internet, and not for anybody else.
Paulina is a photographer and outdoor adventurer. You can read her profile here.
What’s something that YOU are always having to relearn when it comes to your connection with nature? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, be sure to check out the latest season of Out There online, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
