Forest walks
Isn't it ironic? I've spent most of my life living on the countryside and wishing I was in the city. Everywhere I've gone since, I have sought out nature. Mostly in the form of parks, lakes or nature reserves - but also temples, walking tracks, beaches and rivers.
With that in mind, I suppose it's no surprise that my second Sunday in Stockholm was spent in a nature reserve (Judarskogens naturreservat). The sun was out and warmed my winter-worn out body. The thick layer of snow had started to melt, and the cold water quickly made its' way into my shoes and through my socks. I was determined to finish the nature track around lake Judarn though, and so I did. I'm pretty sure I even started doing a second lap. I was so focused on avoiding the icy parts of the track, that I didn't realise I was back in the same place I'd been before!
Seeing people on the ice brought back so many good memories! I was raised with a deep appreciation for nature, and my parents would take me out exploring as often as they could. I remember going ice-skating on lakes near our home and exploring the forest by foot and on horseback. Looking for berries or mushrooms or just shiny rocks that would look nice piled up on another, bigger rock in the garden. I would always bring back one or two for mum. She would always thank me for the gifts and put them next to the other stones. I don't remember how it started, but I do remember the raw concentration that went in to finding the "right" ones.
I was VERY talkative as a kid, and my father would always be saying "if you're quiet, maybe we will get to see some animals". We did, even though I was never able to shut up for long. Deer, foxes, wild boars, different birds of prey. I looked for tracks in the snow today, but I think most of the ones I saw were from domestic dogs...
Few things are as soothing and energising as spending time in nature. I think it's something deeply rooted in all of us, a longing we all have. We weren't made to spend all our time in bustling cities with neon lights and traffic, commuting and stressing and running around. Don't get me wrong - I love many things about the city life. When I was living in Singapore, lights, events, people and cool sights were everywhere and I was absolutely THRILLED about that a lot of the time. Even then, I was seeking out calm places in nature as much as I could. It's how I reset my mind, I guess. My thoughts are often scattered and I need some help to bring them back to the here and now. Sights and sounds of nature are more gentle than the hustle and bustle of the city, which also helps to bring my awareness back.
It's time to wind down and prepare for the new week tomorrow. Thank you for checking in here and reading my reflections! I see you, and I appreciate it.
Til next time!
/ Julia