First off, I want to give some clarity on what rewilding means if you aren’t familiar with the term. It basically refers to reconnecting with how we lived more simply before these modern times. Before technology, before electricity and electric-powered cars, many of our ancestors had a closer relationship with the earth and nature. Rewilding is based on creating everyday practices that will help us to incorporate some of the ways of old into our lives to encourage a healthier and more harmonious mind, body and spirit as much as possible.
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Get in Nature
So that goes without saying that one of those first ways to rewild your life is to get outside. The more the nature in the setting, the better but if you don’t have easy access to greenery, just start. You may have a balcony, there you can get out and stare at the clouds or bathe in the moonlight.
This is easily done with kids, because oftentimes they have a natural desire to get outdoors. Even a 5 or 10-minute walk around your subdivision can do wonders for your headspace. I know this is true for me. Give it a try. If your new to the great outdoors, promise yourself at least 5 minutes a day. Our ancestors were not stuck indoors 24 hours out of the day. Get out and get some fresh air in those lungs. The benefits are usually immediate.
Move your Body
A stark difference in a lot of modern folks in comparison to that of our ancestors is that they were not a stagnant people. If they didn’t get up and move their feet, they literally did not eat. Now, we don’t really have to rely on much movement in order to be fed.
We can sit at a desk all day and place an order with the press of a button, and our delivery will be at the front door in less than an hour. My little ones definitely keep me on my feet. And sometimes a lack in organization can keep me up and down the stairs. But there is a different sense of joy that intentional movement brings to my day. I have a playlist specifically for when I hula hoop. That is one of my most care-free moments of the day and there’s just something about it that makes me feel sooo good.
I’ve also recently gotten into belly-dancing too. I’m no expert and haven’t actually taken any official classes outside of Youtube but I’ve gotten serious enough about it to purchase myself some little belly-dancing scarves. When I put these on!! Listen, no one can tell me I don’t know what I’m doing. On one of those days when dinner has been prepared early and I have some extra down-time while the kiddos are playing, I just throw on a skirt, turn up the speaker and dance in circles around everyone.
Connect with Other Women
As I reflect on what is currently missing in society, I can’t help but notice that community is not what it used to be. Where are the women’s groups? Where are the families that get together on Sundays? The neighbors that gather on the front porches just to catch up for the pure pleasure of it.
Have you noticed that oftentimes so many people are out and about with their heads stuck on a screen? I used to be one of them. Now, I often challenge myself to look up and stay aware. I never know, I just may be able to spark a conversation with someone. It can only happen if I make myself open to it.
Another way that I create an opportunity for connections with other women is by signing up for apps for moms/women. If you’re not familiar with them, think of dating apps except that are for platonic friendships between women. I’ve made quite a few acquaintances that way and whenever I’m feeling the desire to expand my feminine circle, I just start swiping.
If you’re anything like me, your desire is to be a part of a women’s circle and dance fireside under the moonlight. But first, you have to put yourself out there and meet other women.
Learn an Ancient Practice
Create herbal remedies. Learn basket weaving. Try molding clay into a vase. Plant a garden. Become an expert forager. These are all examples of things that our ancestors participated in on the regular. They stayed creative, really because they had no other choice. They needed to heal wounds (herbalism). They needed baskets to hold their harvests’ (weaving). Gardening ensured that they had a steady harvest and foraging of course allowed them to eat and find food when their garden wasn’t quite up and running.
Now we have grocery stores and Amazon and all types of resources at the ready. But we can still find ways to incorporate beauty and solace by way of some of these ancient practices. You may just find your new favorite hobby.
Journal
This could be an easy hack for when you have let the busyness of our world crowd your mind. Journaling is one of my favorite ways to connect with my own thoughts and recenter my mind. I typically like to do this at the onset of the day when my kids are still asleep, and all is quiet. Some people prefer to journal at night to reflect on their day. I will usually create my own prompt, but there are many that you could also find online. There is no wrong or right way. All you have to do is begin to write.
I included this, because sometimes all that’s needed to get a good clear headspace is to sit with yourself. I think that one of the things that we just don’t get enough of in these modern times is the time, space and motivation to form our own thoughts. To sit with our own opinions. Journaling provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. There are no fancy tools needed. All you need is a pen and paper (notepad/journal).
Disconnect and Unplug
If you take some time to think about how time was spent centuries ago, it wouldn’t take long to realize modern technology was not at the center of it. Obviously, most people were more than likely somewhere outdoors whether that was their intention or not. I am inclined to believe this was not only healthy for our ancestors’ bodies’ but also something that provided great mental clarity.
Just think about it. How do you feel after you’ve taken some intentional time away from electronics? Maybe you found that there were actually plenty more things you could be doing with your time anyway. Maybe you haven’t tried it all. Well, this is your sign! Remember, baby steps…. There’s a reason I saved this one for last. Now maybe it’s time to unplug!
What about you? How do you find ways to rewild your own life? Let me know below.
Next, check out this post on some fun and simple beauty hobbies for moms.
