As adults, we don’t often think about connecting with nature. We have so much on our minds, with work and responsibilities at home, that we seldom notice the natural world around us. And for mom entrepreneurs, it’s even easier to become overwhelmed by these responsibilities.
But humans have a connection to the natural world that has been woven into our being since time immemorial, even if we aren’t aware of it. Bringing awareness to, and embracing this connection can offer invaluable benefits in our lives.
"Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation." - Charles Cook
Reconnecting with nature on a conscious level can provide a much-needed break from the demands of entrepreneurship and motherhood, and can help nourish the mind, body, and soul. It can also help foster creativity, resilience, and provide a sense of well-being.
In this article, we’ll look at why it’s important for mompreneurs to prioritize their connection with nature, and explore the ways it can support your entrepreneurial journey.
Finding Nature Around You
Reconnecting with nature on that conscious level can begin with something as simple as cultivating your awareness of nature in your daily life. You can start making a habit of noticing things like…
- the plants around your home or in your neighborhood,
- the natural scents in your skincare, or
- the plants in any natural remedies you may be using for health and wellness.
The key is to be present in the moment. Try to be more conscious of what you’re thinking and feeling in these moments. For example…
- Does it make you smile or bring a sense of peace when you take a moment to notice the beauty of nature around you?
- Do you feel calmer after drinking an herbal tea?
- Does the scent of your herbal bath help you relax?
- How does the aroma of your skincare make you feel? Does it bring up any memories?
Being present and aware of nature in these everyday moments will begin to strengthen the connection with nature that is inherently inside you. As you begin to reconnect on that conscious level you will begin to notice the positive effects that nature can have on your well-being.
"If you reconnect with nature and the wilderness you will not only find the meaning of life, but you will experience what it means to be truly alive." - Sylvia Dolson
Getting Grounded in Nature
The more you practice cultivating your awareness and connection with nature the more you will find that these times provide a sort of reset through the day. You will start noticing that you feel more grounded and present when you return to the responsibilities of life and business.
Being grounded and present is so important for mompreneurs. You often feel like you’re being pulled in a dozen different directions, switching back and forth between work tasks and caring for your home and family. Plus, there are challenges that come up that can throw us off track. Being able to take these quick moments to reset can help bring you back to a place of peace after encountering challenges.
Now, it’s common for entrepreneurs, especially mom entrepreneurs, to feel like they can’t step away even for a moment. But working constantly is costing you and you will eventually burn yourself out. Taking care of yourself is essential to creating a life and business that you can sustain long term. Taking time to reset a few times a day will actually help you have energy when you really need it. And when you look at it that way, how can you not take the time to care for yourself? These resets can even be as short as 5-10 minutes, and I know we can all find 5-10 minutes if we make it a priority.
We can look to the elements for inspiration on even more ways to reconnect and get grounded when we need a reset. Check out my examples below…
- Air: Take a few moments for deep breathing, focusing on each inhale and exhale. You will begin to feel the tension from stress leaving your body with each exhale and then imagine that each inhale is refilling you with patience and peace. You will be amazed at the difference just a few minutes of deep breathing can make.
- Water: As a mompreneur, you may rely on caffeine to keep you going, but caffeine is very dehydrating. And although that caffeine may give you an energy kick in the beginning, if you’re not drinking enough water to rehydrate you can actually end up with the exact opposite effect of what you were needing. Just taking a few minutes to drink a glass of water a few times a day can help avoid that energy drain dehydration causes.
- Fire: Candles are a great option for creating a grounding experience with the fire element. They are great for helping you focus, such as during meditation, or just for helping create a more calming atmosphere.
- Earth: Take a few minutes to sit outside and, just like a trees roots extend down into the soil for stability, imagine roots spreading deep and wide from your feet giving you stability when things get overwhelming.
I know when you’re overwhelmed and stressed it can be tough to imagine these little things helping, but I promise it really can make a difference in your day. The important thing is to make time in your day for these little resets. You don’t have to schedule a specific time, like exactly 1 o’clock every afternoon. Instead, work it into your routine with something you are already doing regularly like after lunch, or right after you finish working. Taking time to reset and get grounded is a form of self-care that, when done regularly, can help keep you at your best.
Living Aligned with Your Cycle
As women, our bodies mirror the cycles in nature (like the seasons or the moon) through our menstrual cycles and especially through the creation of life. When we reconnect with nature, we can gain a greater insight into our own natural cycles, and what our bodies need to function optimally.
Our hormones are on monthly cycles, not 24-hour cycles like men, and they have a significant impact on our energy levels. Unfortunately, our culture, and it’s ideas around work, are based on the masculine 24-hour cycle that tells us we must maintain high productivity every day to succeed. This is ingrained in us from the time we are in school and so we believe this lie and try to hustle and work hard every day. But because our energy levels fluctuate throughout the month with our hormones, you’re not going to have the same level of activity and efficiency in one half of the month as the other half.
When you begin to track your cycles you’ll start to see the patterns in your mood and energy levels. This will allow you to schedule your activities with the parts of the month that they are most aligned with, creating more harmony in your work and life.
Try scheduling your more active tasks for the part of the month when you have more energy, and the more tedious tasks during times of low energy (typically the week before and during your period). You’ll be surprised at the increase in your productivity just from working on the right things at the right times.
To help you track your cycles, I’ve included a free period tracker that you can download and print each month. Unlike period tracker apps that only help you track your period, this printable tracker also has sections to track your mood, energy levels and other symptoms you may experience during your cycle. Grab your copy to start reconnecting with your natural cycles today. When you’re living aligned with your cycle you can better recognize those times when you need a break, and give yourself grace to make rest a priority.
Sign up to download at the link below or at the end of this article.
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64713a3fbdfaea673c77752e
Summary
The ways we reconnect with nature can be simple, but they can have immense benefits on our everyday lives as mompreneurs.
When you have take time regularly to step away from the constant demands of work and motherhood and have a quick reset moment with nature, you will enhance your well-being and find some much-needed harmony in your life.
I hope this article has inspired you to prioritize reconnecting with nature so you too can experience the transformative impact it can have on your journey as a mompreneur.
Until Next Time,
Racheal D.
PS. If you haven't signed up yet, don't forget to fill out the form below to download your free Monthly Period Tracker