I think that children who love nature are often encouraged to move away from this as part of growing up, leading to teenagers who abandon the interest because they view it as childish. I wonder whether more teenagers would like nature if society treated that interest differently.
That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. One piece of evidence is how it’s taken for granted that young children have daily outdoor time in daycare, yet no one ‘forces’ teenagers to go outside. And it’s a big hurdle to be the first teen to spend time outside exploring when everyone else stays inside (with phones).
This is such an important concept. Thank you for offering it to the Substack community. My work is dedicated to helping people reconnect to their ancestral yearning to be with Nature, connected, rather than in Nature, which offers varying results. Your article resonates deeply within me!
Thank you for your warm comment! Nature connection is one of my interests, and I truly think a deeper connection with nature is a solution to many modern problems.
What a beautiful reflecting post Anna. I think we belong in Nature, but the modern world are trying to disatract us away from it. We can loose the connection to Nature yes, but as soon as we remember who we are, we are back on track. It`s always within us. We are born with the connection to Nature, the whole universe. I also love that you mention your urge to take care of insects when you where little. I was like that too, maybe not insects but squirrel`s I saved from time to time. And Tove Janssons book about Mummitrollet ( norwegian) I loved, and my son loved it too when he was little. Thank you for sharing this story.
I like how you put that we are born with the nature connection! That's so true. And drifting away from nature starts right away, with small things — until some of us reach the point where even walking barefoot feels like too much. I think it’s so sad.
So nice to hear that you’ve read Jansson’s book with your son too! I think all the Moomin books have so much to say for adults as well. Thanks! 💚
Oh, I’m sorry 😔 I didn’t think about the fact that not everyone lives near forests — my suggestion must have sounded silly. But it’s great that you have some mountains nearby and can go hiking! 🏔️💚
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna. Thank you for writing it.
It's beautiful how you and your children are connecting with the Moomin novels as you read them together—how special.
Your question about whether we lose our nature connection during our teenage years because of modern life or because of how we are is a really interesting one. I once went to a talk by a social scientist who works for the RSPB (a conservation charity here in the UK), who had also identified this drop-off in teenagers. She argued that this is why early years are so important. Young adults who were connected with nature as young children are more likely to be able to come back to it and refind it later on than those who weren't so lucky.
Thanks Kate for your comment! ✨Wow, that is really interesting. And so comforting to hear that the childhood connection isn’t wasted, even if the teenage years take us far from it! 💚🌲
Such a good post! I really enjoyed the beginning where you talk about feeling one with nature. That oneness is such a special feeling and I think too many people have yet to experience it, or haven't experienced it since they were children. I also admired this line, "He finds inner peace and accepts nature as it is — and himself as he is."
Yes. The connection is never complete. It's an unfolding process, like two people walking together. Sometimes close and touching, other times apart. Cherish the closeness and hold on to that feeling when more distant. It’s the journey, the living, not the destination.
I think that children who love nature are often encouraged to move away from this as part of growing up, leading to teenagers who abandon the interest because they view it as childish. I wonder whether more teenagers would like nature if society treated that interest differently.
That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. One piece of evidence is how it’s taken for granted that young children have daily outdoor time in daycare, yet no one ‘forces’ teenagers to go outside. And it’s a big hurdle to be the first teen to spend time outside exploring when everyone else stays inside (with phones).
This is such an important concept. Thank you for offering it to the Substack community. My work is dedicated to helping people reconnect to their ancestral yearning to be with Nature, connected, rather than in Nature, which offers varying results. Your article resonates deeply within me!
Thank you for your warm comment! Nature connection is one of my interests, and I truly think a deeper connection with nature is a solution to many modern problems.
What a beautiful reflecting post Anna. I think we belong in Nature, but the modern world are trying to disatract us away from it. We can loose the connection to Nature yes, but as soon as we remember who we are, we are back on track. It`s always within us. We are born with the connection to Nature, the whole universe. I also love that you mention your urge to take care of insects when you where little. I was like that too, maybe not insects but squirrel`s I saved from time to time. And Tove Janssons book about Mummitrollet ( norwegian) I loved, and my son loved it too when he was little. Thank you for sharing this story.
I like how you put that we are born with the nature connection! That's so true. And drifting away from nature starts right away, with small things — until some of us reach the point where even walking barefoot feels like too much. I think it’s so sad.
So nice to hear that you’ve read Jansson’s book with your son too! I think all the Moomin books have so much to say for adults as well. Thanks! 💚
It's not silly! For me it's motivation. 🤗
I wish I could live closer to nature. I'm trying to find a path there.
Thanks for commenting! That’s great goal. You can start with small steps, like walks in the forest or a park. Every little moment counts!💚
I don't live near forests. 😭 Just dusty deserts and I don't love them. lol.
But I'm close to some mountains and have been trying to go hiking when I can. 💚
Oh, I’m sorry 😔 I didn’t think about the fact that not everyone lives near forests — my suggestion must have sounded silly. But it’s great that you have some mountains nearby and can go hiking! 🏔️💚
Nice post Anna. I goota havr my daily dose the wild. Cheers for sharing--
Thanks for commenting. Daily wild is indeed important! 💚🌲✨
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna. Thank you for writing it.
It's beautiful how you and your children are connecting with the Moomin novels as you read them together—how special.
Your question about whether we lose our nature connection during our teenage years because of modern life or because of how we are is a really interesting one. I once went to a talk by a social scientist who works for the RSPB (a conservation charity here in the UK), who had also identified this drop-off in teenagers. She argued that this is why early years are so important. Young adults who were connected with nature as young children are more likely to be able to come back to it and refind it later on than those who weren't so lucky.
Thanks Kate for your comment! ✨Wow, that is really interesting. And so comforting to hear that the childhood connection isn’t wasted, even if the teenage years take us far from it! 💚🌲
Such a good post! I really enjoyed the beginning where you talk about feeling one with nature. That oneness is such a special feeling and I think too many people have yet to experience it, or haven't experienced it since they were children. I also admired this line, "He finds inner peace and accepts nature as it is — and himself as he is."
Thank you! Yes, that is very good line, and I relate to that. I’ve really felt that myself too.
Yes. The connection is never complete. It's an unfolding process, like two people walking together. Sometimes close and touching, other times apart. Cherish the closeness and hold on to that feeling when more distant. It’s the journey, the living, not the destination.