Hello and a happy Friday to you,
As I write to you on Thursday, the weather can’t make its mind up. Bright sunshine with blue skies is alternating with dark angry clouds and pouring rain. I’m currently floating around a bit with my main base in Kent and on the days that I’m here, I’ve made a vow to go for at least one walk in the woods every day. This afternoon, the gap-in-the rain sun beckoned me from the house and I strolled out welly-clad with a light non-waterproof summer jacket and my new sunglasses, recently purchased from Margate. I made my way to my favourite tree-surrounded bench and did a quick bit of writing. As I wandered back along the path home, the heavens opened and heavy rain pelted down, as rays of mid-afternoon sunshine filtered through the verdant leaves.
The thing I love about being caught in the rain is the way it brings me to the present moment and reminds me I’m alive. When someone I knew died towards the end of last year, I remember being outside in the pouring rain the day after and just being grateful I was there in a healthy body to feel it. I’m not used to being out in the rain and bright sun at the same time and I felt in awe of experiencing that combination while surrounded by flourishing trees, twinkling bird song and a carpet of bluebells. I was struck by how nature continued as the raindrops flowed from the sky, as many humans probably ran for shelter.
It might have been the sun that tempted me out of the house but the rain was OK too. The saying, “When it rains look for rainbows” popped into my head. I also remembered how Beth Stephens, a brilliant ecotherapist who I follow on Instagram, recently posted about how spending time in nature when its uncomfortable can help us sit with more challenging emotions.
Splashing through puddles thinking I was alone, I was then blessed with a visit from a rabbit, squirrels and then a dog bounding through the bluebells. As I reached the final path, a low lying rainbow had appeared on the path in front of me, a phenomenon I have not experienced before. I walked through it.
And now I am home, warm, dry and looking out the window at blue sky for the time being.
Ah, I promised you some personal news. As mentioned in my last newsletter a few things are bubbling away since I sold my flat, left London after 10 years and moved in with my mum. The part I am ready to share now is that I decided to leave my full-time job, as for me this year has very much been about clearing space to allow a new path to unfold. As of this week, I am now freelancing, but definitely not full-time. I have some exciting work in the pipeline and I’m also looking forward to time and space to be in nature, continue my learnings and personal development, explore and travel.
Also, I am feeling very drawn to move into therapeutic work in the long run and I am in the process of choosing the right path for me with regard to that.
If you came here for good news stories, here’s the bit for you.
Uplifting News Stories
Race Across The World made us closer, say finalists Monique and Ladi | BBC News
Ecuador strikes world's biggest 'debt for nature' deal to protect the Galápagos Islands | EuroNews
Features Worth Sharing
Cultivating Wisdom: Ten practical strategies for personal and social development | Psychology Today
What would the trees say? | To Hear The Trees Speak (new Substack on the block)
19 ways to feel more connected to others | The Shoulds
You Can’t Share Everything with Everyone | Nedra Nuggets
The way people split the bill can tell you a lot about how they view friendship | The i
Things That Have Brought Me Joy In The Past Few Weeks
Looking after a cuddly cat called Hazel. I made a reel about her. Animals bring so much love. I’ve also met some great new dogs lately.
I looked after her while I was doing the incredible Transitions course at Re:Vision in London, where I met some fantastic people and gained new insight about myself. More on that another time.
Spending quality time with the beautiful children in my life. From my two nephews and niece to my friends’ lovely kids and new babies arriving.
A weekend away in Frome with friends to meet a five-week-old baby. Will write more about Frome another time in a more travel-based post.
Swimming in the sea with a friend at Margate tidal pool. So invigorating to be immersed in the cold water.
Finding ice cream in a cone that was both dairy-free and gluten-free at Follow The Swirl, a new ice cream place in Margate
Bluebells. An abundance of bluebells. Do get out and see some if you can. Also, went forgaing for wild garlic and made pesto.
Showing a dear friend my favourite places in the woods, including the bench where I write. She took this pic of me.
A confession: Last newsletter, I said I was limiting the screen time on my phone but I’ve noticed in the absence of full-time work and my eagerness to connect with others and record my love for life that my screen time is creeping up. Do you have any tips for knocking that on the head and using the time more productively? Please let me know in the comments below. Any tips gratefully received.
OK, that’s it for now.
Have a lovely weekend,
BB x
Lovely post, Becky! I too love this 'April' weather in May. Dark skies interjected with sunshine and the reward of rainbows. And there's been something special about the rain recently!
Thanks Becky - Inspiring stuff
Getting out and appreciating nature through the seasons, is so good for mental health and well being - even in the rain!