The concept of REWILDING

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, 'rewilding' in English stands for

"the process of protecting an environment and returning it to its natural state".

While this term is mostly used in connection to natural environments, it can and possibly should be applied to humans too - to OUR nature. In the modern world, our lives are often tamed by default with numerous societal norms, office work, disconnection from nature and the sources of our food, along with pre-made forms of entertainment, etc. I think it's fair to say that we as a species have domesticated ourselves.

However, once a person starts asking the right questions, it becomes evident that it is not our fullest, richest, most alive state of being. This takes us to rewilding which is a holistic approach to living and in part aims to return to simpler, more authentic and intuitive ways of life. It's also about rewilding your own nature - finding and allowing yourself to embody your own wild, authentic side, and creating space for it. It's about sourcing power through simplifying. And gaining inner peace through integrating own shadows and unresolved emotions, traumas and stress. It's about breaking free from stigmas, biases, and harmful aspects of one's surroundings and lifestyle. And it's also about deepening connections, feeling a sense of belonging, and ultimately truly understanding what it means to be a human on this planet.

In short, rewilding is:

re: returning, coming back (in this context from the word 'return')

wild: essentially beyond domestication

Rewilding is also a spectrum - you don't have to return to the hunter-gatherer type of living, however, there are many things you can do to slightly rewild yourself in a way that's suitable for you. What has tremendously helped me, is asking:

What works against my natural instincts in my daily life?

First, look at what you consume, as it literally creates who you are:

• How clean is my food and water? Do I know where it comes from? Is it seasonal and fits with my latitude?

• What beauty and healthcare products do I use? How many and what are their contents? How could I optimize my well-being in a way that makes me less attached to these?

• What information do I consume through my interactions, education and entertainment? Might it be conditioning me? It's always worth filtering what comes into your field - this goes for books, music, people, movies, podcasts...

Then, follow with an audit of your connections and mindset:

• Am I authentic in my self-expression? Do I set boundaries, speak my mind and allow myself to BE? Nature therapy is one of the tools that has helped me embrace my own nature.

• Do I hear and listen to myself? Do I trust and follow my inner knowing? How could I strengthen my bond with myself?

• How are my relationships with the people around me? Are they generic, trustworthy and deep? What could be done to make them even more so?

• How is my connection to the land I live on? To nature in general? Nature is such a teacher and healer - anyone who's disconnected is truly missing out. Here's where Nature therapy can prove to be beneficial too.

• What is my biggest motivation to grow, and move forward? Is it love? Or maybe it's fear, money or spite? Are my values aligned with my being and my actions? How could I work with this?

As you see, it's a lot about asking questions. And I believe a sensible human will indeed question everything - not obsessively, but out of curiosity and from the standpoint of love.

But I have to warn you: once you take deliberate steps towards rewilding, you also 'risk' with the possibility of becoming more independent, confident, resilient and abundant in your own power, authenticity and magic. And for some people, these changes might be triggering. However, remember that you're doing it for you, not for them. For me personally, it has been a years-long journey and I cannot believe the freedom and healing I've found. It's a new taste for life! That's why this concept is so significant to me.

So I urge you to unleash your domesticated body, mind and spirit - if even for a moment. Allow your hair to get tangled by the wind, your bare feet to touch the ground, your skin to get sun-kissed. Light up a bonfire, pick some wild berries or listen to the river stream telling you an ancient story. Let out a primal growl or howl to the Moon.

Whatever it takes, whatever it means to you  - REWILD!

I urge you to

REWILD yourself

REWILD your soul and your spirit

REWILD your habits

REWILD your relationships

REWILD your body

REWILD your thoughts and assumptions

REWILD your life