With the stresses of the world mounting, I have found myself encompassed by worries. All of which are tied to the artificial, arbitrary, and relentless nature of modern life. People say humans have lost connection with nature, and I believe it is true. We have constructed a culture in which analogs are our last tie to the primitive drive for survival. There are no more predators; just bureaucracy, police, car crashes, and the dread of falling through the cracks of society. The workplace is our proving ground, and our communities have been digitized.
Lately, all of this has been getting to me. It has been frequently contextualized by the variety of “sustainability” classes I have been taking in a way that makes it both easier and harder to be complacent. Politics, social justice, environmental justice, world health, and other issues have been simmering, all to seemingly reach a boil in my lifetime and at a stage where I feel most vulnerable to the effects. This worry and stress has condensed recently, bearing likely connection to finals week, and has led to my desire to escape to a place of comfort: nature. I have decided to use this opportunity to reflect on my relationship with nature, keeping in mind the concepts discussed in my Environmental Communications class, COM 150.
I will start with the notion of comfort. The societal norm views nature as a rugged landscape separate from humans, who rank at the apex and surpass all other natural beings, existing in a class outside of nature’s hierarchy. Nature is also viewed to be both deserving of protection and begging to be conquered. With these views prevalent in modern culture, how can nature be comforting? I feel that it is in part due to the separation of humans and nature.
I am guilty of using nature for the purposes of escapism. I battle with myself during times of uncertainty, asking, “how much do I care about nature, and how much do I just need to be away from toilsome society?” This question does not necessarily indicate the actual value I assign to nature, and rather, is an internal conflict regarding my morals. Regardless of why I escape to nature, I have developed a legitimate empathy connected to my experiences and subsequent knowledge.
When in nature, I have far less concern for the material world. I feel a sense of freedom, especially when I am able to find isolation. The Natural world cares little about your identity. It does, however, reward curiosity and respect. If you travel light and look closely, nature will show you some of its secrets. I feel that the observations I have made in nature have helped contextualize the world around me and have helped me learn about myself. The sense of comfort comes from this erasure of worry and the opportunity for exploration.
It is challenging to be honest without a sense of comfort. The lack of judgment from nature creates an opportunity for honest introspection. I have found this space to be beneficial to my interpersonal relationships as well. My most vulnerable discussions with people close to me often happen in nature. Under the right circumstances, it can be a perfect place to deepen a connection with yourself, others, and nature itself.
The relationship I have developed with nature throughout my life has led to a concern for the wellbeing of Earth’s natural systems. It is no mystery that anthropogenic activity has led to the degradation of countless natural systems and the changing climate. I am embedded in the modern systems that are causing this damage and am inherently part of the problem. I feel that my relationship with nature is often one-sided as I experience many benefits but contribute little to the planet’s well-being. Because of this, I often feel like a manifestation of contradiction. It isn’t for lack of effort; the damage is inescapable. I am limited by time and financial resources, and I buy what feels like an obscene amount of plastic. Aside from this, I also struggle with the impacts of activities I enjoy that bring me to nature.
For example, the activity of mountain biking. I go on 1–4 rides a week and am responsible for substantial erosion. I work at a local bike shop and witness firsthand the massive resources necessary and the equal amount of non-degradable, often toxic, waste. Further, I am subscribing to an industry of exploitation, lack of inclusivity, and relentless bro-culture (kill me). It’s admittedly awful, but it helps break the mundanity of life.
I was briefly concerned about the impact of photography as well. I thought the photos I took could be exploitative and contribute to the cultural theme of nature for vanity. I concluded that this wasn’t so, as I do not engage with social media. I share photos with close friends and family, who will appreciate them as a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature.
For the purpose of offering visual aid to my relationship with nature, and in total contradiction to the statement I just made, here are three photos I took:
To conclude, my drive to pursue the topics of environmental sustainability stems from a long-going relationship with nature. It can be muddy and feel selfish at times, especially when I rely on it for escapism. However, the more I bring it closer to my day-to-day life, the less I feel I am solidifying its separation. I hope to develop a stronger understanding of my place in nature and how I can best serve it while being respectful and inclusive to my fellow humans. Environmentalism is just one aspect of the many challenges necessary to improve the wellbeing of the planet. Hopefully, as people recognize the flaws of modern society and reconnect with nature, we can heal our wounds as people and a planet.
