Welcoming Autumn: Home in the Woods

~ wordancerblog

I spent the better part of this summer traveling up and down the east coast from Bar Harbor, Maine to Miami, Florida and everywhere in between.  Now, school has started, my 47th start of school as a teacher, my 62nd, if I count my years as a student.  That is an awful lot of time spent in school.  I know it is something to be proud of, and I love these late summer, early fall days going back to school, to my routine, to my local places. No more traveling for a little while, just the joy of relaxing at home and settling back in.

It’s not easy settling back in even though I have had a lot of practice!  My mind is a jumble, my home is a mess of summer and school paraphernalia, and there are lists upon lists upon list of things to accomplish. It takes at least the first two weeks of September to feel back home in my rightful place.  The sacks of apples and displays of assorted pumpkins at the grocery store helps.  Autumn is coming, and I can take a deep breath, find an easy rhythm, and enjoy what is unfolding before me.

I still get school jitters, still have wild anticipation mixed with some trepidation.  I alleviate this with walks in the woods. Luckily, I live in an area with lots of choices.  We have many parks, woods, and a national forest nearby.  This weekend, I strolled through a local park while my husband skateboarded. He was all swerve and energy.  I was one-step-at a time, diving into the still green of the woods for peace and solace.

As I walked deeper and deeper into the woods.  I concentrated on the green all around me. I closed my eyes and breathed in the cool air. I followed the path up a hill, noticed the oaks and maples and elms. One maple was already turning a brilliant orange, a harbinger of things to come.  I smiled, my shoulders eased, I was truly happy at this moment.  It solidified my belief that I must come into the woods often.

I’ve written many posts about the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing, what they call Shinrin-yoku, the proven way to reduce stress by spending time in the woods. I go forest bathing every season of the year, but September is especially important to me, and I make sure I walk in nature a few times each week.  When I say forest bathing, I am not talking about a regular stroll or a strenuous hike.  I’m talking about making the walk intentional, breathing and taking in nature from all my senses.  It is a deeply spiritual and relaxing experience. I feel small and in my rightful place.  I let go of all my distractions and let nature takes its course and cleanse my mind and soul. I can finally relax because I feel part of this spinning blue and green planet. 

I was surprised to learn that there is virtual forest bathing online.  It’s not what I would do instead of the real activity, but I thought it would be great for people who could not get out in nature.  My cousin, who is recovering from brain surgery and is in rehab facility, would greatly benefit from virtual forest bathing.  I’m going to try to bring the forest to her.

11 thoughts on “Welcoming Autumn: Home in the Woods”

  1. Joanne,

    If I lived near a national forest, I’d forest bay every day. As it is, I’d have to drive 30!minutes to get there. I love fall and miss walking through the back yard forests of my childhood. Teaching took so much home time that I didn’t have a chance to go into the woods as often as I wanted in those early school days. I’m curious how much out of classroom home time your job entails. Does it devour your home life as teaching English and early college classes did mine? Years ago I introduced forest bathing to students. One gave a speech on it. It was wonderful. I love the idea of virtual forest bathing for your cousin.

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    1. Thanks, Glenda! Oh – I’m still working on a good home/life balance. School has a way of permeating everything I do. It’s been rewarding – but I’m also aware that it consumes most of my days. I want to shift the balance before I retire. Writing communities help in that shift. Thank you for being a loyal reader!

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  3. Have a wonderful new school year. I’ve retired and need to put forest bathing on my list of things to do. I’m struggling to find a rhythm to my days. Your post put me in that peaceful mindset. I passed a school yard yesterday and dropped my grandson off this morning. I miss the classroom already. But not recess duty! Do you participate in Write Out with The National Writing Project?

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  4. I used to live in the woods and walked in and alongside the powerful green that turns into a magical rainbow in the fall. Your line of walking softly and taking it all in is what walking in the woods is all about. You cannot rush amidst the stumps and branches and stones; thus, we are forced to process and accept the limits and control of nature. Such as profound post today. I pray for healing for your cousin and a good year for you.

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  5. You inspire me to look into this. My sister in law speaks of it often, about grounding and forest bathing for more balance through the soles of our feet getting the earth’s energy. I need this force in my life – – what a lovely ritual to instill peace!

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  6. If I don’t do this for awhile, I feel out of kilter with the world. It’s definitely a mood booster. When I went to Stowe, Vermont, the resort had a zen garden maze. I would go out in the morning and walk the circular maze. I would like to find out close to where I live. I wish I could make one at my school. It would do everyone a world of good.

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  7. I appreciate that despite my blog would not allow comments, you sent me one at Two Writing Teachers. That was well appreciated. I hope you did not mind that I added your comment to my slice of life now that I think I fixed the issue. Congratulations to your longevity as a teacher. Thank you for the information on Forest Bathing. It sounds so spiritually refreshing.

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  8. Thanks, Carol. Your words were so thoughtful and insightful that I felt I must respond. They moved me to tears. And yes – I highly recommend forest or beach bathing. I also walk along the shore here in New Jersey, especially in the fall when the crowds are gone.

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