I’m willing to bet it didn’t arrive while you were juggling emails, chasing deadlines, or knee-deep in spreadsheets. More likely, it surfaced in the shower, on a peaceful walk, or while daydreaming out the window. (In my husband’s case, it’s usually at 2am when inspiration trumps over sleep!)
The image, of calm control, can often belie the frantic paddling going on below the surface! How often do we try for the same image for ourselves, to be that swan? Our social media portrays happy, carefree and close to perfect lives, filled with joy. Visually, we put on a 'brave face' to all but a few. We portray ourselves at work as independent, capable people that can manage everything that comes our way. But really, how true is all of that?
In recent years, forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, as it’s known in Japan, has moved from being a quiet wellness trend to a globally recognised practice. But many still wonder: Is there real science behind it? Or is it simply a poetic way to enjoy a walk in the woods?
In such a busy world, where we ask so much of ourselves and others, stillness has become a rare and rather radical, act of self-care. Between constant notifications and being always available, the hum of daily life and caring for others, we can find ourselves unmoored, anxious, or simply just... tired.
