In episode 23 of Nature Therapy Online, I take a walk around my house looking for signs of other life forms. What might I find here—and who, I ask, is living with you without you knowing about it?! Click on the slim black player above to listen. 

In this week’s ecotherapy exercise, I decided to try an exercise that I am often inviting others to do, yet haven’t done in a focused way myself before. As I encounter signs and sounds of other life forms here within my home, it strikes me how much of my personal history is tied in with my responses to these life forms. 

How do you feel about the idea of small creatures living in or around your home? Does it frighten you, creep you out, or do you welcome it? What kind of reaction might you have if you knew that a beautiful songbird liked to visit your windowsill, or if you saw a rat in your rubbish bin? 

Our responses to all ecotherapy exercises tie in very strongly with our personal histories, as well as our cultural attitudes towards certain animals and plants. When trying out this ecotherapy exercise for yourself, I’d recommend questioning your responses and looking into where they might be coming from. There are no rights or wrongs with this, it’s a simple lesson in allowing nature to teach us about our own minds and emotions. Nature therapy is not just about finding peace and comfort in nature; it is also about learning about ourselves (and facing uncomfortable feelings at times too). 

If you do try this exercise out, I would LOVE to hear from you about your experiences; please write me an email, or post a comment below. And remember, I love to share your own nature stories and ideas on the podcast, so feel free to get in touch about any aspect of this week’s episode.

I do hope that you enjoy this week’s ecotherapy radio show folks. If you are in a position to support the Nature Therapy Online podcast financially with a small regular donation, please consider becoming a patron of the podcast. Rewards include nature-inspired tarot readings and shout-outs on the podcast. You can also get access to our friendly monthly online ‘nature chat’ video-call event, where a small group of nature lovers support each other’s ecotherapy practice and discuss themes from nature (I also lead a meditation). 

Take care of yourself for now folks,

Green smiles,

Stephen x