Today, I decided that it had been a long time since I’d gone anywhere green. My mental health would definitely benefit from some fresh air and vibrant wildlife.
After a quick google of local country parks I found one about twenty minutes away that I had never heard of before.
Before long I was arriving at one of the little car parks next to this intriguing venue. It had an activity playground next to it which was bustling with families and a sweet little cafe advertising cakes and such like.
A walkway of peaceful nature.
Seeing several possible walkways I chose one to explore and was soon crossing a cute bridge over a very sunny lake. Fishermen and women sat nestled in small nooks scattered around the edge of the lake. Meanwhile parents led children around a trail, in search of certain animals.
Ducks and swans happily hanging out together.
Just over the little bridge was a bird watcher’s cabin which gave us closer access to some waterside sights. Despite being a stone’s throw away from a busy playground, everything was calm and tranquil.
The wildlife was colourful and abundant.
Some lovely benches were placed at intervals around the two beautiful lakes. Some of then were engraved with messages to loved ones no longer with us. Being a favourite spot for local fishers, there was even a large wooden carving of a fish in the middle of the park.
This peculiar fish was a talking point.
This was a short post to celebrate my first nature walk in months. I look forward to more days out this summer.
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With recent developments in our climate illustrating just how problematic global warming is becoming, I thought it would be good to stop and think a bit about our own environmental awareness. An incredible heatwave struck parts of Canada this week, leading to destructive wild fires burning down villages. As well as this, Lapland hit its hottest temperature for more than a century, with a staggering 33.6 degrees C.
Can we get our ecosystems back on track?
In this article, I have posed some questions which will help us to contemplate how well we engage with climate change and whether or not we can do more to get involved. Small changes can help us to be more eco-friendly and ensure that we all play a part in digging the world out of this mess. As usual, my own answers are found under each question and I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Do you think about food miles when you shop?
Lately this has become something that I really concentrate on. I often use a local farm shop for vegetables and when I don’t do this I look carefully at the produce available in the supermarket and hand pick things that come from within the UK. Replacing bananas with pears is one example of how I have made small, but noticeable changes. I also have cut down on the amount of meat that I eat. Although I love meat, I have now become used to cooking vegetarian meals several times a week. For example I now have vegetable pasta where I might have previously had chicken in it.
How do you get around?
I made a conscious decision, after flying back from a crazy holiday in Vegas back in 2014, that I would no longer fly on holiday, using planes. Having read that planes pump noxious gases directly into the upper atmosphere, contributing more directly to global warming, I made an effort to plan trips that involved going by train or cruise ship. Here is a blog article that I wrote about this:https://jamieadstories.blog/2021/06/13/5-reasons-to-visit-switzerland/
I have also reduced the amount of times that I use my car each week. Unfortunately, work still requires me to drive as it is in a different town, but the journey is only seven miles. If I travel further I consistently use the railway or car share (though since Covid came along I have hardly had reason to travel anywhere further than twenty miles away).
Have you taken interest in climate change media?
By this I mean have you read articles about the problems associated with global warming, or perhaps watched a documentary? I know plenty of people who immediately switch off when you mention this subject and refuse to even consider the possibility. Others simply talk about it being inevitable and suggest that they can have very little impact on such a big problem, so they may as well leave it to someone else.
I admit that while governments are much more proactive in this area since Biden took over and the G7 countries started pushing for more electrics cars and less pollution, there is still much to be done. Pleasantly, this week the UK government announced funding for some car companies to create more electric cars in future. Hopefully we will eventually catch up with Norway where 53% of new cars are fully electric.
Lately I have been researching this topic and joined an informative forum called, “We Don’t Have Time.’ I also found the recent BBC ‘A Year To Change The World’ documentary by Greta Thunberg incredibly helpful. Her social media is full of evidence and research which is usually bang up to date and often quite alarming.
‘Can’t see the wood for the trees?’
What sort of waste do you create?
Although many of us use the recycling bin and food waste depository, some of us are still very wasteful when it comes to home decor and clothing. How many of us like buying new clothes just for the sake of it or to follow a trend, instead of because the old ones are actually worn out?
I rarely buy new clothes until I can see signs of wear and tear. When I get rid of them I mostly use a local recycling company who sends old clothes to poorer communities. Of course they don’t accept everything, especially if there are small stains on items, which for me often stem from spilt pasta sauce.
There are so many things that I could talk about here but perhaps these have already got you thinking just a little bit about how much consideration you give to climate change. So many people say that they are worried about it and like posts about the topic but do very little to actually impact upon the problem and reduce its spiral of destruction.
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After a long year of lockdowns and stress related to an international pandemic, lots of people are feeling deflated and finding themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. The confusion and anxiety caused by a Covid-fearing world has left many people scratching their heads and completely out of sync with their families and lifestyles. This article is all about how to get motivated and back to something similar to ‘normal’.
Many are deflated after having experienced the effects of the pandemic firsthand, either by suffering from Covid, knowing others who were suffering from it or simply having their work worlds shaken by the effects of closures, furlough and financial instability.
Relationships have been strained and friendships have fizzled out as people have got used to living within bubbles and forgotten how to socialise in extended circles. Mental health has been affected and people are asking lots of questions about the world we now find ourselves inhabiting.
Here are my 5 ways to get yourself going again and reintroduce yourself to the wider world, by building your confidence and setting yourself realistic goals.
1) Reach out.
Too many friendships have been destroyed in the past year. Destroyed due to separation because friends have not been able to see one another. Friendships have also been strained as society pressures have been on and some have become upset with each other due to different attitudes to lockdown, mask wearing and general levels of cooperation with government measures.
We’ve all been there – One of our best mates has been putting pictures on social media of themselves meeting up with groups of people or socialising during lockdown while we have followed the rules and missed out on similar opportunities. These types of things have made friends less communicative and, coupled with distance, have impacted upon how much time people have been spending catching up with those people that matter to them the most.
Let’s not let these gripes grow. Instead we need to bite the bullet and make that vital move to reconnect with these important people. These incredible friends who would no doubt love to hear from us and rebuild the connections we used to enjoy so much. Reaching out is like re-wiring and can strengthen bonds as well as having positive affects on friends at a time when the world is unpredictable and knowing someone is standing in your corner can make such a difference to self esteem.
2) Get out!
It goes without saying that a change of scene has a massive effect on the way that you feel about yourself. It enables self-reflection and enables you to shake off the cobwebs that can otherwise swamp you if you allow yourself to fester in your own juices by staying at home all of the time. Of course, many have had no choice but to isolate and stay at home, but now that we have reduced restrictions, why not take time to go for a wildlife walk, a cycle into the hills or simply just a trundle to the local pond to feed the ducks?
3) Stay tuned in.
Music plays an important role in the lives of so many of us. We all have songs that resonate deeply and take us back to much happier times. Whether it’s ditties from childhood, pop music from our clubbing years or an instrumental that reminds us of a fond memory such as a holiday or special birthday party, music is often a cure to the doldrums and a stimulus which leads to a more positive mindset.
Having said that, the type of music which can motivate you will vary greatly from one individual to another. Obviously. So pull out that CD from the past which you could always rely on when you needed uplifting. Or explore new bands, listen to the Opera and maybe even get a meditation app which plays calming tunes to help get you in the zone and forget your stresses for a while. Switching off is the new remedy for overly dwelling on things. When you are stuck in a spiral of frustrations, meaningful tunes can settle you, calm you and even give you more enthusiasm for your everyday life.
4) Activate!
As lockdown has stifled our chances to go to the theatre, watch our favourite sports and attend festivals in person, some of us have got used to doing less out and about. Now is a perfect time to initiate a forward-thinking strategy and start finding ways to involve yourself in a new hobby. Those acting classes you always dreamt about could now become a reality. You always dreamed about riding horses? Book a session in and make learning to ride a personal commitment. From joining a book club to learning how to ski, make those ambitions start to become real and blow away those cobwebs by engaging with new people and making more friends as well as taking away that fulfilment that comes naturally with becoming a part of a new group of learning to make the most of your creativity.
5) Do something positive!
Making a difference is one of the best things anyone can do to improve not only their own lives, but also generate knock-on effects which could benefit others. For me, the Climate Crisis is important and problematic. I have already made simple changes to the way that I travel, to make sure that I am trying hard to reduce the impact my moving around has on the planet. I have decided no longer to fly anywhere and so actively find other ways to get around, concentrating on trains and buses while minimising the amount of trips I use my car for. It’s a small change to my routine and takes a little effort and sometimes more expenditure, but I feel positive about it.
Perhaps you can do something positive within your local community. Whether supporting a library or getting involved in a litter pick, looking after a protected woodland or offering to teach kids how to cycle safely (as a cycling proficiency trainer). Just making that effort to do something productive will inspire you, energise you and give you a sense of achievement.
I hope that you enjoyed this blog and perhaps might consider following my blog for more content. For another of my articles check out this.
Enjoy nature. Get out and about while showing consideration.
