Finding Clarity Through Nature: The Path to Rediscovering Reality

The name "Rediscover Reality" came to me during a walk in the woods, about six months after Jonathan died. I was struggling to make sense of everything—the loss, the anger, the questions that had no answers.

And then, surrounded by trees and autumn leaves, something shifted. Not dramatically. Not like a revelation. Just... quietly.

I realized that recovery—whether from grief, addiction, trauma, or simply from being disconnected from ourselves—is not about becoming someone new. It is about rediscovering who we truly are beneath everything that has happened to us.

What "Reality" Really Means

When we think about addiction or crisis, we often hear people described as "escaping reality." But I have come to believe that the opposite is true:

People struggling with addiction are often trying to escape intense, overwhelming internal states—trauma, pain, emptiness, fear. The substance is not an escape from reality; it is an attempt to manage a reality that has become unbearable.

Recovery, then, is about rediscovering a reality that is bearable. One where we can be present with ourselves, with our feelings, with our experiences—even the difficult ones.

The Role of Nature in Healing

After Jonathan died, I found myself drawn to the woods. Not in any structured or intentional way at first—I just needed to be somewhere that felt bigger than my grief.

Nature offered something I desperately needed:

Perspective

When you are standing among trees that have been growing for decades, your pain does not disappear—but it finds its place in something larger.

Presence

It is hard to ruminate on the past or worry about the future when you are focused on your footsteps on a trail, the sound of water, the way light filters through leaves.

Non-Judgment

Nature does not ask you to be anything other than what you are. There is no performance, no expectation, no need to explain yourself.

Rhythm and Cycles

Watching seasons change reminds us that growth, loss, dormancy, and renewal are all natural parts of life. Nothing stays the same forever—not pain, not joy, not any feeling.

Forest Bathing and Grounding Practices

Research supports what many of us instinctively know: spending time in nature has measurable benefits for mental health, stress reduction, and overall well-being.

"Forest bathing" (shinrin-yoku in Japanese) is the practice of immersing yourself in a natural environment with intention and mindfulness. It is not about exercise or reaching a destination—it is about being present with the natural world.

Simple Ways to Connect with Nature in Recovery

Even if you do not have access to vast wilderness, you can practice grounding through nature:

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise Outdoors:

• 5 things you can see (clouds, leaves, birds, shadows)
• 4 things you can touch (tree bark, grass, a rock, the breeze)
• 3 things you can hear (wind, rustling leaves, birds, water)
• 2 things you can smell (earth, flowers, rain, pine)
• 1 thing you can taste (bring water or tea, or simply notice the taste in your mouth)

Barefoot Walking: If it is safe and comfortable, walk barefoot on grass or earth. The physical sensation helps anchor you in the present moment.

Sit Spot Practice: Find one place in nature (even a park bench) and return to it regularly. Notice how it changes with seasons, weather, time of day. This practice builds connection and teaches us about impermanence.

Mind-Body-Spirit Integration

For me, recovery has never been just about abstaining from substances or managing symptoms. It has been about addressing all parts of who we are:

Mind: Understanding our thoughts, patterns, and beliefs Body: Feeling our physical sensations and learning to regulate our nervous system Spirit: Connecting to something larger than ourselves—whether that is nature, community, purpose, or however you understand it

Nature touches all three. It calms our nervous system (body), clears our mind, and connects us to something greater than our individual pain (spirit).

The Work Continues

I still walk in the woods regularly. Some days, it feels peaceful. Other days, I am crying the whole time. But I am there. I am present. I am rediscovering reality—one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

If you are struggling—with grief, addiction, trauma, or simply feeling lost—I encourage you to find your way outside. You do not need to do anything special. Just be there. Let nature hold you the way it has held countless others before you.

Practical Invitation

This week, try this:

1. Find 10 minutes to be outside (a park, your yard, even sitting by a window with it open)
2. Put away your phone
3. Notice three things: something you see, something you hear, something you feel
4. Breathe

That is it. That is where rediscovering reality begins.

---

This post is part of an ongoing series exploring different aspects of recovery, healing, and personal growth. If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who might need it.