For those just tuning in, this monthly series gives readers a look into some of my simple terrestrial - and sometimes aquatic - lifestyle choices that are currently lighting me up.
I get a lot of questions about what I am eating, reading, watching, wearing, doing, being fulfilled by, etc; when I am not off on a wild adventure. So, I thought I could share in a creatively ecological way - through using sensory and seasonal dialogue.
This month I am back in Aotearoa, enjoying the late summer with a mix of gentle rain and blistering hot sunshine.
Touch
Osmosis Renew Retinal Serum - it is a splurge, but a game changer for reversing the sun damage on my skin - shout out to Emma, my incredible esthetician.
Sight
Reading - a lot of reading has been from my Ecopsychology certificate course (shout out to Pacifica for choosing me for their full ride scholarship)
Ecopsychology and the Interpretation of Narco-Deforestation. Andy Fisher, 2018:
There is no truly ecological, non-alienated way to interpret the subject matter of ecopsychology without reintegrating Psyche, Nature, and Society; and certainly no way to participate in the conversation about social and ecological justice. Consider the phenomenon of “narco-deforestation.” This refers to deforestation in Central American (Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala) that results from laundering drug trafficking money through such land-use-change activities as cattle ranching, agro-industrial oil-palm plantations, and illegal timber extraction. Forest losses deemed likely to be “narco-driven” are “concentrated in areas of high conservation importance,” representing “between 30 and 60% of all forest clearing within national and/or international protected area” (Sesnie et al. 2107: 16). “Indigenous and peasant groups,” furthermore, “report being powerless against the bribes, property fraud, and brutality dispossessing them of their lands” and livelihoods (McSweeney et al. 2014: 490). The topic of narco-deforestation obviously fits within the new field of “conservation criminology” (Clayton & Myers 2015). From an ecopsychological perspective, however, it is noteworthy that 86% of the cocaine trafficked globally moves northward through Central America to North American consumers (Sesnie et al. 2017). And as psychologist Bruce Alexander claims, the best way to interpret addiction (as to cocaine) is as a defense against the pain of psychosocial disintegration, the universal sense of disconnection, experienced within the capitalist world. As he says, “Free-market society can no more be addiction-free than it can be free of intense competition, income disparity, environmental destruction, unequal access to life-saving medical care, or dishonest business practices” (Alexander 2008: 64). Narco-deforestation, then—a phenomenon obviously combining social and ecological injustices (injustices against nature)—can be productively interpreted in terms of a Psyche-Society-Nature complex that includes the suffering, dislocation, criminality, and eco-destruction built into the capitalist-colonial world-ecological system.
Shades of Darkness - one point of deep learning was about how racism/slavery and soil degradation are linked.
Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation - scientific mental health benefits of nature immersion.
Uncommon Gratitude: On giving thanks to wounded places - environmental art and poetry as a form of activism.
Emotional Anatomy - I love this quote about feeling vs emotion:
“Feeling is a by-product of cellular metabolism, pulsation, and tubal peristalsis. Emotions are the organized gross behavioral responses. Emotions have direction and intent, a logic of their own. They are organismic statements about our state and what to do about it. If we are sad, crying gives us relief and brings consolation from others. Anger is an attempt to get rid of an irritant and warn others to keep away. Fear is a statement about danger as well as an act of seeking help. Emotions thus seek to change outer and inner situations.”
Watching (I have not been watching as much lately to be more present off technology outside of work and to improve my sleep patterns)
Television shows:
One Day - not much of a sucker for romance, but beautifully made. Love the British tone and amazing actors (oh hi, White Lotus season two throwback), while each episode is an exquisite miniature set-piece.
Movies
Pierrot le Fou - Classic 1965 French new wave cinema at its finest!
Hear
Podcasts
Expanded by To Be Magnetic
The recent TBM episode was great for unblocking and reprogramming. It was with chief content officer Jessica Gill, who articulately described how to take aligned action for changing career paths and diving into the energy of self-trust.
Wellness Her Way
I loved this science-packed wellness episode about the importance of taking soil based probiotics - I personally take Megaspore Biotics. Some important takeaways: 1. Make sure to buy probiotics with strains that start with “bacillus.” 2. So many companies are putting bacteria into petri dishes and carelessly blending new strains that aren’t good for our gut. So, your gut could be getting worse from certain products! 3. The soil itself is where we should be getting out bacteria from, so let’s go back to source. Zach Bush talks about this concept as well.
Top Spotify music songs this month:
Don’t Forget Me - Maggie Rogers
Close to You - Dayglow
Right Down the Line - Gerry Rafferty
Smell
Ocean salt
Summer fruit and refreshing breezes
Taste
Horsetail and oatstraw infusions - for adrenals and skin
Enzymedica Digest Gold and Lypo Gold digestive enzymes
Louisa and Freedom plums
March Banana Honey Nice Cream recipe
3 frozen bananas
1 tbsp black tahini
1 to 2 tbsp honey
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
Living on this nice cream right now - I promise you won’t be sorry. Blend up the recipe. Feel free to add additional ingredients of choice. Some ideas I have been playing with are NorCal Organics pea protein powder, lavender, chocolate chips and mulberries.
Proprioception (trust muscle)
Transcendental meditation twice a day
Really leaning into strong boundaries with people
Giving away items instead of selling as I pack up the house to be sold
Equilibrioception (keeping balance)
Chi machine at least once a day
Continuous nature exposure
Somavedic in the bedroom (discount code Molly10)
Kinaesthesia (utilizing movement)
Thermoception (regulate temperature - what I am wearing)
Vintage flower dress, barefoot, Round Metal Ray Ban sunglasses, Hair Edit Pastel Snap Hair Clips (just at home to keep my curly short hair out of my face)
Chronoception (pass time)
Planning documentary work
Spending time with witches
Quick escape to Wellington (thinking of moving back here) - filled with concerts, long hilly walks, food goodness, art events, thrifting, catching up with friends, wandering the city with headphones, botanical garden, film photography and exploring my favorite spots.
Here are my current March elemental non-negotiables I am finding nourishing:
Earth
Incremental sunbathing (Ozone hole is over New Zealand, so slow and steady)
Water
Long swims at Manu Bay with community crew
Fire
Organizing work travel this year, getting ahead on paid work contracts, and prepping to teach a workshop at Earth Beat
Air
Allowing spontaneity into my days
Read more on my how to connect to the four elements article.