Hi! I'm Jess
Sign Up to be notified of upcoming Forest Bathing + Nature Therapy Sessions. I share about Forest and Nature Therapy, nature-based wellness, creative practices, and holistic well-being.
My favorite way to do autumn
Hello Reader,I hope you've been enjoying this roller coaster ride to autumn temps! 🎢 🥵 🥶 😂 In a single week we went from highs in the upper 90s to highs in the 50s, and suddenly I’m reaching for my favorite hoodie, hot tea, blankets, and all the cozy things. This time of year always makes me want to settle in a little more. My journals and fountain pens migrate back to the coffee table, I start lighting candles again, and I find myself craving slower mornings and more time at home. But I’ve...
October is calling us outside
Happy October, Reader! Fair warning: lots of links in this one. 😂 Between Drawtober, this weekend’s free event, and a few upcoming Forest Bathing dates, there’s a lot I want to make sure you don’t miss. If you're just here for the Nature Connection Invitation - feel free to scroll to the bottom! One of the things I love most about this time of year is how much my creativity starts waking back up. I feel like I'm very focused on physical activity and movement in the spring and summer and...
A simple way to step into autumn 🥮
Happy Autumn, Reader! Last night, 12 of us gathered in Forest Park to celebrate the Autumn Equinox, and it was such a lovely evening. We spent time noticing the changing landscape both around us and within. We celebrated the harvests from the year together, wrote down what we were ready to release on paper that dissolved in water, and shared some true tastes of the season: delicious chai tea, pomegranate, apples, and pumpkin bread. We laughed together, spent some time in quiet reflection, and...
This 126-year-old painting got me 🖼️
Happy Wednesday, Reader! I’m currently a little obsessed with digging through vintage and public domain works of art, and I found this beautiful piece from around 1900 while poking around one of the archives. Maybe it’s because we live in a world of instant gratification and fast-paced content, but looking through old paintings and drawings has me thinking about how long we’ve been doing things the analog way. As we move into the fast paced 'ber' months, I’m finding myself really appreciating...
Does this stress me or strengthen me?
Hello Reader! Back-to-school vibes have me finding a new rhythm, and after summer I’m feeling ready for a bit more structure. For me, that looks like laying out my gym clothes the night before and making it to Planet Fitness before my day gets going. September, I’m focusing on physical strength and resilience. Past experience tells me I know this works for me as long as I’m consistent. Not perfect. CONSISTENT. In addition to focusing on getting stronger, I’m also challenging myself to see how...
Your brain on nature: Attention Restoration Theory
Pre-S! September Sundays in Nature starts THIS Sunday, and there’s one more reason to join us for the full month: purchase the 4-session pass by September 6 and your $55 ticket to the Autumn Equinox Celebration is included FREE. If you’ve already purchased the 4-session pass, you’re already in. 🍂 Grab your September pass → Happy September Reader! Although St. Louis seems to be celebrating by heading right back into the 100s. 🥵 So much for all my romantic thoughts about crisp mornings and the...
The case for experiencing the seasons 🍂
Good Morning Reader! Somehow, here we are at the last weekend of August. I've been noticing little signs of the season beginning to shift lately, have you? I'm not talking full on FALL fall (let’s not get carried away - it’s supposed to be a heat index in the 100s here next week 🥵) but I'm starting to notice things like the light changing and the days feeling a little shorter. One thing I always love to see that tells me we’re on the brink of autumn is plants that are half going to seed and...
Why do we stop doing the things that help us?
Hi Reader, I've been in a bit of a funk this week and I think I know at least part of the reason why. I've stopped walking. Not completely, but after being really consistent with my morning walks through June, July and early August, I've had about a week of very spotty walks. The funny thing is, the heat finally broke. You'd think that would make me want to get outside even more, instead, something shifted. I missed a day. Then another. I broke the streak, and for some reason I've been having...
The spiritual side of my nature practice
Hello! Happy Sunday Reader. I'm here to share something a little more personal than I usually do today. I don't talk about spirituality much in my work, even though my own relationship with nature is deeply connected to it. I always want this practice to feel welcoming whether you're religious, spiritual, agnostic, atheist, figuring it out or haven't thought about any of that in years. However, I've found that the older I get, the more lived experiences I have, the more important this part of...
Your body needs the real thing
Hi Reader, I spent last week in northern Michigan, and one of my favorite parts of the trip was continuing my morning walks in a new place. I love exploring new places because there is so much to notice. Different trees, different light, different air, different sounds, and suddenly the same practice I do at home feels fresh again. I also loved that every morning, before the plans & logistics energy took over, I had already given myself movement, mindfulness, and a little time in relationship...
Sign Up to be notified of upcoming Forest Bathing + Nature Therapy Sessions. I share about Forest and Nature Therapy, nature-based wellness, creative practices, and holistic well-being.