Grounded Conversations

Shukura
Sometimes when you come to a place where you don't really see a lot of other black people, you feel a bit out of place, or you get cold stares. Yesterday in Malvern was one of the few times people don't really see you as foreign, or as an alien as such. So I was quite surprised by that, because sometimes when leaving London, you have that fear about whether people will be very accepting of other people who don't look like them in their space. So, that was something I noticed, the friendliness of the people.

Ayah
I was quite comforted at how quickly I was able to just relax. No one likes giving me strange looks or making me feel like an outsider. I did visit Malvern before, but the last time I came, which was earlier in the year, it was mainly for a hike, which was equally beautiful. But it's also nice to see Malvern Hills in different conditions, because when we came it was summer, and seeing the change of colours in autumn now is awesome.

Shukura
I feel that inclusiveness. Because sometimes you're going on a walk, and maybe people are not looking at you or not really saying hello. But here everyone's very like, “Oh, hi, hello.” So I definitely feel very included.

Shukura
I'm based in London, so it's so busy and loud, and I just want the complete opposite of that on the weekend. So, just having something that's the complete opposite of the busyness of the city. For me, it’s for my mental health. I like just having a pause and reset. I always felt more recharged going on a walk in nature than I would, let's say, sitting in my room, listening to music or watching television.

Ayah
I'm based in London too and I work in healthcare, and I can find it quite stressful and demanding at times. So just having that break from being in nature helps me rest and reset. I would say that nature is a God-given form of free therapy. So it's nice to have access to it. When looking or creating trails, I look at the area first on an app or a map. I also look for interesting features, like mine pits, historical features or a waterfall or other things like that. Then I'll read up on them online and find fun facts. And it's just such a nice mental break from your day-to-day. And I could just pass on that random but interesting piece of information at another gathering, and it's a great conversation starter!

Shukura
It's just quiet. Where we are now, you can only really focus on things like the trees and the leaves, you're not overly stimulated by electronics or cars or other things. You're just surrounded by one thing to focus on, which is nature, which is what's recharging. I think if you're in the city trying to sit, you're hearing the ambulance, maybe you might hear fighting in the background, or like alcohol bottles breaking. You’re hearing so many different things that are over-stimulating, and that doesn't really recharge your focus. But if you're in the landscape, that's all you can really focus on. And that's quite centring and grounding. And so that recharges myself.

Ayah
Now it's autumn, so we can see the change in colours. You know, life has its seasons, and everything's about renewal. So some leaves will pass on, and the new leaves will grow. We learn from nature and bring it back to our own lives, and feel that we’re very connected with nature. Like trees have systems, humans have systems as well.

Shukura
It’s about learning about history and culture. When I'm leading walks, I feel more connected. I am retelling the story and bringing people along on that journey through the walk, the journey of learning about the area that we're in. And then people end up telling other people, and then it feels like you're part of a journey. And then people feel a little bit more of that sense of belonging. Sometimes the more you know, the more you feel comfortable, a bit more settled, a bit more grounded.


Ayah
Poetry and writing are such powerful tools to express our thoughts and to process experiences. I know not everyone can afford therapy. So sometimes writing is really good, just to get your thoughts out. It may not necessarily solve everything, but expressing it, getting it out of your body, releasing it is so powerful. And being in nature helps open that release. Sometimes people who come on walks think they may not have taken part in the writing workshops. They think they're just coming for a walk. But then we do some breath work and they end up feeling inspired to try writing, and they just go home feeling much lighter because they've released it to the land. It's just about having that vulnerable connection with nature. You can lean in, and the ground is firm and sturdy; it's a reliable shoulder to lean on.

So I've been exploring a lot of that when I go hiking and walking with breath work, and feeling related to nature, because I come from nature. It's helped me increase my spirituality as well, and my connection to God. Just by being in nature and admiring all the other creations from the earth all the way to the sky.