Reconnecting with our sense of wonder

Finding magic and joy in the world again

Yesterday was not my typical Monday. I got the train into London in the morning and had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Katherine May in support of her book Enchantment (which I actually read last year and glad to say it’s pretty wonderful).

During our time together we explored some ways we can bring a sense of awe and magic into our everyday. Katherine shared a method to draw a labyrinth (which although simple I was pretty poor at so she kindly helped me grasp it).

We moved onto another exercise where we had 15 minutes of contemplation time with a shell, feather or stone of our choosing from Katherine’s own collection. I noticed my resistance to it when she said 15 minutes. I already find myself collecting things from nature that feel precious, but I haven’t really spent time to be with them. After around 3 minutes, once I’d settled into it, that time just observing felt like a gift. A reminder to pay more attention, then some more again!

It was 2 hours of time to tap back into something that quite honestly, I felt like I’d lost.

Last week I started writing drafts about this sense of feeling disconnected. Online spaces I used to resonate with weren’t gelling, I felt myself retreating and honestly even found myself triggered seeing others find joy in the everyday! 

Why isn’t this feeling of being in love with the world and having a sense of awe I’ve cultivated before just coming to me? 

Collectively there’s a lot going on. It doesn’t feel right to talk about finding awe and wonder without acknowledging what the past couple of years have been like. It’s hard to find joy in a world where we’re seeing injustice being normalised. Everything is interconnected. Globally what’s happening right now, the pain and suffering of so many is heartbreaking. Naturally as humans, we should feel this - so that we can take action!

I believe that by showing up for causes important to us is so much a part of this, and that one thing can exist alongside another. Also trusting that while the world feels heavy, it’s even more important to trust and connect with the lightness, and the goodness that’s still here.

Personally, I’m tired from what’s been a pretty intense few months with EMDR therapy. I forgot that it takes practice, courage and actively noticing for those things to come to us.

I really needed this reminder, the shift to see that life can be really beautiful. Coming back to the knowledge that it’s okay if this knowing doesn’t just come to you, it’s okay if it takes effort! It’s okay to feel a sense of wonder and still hold what’s happening globally in your heart. In fact, I think now more than ever it takes courage to try and spot the glimmers.

I have to be an active participant, not just expect awe inspiring moments to appear when I’m seeing the world from a glass half empty and not really putting more in the tank that inspires me.

It’s interesting because Katherine also mentioned the embarrassment that can come with living in this way. Of wanting to notice the small joys and feel a sense of excitement for the world we live in. I felt seen! I sat there nodding, because it’s absolutely been the same for me. I really wasn’t taught to view the world in this way, so I have to put the work in to essentially reparent and give myself permission to make the change.

Enchantment, for me, is about connecting back to belonging. It’s not about magical mystical ways of being, or even something that’s out of the ordinary. It’s taking a moment to pause and feel connected, which then offers an experience that feels sacred.

Having a sense of enchantment is something we can cultivate, and it’s become my intention to seek out those moments… Here’s how I plan on reconnecting:

Reconnecting with awe & wonder

I think overall the idea is to give myself more time. Time to do things that are out of my ordinary routine, exploring new places in nature, lean into long pauses and time to contemplate. Practically, these things always seem to slip down the bottom of the list, so here’s a few things I have in mind to actually make this happen…

• Spring spotting walks. I’ve mentioned my spring spotting walks a fair bit, and honestly this is something I want to do more of and give myself even more time to be out in a nature in stillness, really noticing the feeling and sense of awe this conjures instead of rushing to the next thing or getting home. I’m planning on leaving my phone at home more, taking out my watch and setting a timer. Essentially making me stay with nature for longer than I usually would.

• Planting seeds & gardening. I’m absolutely a beginner when it comes to gardening, but it’s become one of my favourite mindful activities - I never feel bad after spending an hour in the garden lets just say that. I’m going to make a start on some seedlings and seeing how they turn out. I find the process of watching them change and transform over the weeks and months grounds me into the present.

• Daily journaling. I haven’t journaled daily in a while. I actually fell out of the habit when I started EMDR therapy and I want to start using it as a way to reflect on the day, and explore small moments that was otherwise has been missed. I’ve put my journal by my bed for this evening with a little note of encouragement to get me started.

I’d love to know, what’s bought you a sense of wonder and awe for the world recently? Let me know in the comments ❤️

Slower Space Sessions…

Rest & Reset

February’s Rest & Reset workshop is coming up! You’re welcomed to invite rest, ease and connection with a 90 minute session designed to support your wellbeing through mindful embodied movement, Pranayama (breathwork) practices, a guided journaling session and a Yoga Nidra practice to finish.

Expect a safe and welcoming online space where you're encouraged to come as you are. All levels of Yoga are welcome (beginner included). The session will be hosted via Zoom and the next one is on the 27th of February. Come and join us here…

The Next Monthly Journaling Club…

On Monday the 4th of March we have the next Monthly Journaling club! The theme for next month will be shared in the chat next week. There’s going to be a different theme each month which are inspired by the Slower Space community’s words for the year.

You can find all of the details for the journaling club here. I’d love to see you there ❤️

Until next time,

Jodie x

If you found this post useful or enjoyed it I would be so grateful if you shared it or restacked it. It helps more people find the Slower Space community… Thank you x