Rewilding In the Digital Age
Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology and NATURE
I recently turned my Instagram account into a nature journal. As someone who has spent years creating and curating content in the digital space, I wanted a space that felt more grounded in the world of dirt and grain than bits and pixels. Yes, I fully see the contradiction of creating an online portal to nature through a social media platform - but here’s to baby steps.
For years, my life has revolved around digital media, and more often than not, looking at bright screens, thumbing keyboards, and swiping on glass has left me itching for something more grounding, textured, and physical. It wasn’t until I moved to the mountains and began transforming my yard into a native plant garden that I realized what was missing. Rewilding my garden began a journey of rewilding myself and learning a few lessons along the way.
1. WE Are Nature
We aren’t separate from nature; we are nature. Our disconnection from the natural world is, at its core, a disconnection from ourselves. Technology can create an illusion that we’re independent of the earth, but our bodies assure us we are not. The rhythms of our breath, the beating of our hearts, the feel of sun on our skin - it reminds us that we belong to the wild.
2. Reevaluate Your Relationship with Technology
Technology isn’t the enemy, it’s how we use it that matters. When we mindlessly scroll through social media to fill gaps in the day, we need to stop and ask ourselves: Is this tool serving me, or am I serving it?
You don’t have to trek into a forest to feel connected. Reconnection can begin with simple awareness and incorporating small “digital detox” practices into your life:
Set Tech-Free Zones: Designate spaces in your home where technology isn’t allowed, like your bedroom, dining area, or (definitely) bathroom.
Practice Intentional Consumption: Before opening an app, ask yourself why you’re doing it.
Unplug Periodically: Give yourself a day (or even an hour) each week to be completely offline. Use this time to explore the world around you.
3. Bring Nature Inside
When I started gardening, I didn’t expect it to influence my creative work. But the more I touched soil, pruned, and planted seeds, the more I was inspired. It became a way to clear my mind so new ideas and connections could form.
If you’re tied to a desk, try bringing nature into your workspace:
Add plants to your office. Studies show that greenery improves focus and reduces stress.
Change your screensaver to a calming nature scene.
Step outside for a few minutes during breaks. Even a short walk can reset your energy.
4. Rewild Your Routine
Rewilding isn’t just about spending time in nature; it’s about living with more intention. For me, this has meant syncing my schedule with natural light, attempting to eat more seasonally, and spending weekends exploring the trails and parks near my home.
Start the Day With Nature: Whether it’s drinking your morning coffee or tea outside or simply opening a window to listen to birds, begin your day with something grounding.
Embrace the Seasons: Notice the changes in your environment and adapt your habits to them, whether it’s cooking with seasonal produce or adjusting your activities to natural cycles.
Get Your Hands Dirty: Taking some time to pot or plant is one of the most satisfying ways to feel connected to the earth.
5. Reconnection Is a Journey
Reconnecting with nature is a practice we nurture over time. Most days, I still feel the pull to fill any length of silence with social media noise. But the more I lean into nature, the more I realize that it’s important to inhabit and experience outdoor spaces that let your mind wander and wonder.
Rewilding in the digital age isn’t about rejecting technology, it’s about finding balance and remembering that we’re part of something much larger. The Internet connects us to the world, but nature connects us to ourselves.
The trick is to begin with something small… a walk outside, a potted plant, a tech-free afternoon. These tiny shifts can lead to big changes, grounding us in the deep knowing that we’ve always been part of the wild.
We are nature. Reconnecting with it is simply coming home.
