The Beginnings

As the preparation stage comes to an end and the adventure is looming so close on the horizon I thought I’d spend a moment to introduce myself, the project and how it all came into existence.

So, as many of you may know, the project Nature for Nurture focuses on practical ways nature can support mental wellbeing and mental health, with focus on children and young people. The idea that nature is beneficial for all of us isn’t anything new- we, as humans, are undeniably part of it. In my case, nature has always been playing a central part in my life. Growing up in Poland, I was always spending long summer days playing in the fields, among the growing crops so abundant all around the town I lived in. Summers and winters were also filled with my favourite place in the entire universe- the Tatra mountains, or Tatry in Polish. Spending weeks in Tatry with my family, learning how to ski with my grandparents in the snowy paradise and walking the trails when all the snow has melted and gave birth to all kinds of flowers were one of the most formative in my life, shaping ways in which I view the nature, relationships in my life, and most importantly myself.

Writing this blogpost in Tatry right now feels like such a full circle moment- a place that inspired me and my project being the one that also sees me off to the biggest adventure I’m yet to experience. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t a bit nervous with what’s to come, but this nervousness becomes pure excitement when I’m walking my favourite paths high in the mountains, remembering why I decided to go to the furthest places in the world next year.

So, now that you know all about Tatry (make sure to look through the attached pictures!), it would be good to explain other details of the project. The first question is why did I decide to work mainly with children and young people? When I was thinking about the recipients of the project, this answer actually came really easily. Studying neuroscience I was always interested in mental health, and seeing all the worrying statistics suggesting that young people are struggling more than ever made me wonder about the potential solutions to this problem. As I was thinking about potential causes of that, I have realised that children and young people have it much harder than I ever had as a child. With social media, smartphones, short-form content and AI among others, we are giving the most vulnerable in our society something that we as adults don’t fully understand, starting to see the devastating consequences.

After volunteering with the surf-therapy charity, the Wave Project in St Andrews, I have realised that nature is not only beneficial for our mental health itself, but that it also creates a perfect environment which encourages relationship and community building as well as physical exercise. And let’s be honest, what more could we want? That’s why I would encourage all of you to get outside, regardless of where you live, and try to reconnect with nature and one another. I promise you, you might be surprised with the outcomes.

That’s all from me for today- if you have any questions about a project or anything else, feel free to send a message- just click on the ‘Reach Out!’ button:) I will hopefully see you all once I’m landed in Australia- let’s the adventure begin!

Views on magical Valley of Five Polish Lakes

First peek on Eye of the Sea

Gąsienicowa Valley in full pink bloom