Disconnecting to Connect

We all get low points. Times of overwhelm. Not always sure where to turn.

I’ve been there with a common experience many of us go through. Which one seems less important now. The lesson has been learned and it’s adaptable.

You know those times when something that’s troubling you keeps playing on your mind? And every phone message or social media post just reminds you of that thing – whether intended or not. I tried turning off the world wide web and joining the wood wide web – or mycorrhizal network – but that’s less catchy.

So, here’s the story. A little over-burdened and looking for an escape, I went and sat next to a tree in a local park. As get-away plans go it may not seem like the best start…

Sitting there I started to think about the connectedness of things. The tree I was sat next to was near other trees and much lush vegetation. My thoughts turned to the underground network that helps nourish and sustain plant communities.

Sat in there watching the squirrels and listening to the birds and the background hum of insects, I realised I wasn’t thinking about my problems. And I wasn’t alone. Everything around me was going about its daily routine – taking care of business and each other. In a way that is beautiful, simple, and easily overlooked. Life around me relied on each other to a varying degree to do what it needed to do.

Why was I sat alone? Why was I running away from instead of toward? Maybe I should talk to someone? Start to feel part of something again?

So, I did. I took that feeling that I was part of a greater whole. That I was connected to more than just a phone or laptop. And connected with other people with spoken words.

It didn’t solve all my problems. It did put them into perspective and encourage me to seek out others.

And things got better.

Christopher Cody, Neurodiversity Coach, 3SC