#31 - The Work That Reconnects: A Path Back to the Earth
Story #31 - The Work That Reconnects: A Path Back to the Earth
We live in a time of heavy stress, overwhelm, disconnection from ourselves and others, and ecological uncertainty. Many of us feel it in our bodies through anxiety, depressive symptoms and chronic stress.
The truth is, there is no right or wrong. We all experience and feel differently.
Living in this fast-paced, capitalistic and modern world is not easy. Hard-to-feel emotions can arise. Some people feel big emotions. Others feel numb or feel “nothing”.
Some feel anger. Some feel extreme sadness. Some feel fear. Some feel grief. Some feel the full spectrum of emotions.
This is when nature therapy is, for me, the best way to navigate those emotions and regulate the body.
On top of offering 1:1 outdoor counselling and forest bathing sessions, I also offer more immersive experiences such as nature retreats. Over four to five days, we experience a range of emotions and nature-based practices in a group setting, reconnecting with ourselves and others, honouring the Earth and feeling what needs to be felt.
This is where The Work That Reconnects, developed by Joanna Macy, comes into place.
My nature retreats in France and in the Adelaide Hills are inspired by this work.
What is The Work That Reconnects?
According to Joanna Macy: “The Work That Reconnects helps people around the world discover and experience their innate connections with each other and the self-healing powers of the web of life, transforming despair and overwhelm into inspired, collaborative action.”
The Work That Reconnects (WTR) was developed by American teacher and environmental activist Joanna Macy. It is a practice that helps us reconnect with ourselves, the community and Mother Earth. The Work That Reconnects is based on the following theories:
Systems Thinking
Deep Ecology
Deep Time
Ancient and Enduring Spiritual Traditions.
It recognises that we are living through a time of great ecological and social change. It also recognises that we may experience difficult emotions because of what is happening in the world. Simply put: the Earth suffers, so do we.
The work does not ask us to push these emotions away. Instead, it invites us to feel them.
At the heart of the practice is The Spiral, which moves through four stages:
Gratitude
We begin by noticing what is here. The people, the Earth, our lives, our bodies, the small things that still bring us joy.Honouring Our Pain for the World
We make space for grief, anger, fear and sadness. We do not need to fix these feelings. We simply allow ourselves to acknowledge them.Seeing With New/Ancient Eyes
We begin to see ourselves and our perception differently. We remember that we are not separate from nature. We are part of it.Going Forth
From this place of reconnection and with the community, we ask ourselves: What can I do? Where can I begin? How can we move forward?
Why do we need to feel?
We often live in a culture that encourages us to move on quickly.
Be positive.
Keep going.
Stay productive.
Look on the bright side.
But some emotions cannot simply be pushed away.
Ecological grief is one example. We may and are allowed to grieve the loss of forests, species, landscapes or a future we once imagined.
We may feel overwhelmed by the size of the problems around us.
There is no need to carry all of this alone. Feeling does not mean we are powerless. Sometimes, feeling is the beginning of connection.
From individual healing to belonging
In my work, I often hear questions such as:
“What can I do?” “Where do I even start?”
The Work That Reconnects invites us to move from “I am separate from nature” towards “I am nature. I am part of the ecosystem.”
We are not separate from the Earth. We belong to it. From this place, action can become possible.
Coming together in nature
Every year, I facilitate a nature retreat in France inspired by The Work That Reconnects by Joanna Macy.
For several days, we slow down. We spend time outdoors. We share stories. We listen. We create. We feel. There is laughter, tears, contemplation, stillness, movement, silence.
There is space for all of it. Being together in nature reminds us that we are not alone in what we feel. Something changes when difficult emotions are witnessed and held by a group. We begin to remember that our wellbeing is connected to the wellbeing of the wider living world.
A Path Back to the Earth
Reconnection is about remembering something that has always been there.
We are part of the Earth. We are nature.
So today, I am asking you:
What is one small step I can take to reconnect with my Home the Earth?
If you’re ready to slow down, reconnect with your wild self, and explore nature's healing benefits, I offer a free 20-minute phone call to start your path. Visit my website or email me here.
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Read more from Sarah Frustié
Sarah Frustié, Ecotherapist, Forest Guide, Nature Retreat Facilitator, and Holistic Counsellor
Sarah Frustié is a bilingual ecotherapist, holistic counsellor, and forest guide based in the Adelaide Hills and France. She supports people in caring professions to navigate burnout, release chronic stress and anxiety, and reconnect with themselves through nature-based practices, forest bathing, and guided nature and meditation retreats. With a deep belief in the healing power of the natural world, Sarah blends mindfulness, eco-psychology, trauma-informed, and whole-person approaches to create safe and sacred experiences. Founder of Sarah Frustié Therapy, every session is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and connect with the living world.
Resources:
Macy, J., & Brown, M. Y. (2014). Coming back to life: The updated guide to the Work That
Reconnects. New Society Publishers.
Macy, J., & Johnstone, C. (2022). Active hope: How to face the mess we’re in with
unexpected resilience and creative power (Rev. ed.). New World Library.
Macy, J. (1991). World as lover, world as self: Courage for global justice and ecological
renewal. Parallax Press.
Work That Reconnects Network. (n.d.). What is the Work That Reconnects?
https://workthatreconnects.org/
