Amidst the busyness of life, I find it so important to frequently check in with myself to see which aspects of my self-care need attention. Self-kindness in action. And as you know from my weekly reflections, I regularly turn to Nature to nourish a sense of well-being and calm.

One evening last week, I realized I felt a bit disheartened and out of sorts. I cannot quite remember what had been happening, but I had been busy, missed a walk, and missed some good wildlife sightings. The following day was free in my diary, so at the last minute, I quickly packed and headed off to the farm near the bird cliffs where I frequently stay.

For me, there is nothing like waking with fields all around, the bird cliffs nearby, and the promise of a “wildlife day” to restore and replenish. I arrived as it was getting dark, and the next morning, I woke feeling deeply grateful to be there.

I love the reminders Nature gives us. I was enchanted by the skyscape and seascape at the clifftops: glimpses of bright sun amidst dark clouds, small bands of glistening silver light on the otherwise dark sea. Light finding its way, shining through. I ate breakfast on a cliff top, watching this dynamic dance. Nature’s offering of spiritual balm for the heart. How blessed.

I then headed to visit the gannet nest I’ve been following since Easter. It had been nearly a week since my last visit, and I was eager to see how the tiny chick was doing. From my monitoring, I knew the chick was between 14 and 17 days old. I felt happy to see the parent gannet sitting fit and well on the nest. At this stage, the chick rests for most of the day on the parent’s large webbed feet, hidden beneath their body.

I was very lucky. Nearly two hours of patient observation yielded its rewards. Suddenly, the attentive parent stood up to stretch, calling loudly, and the chick emerged! How they had grown! The white downy feathers were well on their way. What a deep privilege and absolute delight it was to witness this. Nature’s beauty and awe at its purest.

Eventually, I left to find lunch and drove to Flamborough Head, with its magnificent scenery and large colony of seals. But there was more to come! Late in the afternoon, I heard of a large pod of dolphins travelling south in my direction. I stopped at Filey Brigg to wait, and after over an hour of patience, I was rewarded just after sunset. The dolphins passed spectacularly, crashing through the water, sometimes ten rising together in a line. Breathtaking, a perfect finale to an amazing and deeply nourishing day in Nature.

This week’s self-kindness invitation is to check in with yourself. What aspects of self-care might be calling for your attention? Take time to listen deeply, and then do the best you can to attend to them. It could be as simple as an early night or some fresh air. There are so many ways of nourishing ourselves.

Good luck, and may your moments of care and attention bring joy and restoration.