It’s OK to Cry

The world can often be a demanding and overwhelming place, constantly pressuring us to suppress our emotions. We are taught from a young age to put on a brave face, to hide our tears, and to keep our feelings locked away. But what happens when we do let go? When we allow ourselves to feel vulnerable and embrace our emotions?

I remember a few years ago, at a difficult time in my life, I decided to leave the house and go for a walk in the woods - something I hadn't done in a long time. As I stepped into the serene forest, a sense of tranquility washed over me. Surrounded by towering trees and the gentle rustling of leaves, I felt an immediate connection with nature's healing power.

I found myself drawn to one particular tree, its branches reaching out as if inviting me in. Without hesitation, I hugged it tightly, feeling its solid presence grounding me as tears streamed down my face. The weight of unspoken words and suppressed emotions lifted off my shoulders with each sob. In that moment, I realized the importance of allowing ourselves to feel vulnerable and embracing our emotions.

Lying on the soft ground beneath the canopy of trees became my sanctuary; it was here that I learned to let go completely. As I surrendered myself to nature's embrace, I released years' worth of pain and heartache buried deep within me.

It was here that I discovered that crying is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of courage - an acknowledgment that we are human beings capable of feeling deeply. In this safe haven among the trees, we learned to honor our emotions and find strength in vulnerability.

This experience is, in part, what led me to start Friends of the Forest - an organization dedicated to creating nature-based offerings for women on their journey of self-discovery. To find freedom in the woods, in the meadows, in the streams, in the sky.

The support from other women present at our events is invaluable. We form an unspoken sisterhood bonded by shared experiences and empathetic understanding. Each woman holds her own story, but we come together in this sacred container of safe space.

As I reflect on my journey of self-discovery, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with nature and express myself freely. It is a reminder that it's okay to cry, to seek solace in nature's embrace, and to find support within a community of women who understand the power of emotional release.

So let us continue to come together, hug a tree, lay on the ground, and let out our feelings - for within this sacred container lies the transformative power of self-expression and sisterhood. In a world that often demands us to suppress our emotions, it is through embracing them that we find true healing and growth.

Wild Blessings,
Kathleen