This time of the year is fraught. It is the epitome of excess. Excess consumerism, excess expectations, excess emotion and excess stress. Thanks, but no thanks. The symbolism of Christmas seems all but lost, never mind the religious origins. I’m not a grinch, despite how it may sound. Spending time with loved ones, resting and sharing food together are the wonderful parts of the Christmas season, hoo-ha aside.
To offset the excess, I’m embracing what someone described to me recently as “minimal fuss”. That is a philosophy I can get on board with. Slow, stress free living is my preferred approach. Simplicity and fuss free living is my aim for 2023.
Keeping that theme of simplicity going, I’m forgoing my long form musings this week. Here is a little list of some of what I enjoyed online and offline in 2022.
Image
All the images on these pages are my own. I love photography and have neglected it as a hobby over the years. I picked up the camera again recently and have been enjoying getting back to the deliberate pause and consideration that is required when using a camera and not just a phone. This Japanese Anemone flower is strangely symbolic for me. Not simply a beautiful plant but a special memory of the garden of my childhood home. This was a favourite shot from my Summer in Dublin.
Words
Substack
I have been savouring
, such beautiful writing. Lisa manages to give us a glimpse into the deeply personal aspects of her life while simultaneously offering powerful yet tender words of encouragement and healing to the reader. I particularly loved her reflections on creativity and have felt a similar path of creative rediscovery in recent years including writing here on Substack.Meanwhile I really enjoyed reading
’s Fourth Light. Reflections on this time of year, ritual, objects and more. Kerri describes the place of ritual in our lives in a way I’ve been trying to for years. A gorgeous read.Books
A Well Gardened Mind, Sue Stuart-Smith
I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction through 2022 and this was a highlight. As a nature therapy guide, this was very affirming. Personal anecdotes, neuroscience and storytelling on the benefits of gardening for mind, body and soul.
On a similar note, this nature themed read is perfect for water babies. Nichols explores the science behind why water makes us feel good. Lots of juicy facts and detailed studies of the science behind the mood enhancing benefits of being in, on or under the ocean/water.
Not much to say about this except that he is hilarious, as always. I listened to the audiobook because I love his voice and delivery. Guffawingly good.
I found this book in an op-shop in 2018, started it and then misplaced it. I finally found it again early this year. Stylistically unique, funny and sad. Thoroughly looking forward to the next instalment, Less is Lost as my holiday read.
Screen
Obviously. Watch series one first if you’ve only just heard of it. Excellent writing and dark humour. Jennifer Coolidge is sensational.
An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl)
A beautiful melancholic Irish language film which has just been shortlisted for an Oscar.
Podcasts
All the podcasts are worthy of a listen but my favourite this year was David D Haskell’s soundscape “When the Earth Started to Sing”. Listen here
Another thoughtful podcast. I loved this episode featuring poet David Whyte. He speaks of landscape and his experiences with the natural world and what he calls the “conversational nature of reality”.
Things
We’ve simplified our belongings after several moves in recent years and as a minimalist in general, I’m relishing having less. I rarely buy new things and a lot of my decor is either a vintage find, something found in nature or a sentimental keepsake. Both form and function are important when you reduce clutter. A5 Moleskin notebooks continue to be a staple for daily morning pages and other note-making. Paired with a black bic pen, exceedingly basic but reassuringly and reliably so. In the second image, Jobs Tears beads from my nature table. I did a quick video on these beads which were my grandmothers, on Instagram recently.
Places
This is my not-so-secret spot if you live near me, perhaps you’ll know it. My sense of place has been a little off-kilter since my visit home to Ireland in August. This little mermaid pool has been an absolute joy to bathe in, it comes and goes depending on the tides which makes it all the more special. Coupled with this magnificent sandstone boulder, regular saltwater fixes in here have me feeling a little less flummoxed.
If you want to find your own mermaid pool on Dharawal Country, anywhere along the coast from the Royal National Park south to Wollongong will offer a multitude of potential swim spots, including rockpools, waterholes and and saltwater ocean pools you’ll be spoiled for choice. Wattamolla in particular, is spectacular.
Natures notes is proudly written on and inspired by Dharawal Country.
I recognise the Dharawal & Wodi Wodi custodians and ancestors who have an enduring connection to land, water and skies. I give thanks for reciprocity and acknowledge that this Always Was and Always Will be Aboriginal Land.