Nature & Identity Development
Sep 19, 2025
Question: I’m tired of figuring out who I am, can nature help?
Tip 1 - Developmental awareness - it’s a lifelong process, friends.
Tip 2 - Nature invites a “state of openness”
Value of introspection
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groundedness of reflection through natural world is possibly more accurate
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Studies found people were more hopefully but also saw the size of their problems more accurately
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Clarity, connection, and creativity come forward in the act of “be-ing”
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God’s intimacy with nature
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Movement and our sense of agency
Tip 3 - Do we have an attachment relationship with nature?
Biophilia hypothesis- our attachment with nature makes us feel more relaxed and cared for, “provisioned”
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Builds our foundation to do the work of identity development
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Gives energy or a sense of vitality for life + delight
Topophilia - love of places, particular environments
Stress reduction - helps us see ourselves more clearly (IFS and parts theory)
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actual change in cortisol concentration in blood tests after forest bath
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Recovery rate for stress was 87% (after forest therapy sessions)
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Recovery rate for headaches was 52% (after forest therapy sessions)
Tip 4 - Nature offers Rest
Replacing or releasing negative thoughts and identity weavings opportunity
Reduction in loneliness
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Expanding access to invitation skills
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Feed and provided for in nature might help us to feed and provide in our relationships in turn
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Nature reflects God and therefore offers us spiritual rest (Song of Songs, Job 38ff)
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Experience towards decolonizing the natural world and improvements in minority or global majority identity development
References & Resources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7036903/#B33-ijerph-17-00685
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204624000707
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1527&context=expressive_theses
https://substack.com/@heidigoehmann
https://www.instagram.com/heidigoehmann/?hl=en