Woopee! I'm another year older

and it's time to celebrate

I turned 52 over the weekend!

I am not one to fudge and adjust their age. I peer at each new grey hair and wrinkle with a rueful smile. I will not inject Botox or undergo plastic surgery to hide my age. I am grateful for another year of growth, good health, connection, and abundance.

Birthdays used to be a source of stress and frustration for me. When I was little, I dreamed of waking up to a large pile of presents and a specially prepared meal on the table. I devised surprise parties, where all the popular kids surrounded me as I celebrated.

Instead, I began the day disappointed when the breakfast table was set with only a box of Captain Crunch Peanut Butter cereal. The family tradition was to celebrate the birthdays at the end of the day, leaving me full of anticipation all day long.

Expectations on birthdays rivaled those of Christmas morning. Unfortunately, setting the bar too high led to disappointment. I am not sure what magical event I was expecting to occur. My mother always took time and effort to select the perfect gifts for me. Looking back, I wish I could take back the look on my face when I unwrapped a gift that didn’t hit the mark.

I seemed to always be disappointed.

Birthdays are the one day to honor and celebrate YOU! To pick and choose what you want to eat or do for the big day.

As I grew older, I continued to layer on stress about what to do to celebrate my birthdays. I felt pressured to please everyone else, rather than myself. I felt overwhelmed by the options and honestly didn’t even know what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to let others down if I chose what my heart desired. I secretly wished someone would make the decisions for me and set the day up.

Instead, it was up to me to decide.

Some people know exactly what they want and can make clear decisions. Do you?

Why was this so hard for me? The pressure to choose was too intense.

This year I finally began to put the pieces together for my birthday. I began a couple of days prior by signing up for local events that sparked interest and joy.

On the Solstice, I spent a lovely night at a local campground with the local artist Kat Ryalls, who created the Phases and Forests Oracle deck that I draw from every Monday morning and post here. Using the rhododendron for inspiration, a small group learned and played with watercolors. Soaking up the first summer night, I drove home under the huge Full Strawbery Moon rising over the mountains.

The next night, I drove out to the YogaBarn in Mars Hill, outside of Asheville, North Carolina. The mini-retreat was a combination of yoga, forest bathing, and journaling. After getting into our bodies through yoga, we traveled outside toward the woods for my first experience with forest bathing. The invitations were to travel into the woods and walk slowly and quietly, soaking up the natural benefits of the trees and quieting the mind. I normally hike and move swiftly through the woods, rarely pausing to notice and be present at a standstill.

Forest Bathing

My guide gave a brief introduction to forest bathing, or the Japanese practice of "Shinrin-yoku". This practice involves immersing yourself in a forest environment to enhance your physical and mental well-being. The term translates to "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing.” Despite the name, there is no water involved and the focus is on experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest.

Role of Trees in Forest Bathing

One of the key elements of forest bathing is the beneficial compounds released by trees:

• Phytoncides: These are natural oils or antimicrobial organic compounds emitted by trees. Phytoncides play a crucial role in protecting trees from insects and rotting, and they have been found to enhance human immune function. Inhaling phytoncides can increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in our body, which are essential for combating infections and cancer.

• Essential Oils: Trees release various essential oils, such as alpha-pinene and limonene, which contribute to the fresh, calming scent of the forest and have been linked to stress reduction and improved mood.

Benefits of Forest Bathing

1. Reduced Stress: Spending time in nature has been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

2. Improved Mood: Nature exposure can enhance mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

3. Boosted Immune System: Phytoncides, natural oils emitted by trees, have been found to increase the activity of natural killer cells, which help fight off infections and cancer.

4. Enhanced Focus: Time in nature can improve concentration and cognitive function.

5. Lower Blood Pressure: Studies indicate that spending time in a forest can reduce blood pressure.

6. Increased Energy: Nature exposure often leads to a feeling of rejuvenation and increased vitality.

Simple Ways to Practice Forest Bathing

1. Find a Suitable Location: Choose a forest or a wooded area where you can comfortably walk or sit.

2. Disconnect from Technology: Leave your phone and other electronic devices behind to fully engage with nature.

3. Take Your Time: There is no need to rush. The goal is to relax and immerse yourself in the environment.

4. Engage Your Senses: Pay attention to the sounds of the birds, the rustling of leaves, the smell of the forest, and the feel of the ground beneath your feet.

5. Be Mindful: Focus on your breathing and stay present in the moment. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can enhance the experience.

6. Walk Slowly: Move at a leisurely pace, allowing yourself to fully absorb the surroundings.

My first exposure to forest bathing was a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with nature and experience its healing benefits. I came home that night and opened my sliding doors wide, to soak up the magic of the trees as I slept.

It was clear to me how I wanted to spend my birthday.

Spend the day outside in the woods.

My morning was spent on the deck in the dark as I observed my breath and felt my 52-year-old body slowly unfurl and loosen up. After a luxurious time on my mat, I prepared pizza dough, despite not being Friday night, and crept upstairs to wake my kiddo. It was early, but I loudly announced “I am the birthday girl!” In our household, the birthday person gets to pick EVERYTHING for the day.

I confidently announced my plan.

1. Yoga/Meditation/Creativity - completed early

2. Hike at Moses Cone off the Blue Ridge Parkway

3. Coffee outside at Mountain Grounds

4. Restorative Yoga - Legs up the wall

5. Connect to family and friends on the phone

6. Pizza

7. Movie ( I happily gave in a bit to watch the new Fall Guy movie. Pride and Prejudice or Bridget Jones's Diary would have been my choice 😊).

8. Dark Chocolate for dessert

Simple - A day spent celebrating me and everything that matters.

I finally felt confident in the choices I made.

Finally, at 52 I know what I like and want out of life.

Working through the journal prompts for the Solstice, I reflected on the past six months as well as the last 51 years. I journaled, made notes, and enjoyed

Claire Venus

wonderful Expansive Creativity Session. I am clearer and more focused on my goals for the next six months as well as the future.

New ideas and goodies coming soon…

The one thing that is clear to me. I don’t want to wait anymore. The clock is ticking and I am antsy to create and offer more here. I want to grow and engage with the community that is forming amongst some lovely people. It’s time to show up!

Thank you for being a part of my journey here on Substack as I continue to learn, grow, and share my words with you. I love welcoming you into my hideaway and I am honored to have you join me on my journey.

I appreciate you!

Talk to you soon,

Blythe