Rewild & Slow
Day 6: Gill Bourbage
Nature has always been very important to me.
My favourite place to be is in the garden; growing plants, cutting flowers for the house, listening to nature and drinking tea. I take photographs which help me to record what has worked and to plan for the year ahead. I am always planning. In winter I buy seeds sowing them in spring. In summer I choose bulbs for planting in autumn. I have been able to create a garden sanctuary where I can grow flowers, listen to the sounds of the garden and just enjoy being outside. I live in a leafy part of Birmingham and although busy roads aren’t too far away from my home there are still quieter roads that I use to walk to work or the shops.
I also enjoy Blackwork, a type of embroidery that has been around for hundreds of years. I love it because it is worked in a single colour in a single stitch; it is such a calming and relaxing way to create a beautiful piece of work to put on display in the home. I don’t use black thread preferring pale grey or occasionally other colours. The first embroidery I designed was inspired by many of the plants I grow throughout the year such as tulips, poppies and leaves. I cannot think of anything better than combining nature and embroidery especially during the darker days of winter.
I could not embroider without nature. The embroidery samplers I design are based on stories from my garden and the environment around my home. 'An Autumn Walk' was inspired by the treasures that fall from the trees in autumn. I have collected conkers, leaves and seed heads from pavements and grass verges around my home. Cones come from the platform at the nearby railway station.
Nature has a huge impact on wellbeing and mental health. Time in the garden or going for a walk can make minor worries disappear at least for a while. I have read of studies that have found that being outside and connecting with nature can help our health physically and mentally. It definitely works for me.
If you have outside space and haven't already done so, create a garden. It is just a glorious thing to do. Even if your space is tiny you can still have a few pots and hopefully somewhere to just sit. Leave your phone inside.
Don't think that nature is just about the countryside. Even in the city it is possible to listen to the birds singing, enjoy tree lined streets, and visit the local park.