WellBeing Being

You know this state of presence by its feeling: aligned, connected and in flow. Sometimes our physical environment enables us to cultivate this sense of balance, ease and calm, which is why we intuitively turn to nature and other grounding environments to relax and reconnect with ourselves and the world. But, other times, if you adjust your internal landscape — your perspective on a situation — you can rediscover your presence, find more ease in moments of unease and surrender to the freedom of balance. Transitioning from a place of doing and into a state of being is at the core of this magazine, Being.

nourish • v 1 to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for maintaining life.

Editor’s letter

Being

Soaking up nature • From visiting the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria to exploring Freycinet National Park in Tasmania, we soak up some wellbeing-inspired escapes in nature.

Exploring the Freycinet Peninsula

Less is more • By freeing ourselves from attachments to outcomes or the weight of unnecessary possessions, we can live life with a greater sense of being.

Being open to learning • We are all capable of learning, but sometimes our ego gets in the way of us trying new things. Cultivating a beginner’s mindset will help to grow your confidence and life experiences.

Dancing with discomfort • We can’t always anticipate discomfort, but we can train for it. Embracing discomfort can be an illuminating step on the path to self-love, self-preservation and self-knowledge.

Practices of discomfort

Overcoming imposter syndrome • Noticing and protecting yourself from imposter syndrome takes awareness, courage and compassion.

alive • adj 1 alert and active; animated 2 in life or existence; living 3 full of life; lively

Play to live • Play is a state of being akin to meditation. Carving out time for play can enhance your energy, productivity, creativity and overall quality of life.

Writing as a form of therapy • Words can change lives. We explore the healing power of writing.

Writing as healing • Writing as a healing practice begins with attention and awareness. This is why I begin all my writing exercises with a mindfulness meditation practice.

Walking for wellbeing • From the connection it elicits with nature and ourselves to its ability to enhance creativity and clarity, we explore the wellbeing benefits of mindful walking.

Walking barefoot

Kinhin: a walking meditation

Healthy expectations • Create a life of ease, balance and purpose by fostering healthy expectations.

Reflection exercise

Compassionate boundaries • While boundaries can sound harsh, they can be kind. They are integral to self-care, keeping your needs from being put last.

Living from the heart • How to notice and practise acts of courage in your everyday life.

Courage may look like…

Reminders for your courage practice

Freedom to roam • Intrinsic to Norwegian culture, friluftsliv is the practice of being in nature with mindfulness, appreciation and care.

Where does friluftsliv originate?

Smitten for merino • When everyone started wearing destructive, itchy polyester fleece, Nicola Mason noticed. She has spent the past 14 years cultivating sustainable wool garments with her brand, Smitten Merino.

retreat • n 1 a place of refuge, seclusion or privacy v 1 to withdraw, retire or draw back, especially for shelter or seclusion

Home is where the heart is • Your body and your heart may be the key to finding your sense of home.

Tips for cultivating a sense of home

Mindful creativity • Unleash your creativity while connecting with the present moment through mindful colouring.

Being present...