Happy Solstice, my friend ~ may the sun’s inspiring light illuminate your heart at this turning point of the year!
Today I went outside for a mindful morning walk and a dose of nature. As I headed to my usual spot, I noticed a man had got there before me. He was walking in the same manner as I had the other day. His headphones in, walking slowly and deliberately, trainers to one side and his bare feet on the earth, mirroring exactly what I had done just a couple of days before, when I’d noticed him exercising a short distance away. I could see he’d gotten as into it as I had, luxuriating in the sensations, the slow leisurely pace and savouring the moment.
It made me smile. It felt like a magical, peaceful ripple effect, observing how my actions had impacted a total stranger without even exchanging a word. We may not realise who we’re inspiring just by showing up exactly as we are, doing what feels fun, easy and nourishing.
I sat under the shade of my favourite coconut tree, waiting for him to finish his walk. Tiny butterflies were flitting around the miniature wildflowers in the grass. So small that you would only notice them if you’re truly paying attention. Birds tweeted and hovered around me, a shy crow checked me out from behind a patch of bamboo, and the sun peeked through rain clouds.
As I sat there in a joyful reverie, various reflections came to mind…
🦋 The beauty of noticing small “insignificant” things
✏️ An idea to come back with paper and pencil to draw - a nudge from my inner child
🧘🏽♀️ How grounding and spacious it felt to be outdoors close to nature, in contrast to the pull sometimes to just stay inside and catch up with all my “to-dos”
💫 How nature opens intuitive channels, helping downloads flow
I will be heading back to Scotland finally in early July, so I felt a call to make the most of my little spot under the coconut tree, to return every day until I go back to Scotland in a couple of weeks.
In the spirit of nurturing my creativity, I decided I’d give myself an Inner Child Challenge, to give her this time and space in nature that she loves. It occurred to me that I might encourage others to find a personal, sacred nature space, or cosy, safe space spot that they might revisit often too and tune into this nurturing flow state.
I’ve decided that:
🌙 Inner Child Play Date will be a free, 10-day sanctuary - think of it as our private pop-up blanket fort for rest, joy, creativity & barefoot wonder.
Come sit with me (and the crows) 🐦⬛
If you’d like to hear a little more about what inspired the challenge, including a peek at my garden sit spot, the barefoot ripple moment, and some reflections on slowing down, watch the video above, or view it (and please subscribe!) over on YouTube.
I chose to let it be scrappy, unfiltered, unedited and very much in the spirit of play. I did notice those voices nagging me that it and I weren’t polished enough, too rambling, too much background noise, my hair a mess, not even brushed...
But then I let all that critical noise go, and asked my Inner Child to lead the way. It turns out she doesn’t care about any of that stuff!
👣 What is the Inner Child Play Date:
A free, heart-led community group and 10 day container created to encourage us to gently reconnect with our inner child through play, imagination, nature and rest.
When the challenge begins, you’ll receive:
📄 A printable tracker
🎁 A playbox of joyful, soul-nourishing suggestions
✨ Daily prompts & inspiration
🫶 A safe, supportive space & community to share
🌈 A reminder that you’re already enough
We journey together over 10 days from Mon 24th June to Thurs 3 July.
The group will close on Fri 4 July.
💌 How to join:
Simply join the free community here 👇
That’s it! You’ll receive everything you need inside when we begin.
Optional: Follow along on Instagram for playful posts and stories:
@nourishandflourish
🧺 Why now?
This is something I’ve been dreaming into life behind the scenes, and it’s also the first ripple of a future journal project I’m intending to create.
If you’d like to be part of the early unfolding, you’re warmly invited.
I hope you’ll feel the call to join me for some gentle creative inspiration and barefoot fun.
My inner child is excited to play with yours.
Doors open now… We begin on June 24th. 👇
With cups of chamomile tea,
Fiona
P.S. In other news, I am celebrating that my website is live again since it went offline due to site changes around 4 years ago now!
As always my inner perfectionist still wants to keep polishing and refining it before sharing it with the word again, but my inner child says it’s good enough.
Special offers coming soon to celebrate getting it live again and for my return to Scotland, but for now here it is, if you’d like a sneak peek:
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