Rewilding an Industrious Heart
A kayak adventure in High Springs, Florida by Cyndi Fernandez.
Written by Cyndi Fernandez, 7-year Conservation Florida Teammate
Burnt-out quiet quitters, fed-up go-getters, stressed-out parents, teachers, and caregivers ... people of all ages and demographics struggling to find a little peace and tranquility … nature is waiting to welcome you home.
Even if it’s out of your reach today, I encourage you to make a plan that carves out space for you to take a moment (or a month) to separate, celebrate, and reconnect.
Here’s my story, filled with mixed metaphors and wild images, all painting a picture of a person who needed a break, broke, and rose from the ashes kind of like a phoenix and kind of like a bird that flew into a window and fell into a fire pit.
Just gritting by takes its toll.
I admire people with a strong work ethic, and I value a job well done - right alongside high performance and productivity. Combine that with a stellar mission and ambitious teammates, and you've got a recipe for rapid growth and success. Driven by passion, determination, and a good bit of stubbornness, I kept pushing myself. I was willing to spend all my mental, physical, and emotional reserves to fulfill personal and professional responsibilities. Grit is the rocket fuel that moves mountains.
However, the long years of caring for my disabled parents, working like a mad woman, and neglecting my own well-being eventually wore me down.
The first obvious sign that my reserves were depleted was the dark turn my inner dialogue took. Personal pep talks shifted from “I’ve got this” to “I hate absolutely everything.” Maybe you can relate. I sincerely hope not!
After my parents passed away, and my meticulously crafted 10-year life plan fell apart, I slowed down a little bit. I turned off my phone and headed into the wilderness. I started with a day hike here, and a kayak trip there. Then, I decided to follow a dear friend’s advice and take my retirement in installments. That might have been the best decision of my life!
Taking time away is necessary - and so is having fun.
My work family at Conservation Florida gave me the opportunity to take a leave of absence. Letting go of all my responsibilities, I stepped into a new reality.
I laughed. I cried happy tears. It was like a movie montage of me living my best life. I visited with friends and family. I cleaned out the garage. I took a dream vacation to Hawaii. All that, and I still had time to rearrange the furniture, take swimming lessons, spend a full day on a failed art project, and read three books! Pure magic.
Now, I fully appreciate my good fortune. I wish everyone could take time off with enough saved up to live a month of Sundays. I really do. I also wish everyone could get a massage. World peace would be at hand, surely.
The point of my story isn't to make anyone jealous. It is to testify that time spent venturing into old forests, marveling at glorious sunsets, and finding new hobbies (swimming is so fun) helped heal my broken heart. For those going through a tough time, I encourage you to keep going. Keep dreaming. Keep planning, and working your way back to nature. It may not heal all that ails you, but I promise it's good medicine.
Reconnecting with nature is easy.
Here are my foolproof tips for finding your way home. Step one: Tell your brain to hush. Step two: Listen to your wild heart. Step three: Follow your heart to a place that is untamed by humankind. Last step: Be alert, patient, and present until your mind resets and remembers that you are part of the natural world around you.
Caring for and protecting paradise is hard.
Are you rested? Are you ready to get to work? These are questions that I asked myself, and that I'm asking you to consider. Wild Florida is in peril and needs our help. We at Conservation Florida are on the frontlines of a campaign to protect places that nourish human communities and provide havens for wildlife.
We're trying to beat the clock and the odds to save Florida's dwindling natural and agricultural lands from development and to make the vision of the Florida Wildlife Corridor a reality. To help, please consider donating your time, money, or property to support our mission. If you're not in a position to be charitable at this time, we also accept donations of positive vibes. No act of support is too great or too small.
Here are a few ways you can take action today.
Buy some merch and wear it proudly
Tell your friends and family about our work - Sharing on social channels is encouraged!
Sign up to be a volunteer
Come to one of our events
Nature is waiting. I’ll see you out there.