A couple of months ago, I visited the Fotografiska museum in Stockholm, an impressive museum that elevates photography to the level of other fine art forms. There is much for us to learn from the Swedes in this regard. It was the exhibition “In Bloom” that made the greatest impression on me, and it was about humanity’s lost connection to nature.
Nature is a mystery – strong and superior, yet fragile and vulnerable at the same time. It is bright and beautiful, but also wild and threatening. Humans have always been dependent on nature, while nature could easily survive without humans. In fact, it would probably do quite well without us.
In a restless world and a fast-paced consumer society, humanity’s need for forests and nature may be greater than ever. Nature is an oasis of inspiration and tranquility, where we can recharge, gather our thoughts, and find balance in a life that moves too fast.
We live in a strange time, and the more artificial our world becomes, the stronger our longing for nature grows. We seek out beauty, silence, and slowness. Nature nurtures our psyche, which is why it is perceived as a place for recreation. Here, we recreate something we have lost.
I am not sure what it is about nature that gives energy and joy, but it works every time. Nature’s very own supercharger allows me to recharge 80% in just 30 minutes. And with such a charge, I can go through a day in the modern world with its commutes, tech devices and meetings. At one point, though, my connection to nature will need to be re-established.
