There is a common experience happening within many of us right now, Reader.

Often we call it overwhelm, anxiety, or a persistent sense that all is wrong with the state of the world and we should be doing something, anything, everything (!!!) about it.

This experience is likely a symptom of an ecological awakening, or a profound shift in your consciousness when you transition from seeing yourself as separate from Nature and recognize an intimate and innate belonging to the community of the natural living world.

We no longer drift through the days trying to simply survive, find the cheapest food, manage the land with conventional practices, or use “its” resources without a second thought.

In fact, we don’t call Nature “it” at all (even though sometimes that slips through in writing) and we find ourselves with a deep desire to move toward sustainable, regenerative action for Her/Them/Us because we recognize ourselves as part of the living world too.

That’s what ecology is - the study of living things in relation to their environment. Not separate.

But we sure have been acting like we don’t need mama anymore.

Our human species has significantly altered over 75% of the Earth’s land surface, and I don’t say that to re-invoke your guilt. I say it to confirm that our collective guilt and grief are real, valid signals that we are not fulfilling our role in the ecosystem.

Something’s off.

It’s a realization that we lost the thread.

We lost track of our role here.

We gave it up to a few industries that turned around and polluted the planet.

I’m looking at conventional landscapers, pest control, big agriculture, big box nurseries spraying neonicotinoids, and so many “lawn care” services doing absolutely irresponsible damage to our soil and watersheds, that many of us still hire - end rant.

And of course, there’s many other industries adding to the mess (namely, the US military cough), but these are the ones handling the job description we abdicated: stewards of the land.

When you feel an ache for the state of the living world, your body is recognizing the ways we have abandoned our responsibility. When you find yourself crouching to look at a moth on your porch or Googling what that shrub on your walk is called, your curiosity is guiding you back to Nature.

The experience is a re-membering, really.

A re-membering of our parts that got separated.

A remembering that we belong here… not just in a nice, safe, held-by-mother way… but in a real, needed way. We are remembering our most ancient human function as stewards of the land where we live.. of our responsibility to the Earth we love… and need to thrive.

And the more we become aware of it, the more we are devastated at the levels of loss. It’s a vicious cycle, being eager to learn more, and then being shut down by the overwhelm.

Maybe you know all these thoughts and feelings well. You’ve been experiencing this ecological awakening for years, or maybe even decades. You’re like, Kendra, I get it. I know. I KNOW!!

You’ve been awake. You’ve cared deeply, and for a long time, while what is happening in the world gets harder to watch.

But the thing about any awakening is… it isn’t meant to be a permanent state.

We stay stuck in this state because no one has said: “you felt this way long enough, now here is how you honor it, work through it, and move into a new way of being.”

There’s been no rite of passage, no ritual, no process to move us out of freeze into fractal action.

(…yeah i just made up that phrase “fractal action” because it rang true in my poetic ears, so reply to tell me more if you know - I’d rather learn from you than the AI-wreckage on google - so no copying that crap either haha I want your imperfect messy inspired ideas only)

In case no one has told you yet, there is another way.

​The EarthCare Journey is a modern rite of passage.​

The Compass was captured during deep meditations with the Earth.

The Wisdom Circles are designed as rituals to support your journey into fractal action.

Yes, there are a ton of resources inside, but there’s also living guidance, so you don’t get stuck in the overwhelm of more information.

You will be guided to choose what works in your Place, first, and then also what resonates with you, and where you’re at in life. We will discuss what practices to bring into your life, how to honor yourself in the process, and work within your limits.

You will receive nervous system tools to regulate the very real emotions you’ve been carrying, so you can move through them, along with a group of others walking a similar path.

By the end of this slow, easy, year-long experience together, you will deepen your sense of belonging and become a confident steward of life in your Place (no matter how large or small).

And isn’t that what you’ve actually been craving?

A real, tangible way to make a difference?

You can read about the Journey on this page, or any of my previous emails for a list of what’s included (a library, seasonal live calls, a planning workshop, private chat space, etc)…

But what I’m really here to do is help you -

• remember what it means to be human,
• connect with others on the same journey,
• facilitate a reciprocal relationship with Nature,

… and move from simply “awake” to making small, steady steps toward the world your heart and body knows is possible, even when your logical mind argues.

It sounds like a lot, but it can be quite simple with a RoadMap, a Compass, and a Plan I’ll review myself with you.

​→ Join The EarthCare Journey for 50% off with code ECJ50 this Spring​

This is your invitation to take the challenge of becoming who you were meant to be, as a member of the human species, in the simplest easiest way I could design.

To be gently guided in your process of remembering how to be a human on this Earth. One rooted in a reciprocal relationship, taking mindful action to restore and regenerate what we’ve damaged and lost - within your capacity.

Small and simple is powerful. All you need is genuine curiosity, care, and a desire to connect with Nature’s wisdom at your own pace. We will provide the rest (and advise lots of rest too)!

And, since we don’t have many elders showing us the way, I will encourage you to let your intuition and innate connection to Nature lead the way, just like it led you to your ecological awakening in the first place.

For wild life and a wilder life,

Kendra

P.S. I’m curious, when did your awakening begin? Was it a single moment or has it crept up slowly? What was the most impactful thing you realized? Hit reply and let me know.

If you’re not ready for the Journey, or want to learn more about all this, check out this 9-page guide we created last year - 9 Signs You’re Having an Ecological Awakening.

Kendra Marie Hoffman