Embracing the chill and navigating new challenges.
We've now started back at Wildschool for Term 2, and I've got to be honest, I was a bit nervous about it. Being an introvert by nature, it's always daunting heading into a new term with new people and hoping everyone has a good time.
I'm glad to report, as usual, I was definitely over thinking.
This blog post I'll be talking about
- ❄️ SAD- the winter woes and tips for getting yourself and your Wildlings out in winter
- ❄️ The benefits of getting out in winter; including sleep patterns, energy levels, dopamine and serotonin and ADHD.
- ❄️ Some teething problems I've had recently running a new business and overcoming guilt associated with that
- ❄️ My battle with Imposter syndrome and how building our community has helped me
- ❄️ Our first weeks back at Wildschool and some activities you can try at home
- ❄️ Changing our thoughts and language around being outside during winter
Benefits of being outside and defeating those winter blues
Winter is here, and the thought of being outside for hours on end isn't exactly most people's idea of a good time, right?
But I have to say, running Wildschool has pushed me to get outside, and it's been a total gift.
Being outside in the winter has been a game-changer for me. It's really helped me fight those winter blues, which, as a Mamma of 4 (with mostly winter babies) is something I've struggled with. The effects of SAD are so real, and it can be tough to deal with.
I know it might sound crazy, but hear me out....
Being outside in nature, even when it's cold and wet, has so many benefits for our minds and bodies! For one thing, it can help boost your mood and energy levels (and who doesn't love more energy!)
Exposure to natural light, even on a cloudy day, can also help regulate your body's circadian rhythm, which is responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. This is because natural light exposure helps to suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy and helps regulate your sleep.
When you're exposed to natural light during the day, your body produces less melatonin, which helps you feel more awake and alert. This can be especially important during the winter months, when the days are shorter and there is less natural light available!
In addition to its effects on sleep, exposure to natural light has also been shown to have other benefits for both physical and mental health. For example, it can help boost vitamin D levels, which is important for bone health and immune function. It can also help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Plus, when you're active outside, whether it's hiking, playing games, or doing nature crafts, your body releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in your brain. These chemicals also help boost your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health.
In addition to endorphins, outdoor activity has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals are important for regulating mood, appetite, and sleep.
For people with ADHD, these chemicals can be especially important, as they play a key role in regulating attention and focus. Dopamine, in particular, is important for motivation and reward processing.
By increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin through being outdoors, people with ADHD can experience improved mood, focus, and motivation, as well as reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is why many people with ADHD report feeling more focused and productive after spending time outside.
Another thing I've noticed is that being outside in the winter can help build resilience and grit. You've got to learn how to adapt and problem-solve when the weather gets tough. You might need to layer up with warm clothing, build a shelter, or start a fire to stay warm.
But once you figure it out, you feel like a total boss.
Being outside in the winter can help you connect with nature in a totally different way. The winter landscape can be stark and beautiful, with frost and ice creating intricate patterns and textures. You might see different wildlife than you would in the summer, or notice how the trees and plants have adapted to the cold!
It really is a pretty cool way to appreciate the world around us.
So if you're feeling the winter blues, I totally get it. But I encourage you to bundle up, head outside, and see what the season has to offer.
Teething problems and overcoming guilt
Recently, I had to cancel our minis sessions at one of my locations due to some changes in our locations opening times. It was tough, especially because it was the same location of a session that I'd accidentally missed due to some confusion on my part with my booking system. This resulted in a mumma and mini waiting for me! I felt so guilty and upset, especially because I know how important these sessions are to the minis and their mummas.
I'm trying to understand that these things happen. As a new business owner, I'm bound to make mistakes. And that's okay. What's important is that I keep moving forward, learning from those mistakes and doing what I can do make it right.
One thing that's been really helpful for me is to be proactive about my booking system, I've been more vigilant in double-checking all bookings to make sure they're in the right location. It's not foolproof, but it's helped me feel more confident in my ability to manage my business.
Another thing that's been helpful is to remind myself that I'm only human and sometimes having ADHD can make things a little more challenging at times. But I'm doing my best, and that's all I can ask of myself.
If you're a new business owner who's struggling, know that you're not alone. We all make mistakes, and that's okay. What's important is that we keep learning and growing from those mistakes.
Keep being kind to yourself, keep moving forward, and remember that we are all human.
Dealing with Imposter syndrome
For those who don't know, imposter syndrome is the feeling that you're not good enough or that you don't belong. It's something that I've struggled with being a new business owner.
One thing that's helped has been building our community, it's been such a healing experience for me. Being around like-minded people who are also working on themselves has helped me realize that I'm not alone. It's helped me see that we all have our struggles and that it's okay to ask for help.
Although I haven't fully overcome imposter syndrome yet, I'm hopeful that I will. I know that it's a process, and that it's something that I'll always be working on. I'm grateful for the support of our community, and I'm excited to continue growing and learning.
Our first weeks back and some activities you can try at home
Over the last few weeks we also had our meet and greet session at our second location, which thankfully went off without a problem! It was magical. We had some lovely souls show up, and it was such a vibe. Beautiful weather and kind hearts. Being a part of this community is such a blessing, I'm so excited to see it grow.
During our second week, we made some magic flowers that open up in water. It was such a beautiful way to understand respect. We talked about how just like the flowers need water to bloom, we all need certain things to grow and thrive. And when we respect each other's needs, we can all bloom together.
We also held a compliment circle. It was so heartwarming to see the children lift each other up with kind words. But it wasn't just about making each other feel good. It was a way for the children to understand respect. When we give someone a compliment, we're showing them that we see and appreciate them. We're respecting their unique qualities and strengths.
Overall, our first weeks have been such a grounding experience.
Although our groups currently have low numbers, I'm confident they will grow. I understand being a new business it takes time to get the word out there, but I've had the most incredible feedback from our community and watching it grow and flourish is so rewarding.
Changing our language towards winter and my favourite winter tips
Our summer numbers were much higher, not too many people are excited about getting outside during winter, but I'd like to change our mindset around winter weather.
Winter can be a tough time to get outside, especially when you have little ones, I'd like to share my best tips for getting out in winter with children, and why it's so important for both you and your wildlings.
As we've covered, getting outside in winter can help boost your mood and energy levels. The fresh air and natural light can help combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep issues and stress. Not to mention, it's a great way to stay active and get some exercise.
But when it comes to getting out in winter with children, it's all about being prepared. Make sure everyone is dressed warmly and comfortably, add layers that can be added or removed as needed. Always keep a change of clothes and a towel in the car.
Don't forget the snacks and especially hot drinks to keep everyone fueled and tummies warm. A Thermos is a must.
Embrace the winter weather and find activities that are unique to the season. ❄️ Take a winter nature walk and look for animal tracks or other signs of life ❄️ find magic in frost settling on spider webs ❄️ make an ice sun catcher ❄️ light a fire, tell stories, and toast some marshmallows.
Let's change our thoughts and language around getting out in winter with children, let's focus on the positive benefits of outdoor activity, rather than the potential challenges or discomforts.
Instead of saying "it's too cold to go outside," let's say "let's bundle up and enjoy the fresh air!" By framing outdoor activities as fun and exciting, we can help children develop positive associations with being outside in winter.
Another way to change our thoughts and language is to involve children in the process of getting ready to go outside. By giving them a sense of ownership and control over the experience, we can help them feel more invested and engaged in the activity.
For example, we could ask children to help choose their winter gear, or involve them in planning and preparing for outdoor activities like finding frozen water, drawing pictures in a thick frost and seeing which creatures prefer winter.
By making outdoor activities a collaborative and enjoyable experience, we can help children develop positive associations with being outside in winter.
We can model positive attitudes and behaviors around outdoor activity, by showing enthusiasm and excitement for the experience ourselves. By demonstrating our own enjoyment of being outside in winter, we can help children develop a sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world, and foster a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Finally, don't forget to have fun! Getting outside in winter can be a great opportunity to bond with your children and make some special memories.
Don't let the cold weather hold you back, change your thoughts and language around winter weather and show your Wildlings that there's rarely such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
Rug up, enjoy winter.
Until next time,
