For me, this year was all about ‘rewilding’ my self...
…in both body and spirit, I wanted to make conscious choices and changes which would lead me back to a more natural way of life. Over the course of twelve months I read a ton of books on rewilding and nature wisdom, I recorded a podcast to document twelve rewilding-challenges which I set out to fulfil each month, and I began to journal again every morning, a deeply spiritual practice I had neglected for far too long.
But I have now recommitted to what artist guru Julia Cameron famously coined as “Morning Pages”, and I’m amazed at all the ideas that come to mind when it’s undistracted und unhurried. The following ‘Habits of a Wild Woman’ is a guide I wrote for myself, and I have since printed it out and placed on my bedside table.
Please Steal My ‘Habits of a Wild Woman’ Guide:
Morning Practices
In those precious moments before dawn, when the world still whispers its secrets, we access an ancient knowing that our ancestors understood intimately. This liminal time – neither night nor day – holds unique potential for connecting with our deeper selves. Science has shown that cortisol levels naturally peak at dawn, making our minds especially alert and creative during these early hours.
By claiming this time as sacred, we’re not just following a romantic notion but aligning with our body’s natural rhythms. The practice of morning pages, popularised by Julia Cameron but rooted in centuries-old journaling traditions, serves as a bridge between our sleeping and waking consciousness, allowing insights to surface that often remain buried under the day’s noise.
Wild Morning Practices Pocket Guide:
- Wakes before dawn to witness the day’s birth
- Guards morning time as sacred space
- Begins day with gratitude and nature observation
- Writes morning pages to connect with inner wisdom
- Takes mindful walks, noticing small natural details
- Creates ceremony around morning coffee/tea ritual
Physical Practices
Our bodies carry ancient memories of movement that extend far beyond the confined spaces of gyms and scheduled classes. By tuning into our natural rhythms, particularly our hormonal cycles, we can discover a more intuitive way of moving that honors our body’s changing needs. Research in chronobiology shows that our physical capabilities fluctuate throughout our monthly cycle – strength peaks during ovulation, while the menstrual phase calls for gentler movement.
Barefoot walking, or “earthing,” isn’t just symbolic – studies have shown it can reduce inflammation and improve sleep quality through direct contact with the earth’s electrons. These practices aren’t about achieving perfect form or counting repetitions, but about rekindling our body’s innate wisdom and its connection to the natural world.
Wild Physical Practices Pocket Guide:
- Moves body in ways that feel natural and aligned with her cycle
- Exercises outdoors whenever possible
- Practices grounding through barefoot walking
- Takes “wild woman walks” for intentional nature connection
- Prioritises rest when her body demands it
- Listens to her body’s natural rhythms, needs and cycles
Mindset Habits
Wild Mindset Habits Pocket Guide:
- Questions any societal “should”
- Honours her intuitive knowing
- Embraces imperfections as natural and special
- Views any challenges as growth opportunities
- Views any rejection as protection!
- Celebrates other women’s successes
- Maintains healthy boundaries without apology
Nature Connection
The practice of maintaining a relationship with nature goes far deeper than casual observation. By studying local flora and fauna, we begin to understand the intricate web of life that surrounds us and our place within it. Traditional ecological knowledge teaches us that plants and animals are our first teachers – their patterns and behaviors offer practical wisdom about everything from weather prediction to sustainable living. Moon tracking isn’t merely a romantic pursuit; it connects us to natural cycles that influence everything from ocean tides to plant growth patterns.
When we mindfully collect natural objects, we’re not just gathering pretty things, but creating tangible connections to the seasons and the land’s stories.
Wild Nature Connection Pocket Guide:
- Maintains a small garden or potted plants which she may speak to when the mood strikes her
- Creates seasonal rituals
- Tracks moon phases
- Studies local flora and fauna
- Collects natural objects mindfully
- Makes time for solo wilderness moments
Creative Practices
Creativity in its wildest form isn’t about producing content for social media or seeking external validation – it’s about expressing our authentic relationship with the world around us. Nature journaling combines scientific observation with personal reflection, training both our analytical and intuitive minds. This practice, used by naturalists throughout history from Leonardo da Vinci to modern field researchers, develops our ability to notice patterns and relationships in the natural world.
When we create from this place of wild truth, we’re not just making art – we’re documenting our unique perspective on the living world and our place within it.
Wild Creative Practices Pocket Guide:
- Documents insights and observations in her journal
- Shares stories and wisdom authentically
- Creates from a place of wild truth, rather than the need to be validated or ‘seen’
- Maintains a nature journal
- Photographs beautiful moments, not for likes but for her own pleasure
- Crafts with natural materials
Living Space
Creating a home that honors both wildness and intention goes beyond aesthetic choices. Research in environmental psychology shows that our living spaces directly impact our mental health and behavior. By consciously bringing nature indoors – through natural light, plants, and organic materials – we create what biophilic design experts call “refuge spaces” that satisfy our innate need for connection with the natural world.
A sacred corner or altar isn’t just decorative; it serves as a physical anchor for our spiritual practices and intentions. The practice of maintaining “wild edges” in our homes – areas that aren’t perfectly manicured or controlled – reflects the natural balance between order and chaos found in healthy ecosystems.
Wild Living Space Pocket Guide:
- Creates a sacred corner or altar for herself and her favourite things
- Brings nature elements indoors and celebrates on ‘open window’ policy
- Keeps spaces beautiful yet functional, cleansed and clean
- Allows for plenty of quirks and wild edges
- Displays books and objects for visual inspiration
- Creates cosy nooks for reflection, down-time and reading
Relationship Habits
The art of holding space for others while maintaining our own wildness requires a delicate balance. Indigenous cultures have long practiced forms of council and circle work where deep listening is valued above quick fixes or advice-giving. When we share wisdom without preaching, we’re practicing what anthropologists call “social learning” – a key survival strategy in traditional societies.
Creating authentic connections means moving beyond superficial networking to build what sociologists call “communities of practice” – groups bound together by shared values and mutual support rather than obligation or convenience.
Wild Relationship Habits Pocket Guide:
- Shares wisdom without preaching
- Listens deeply to others’ stories
- Offers encouragement without fixing
- Maintains authentic connections that feel true to who she is
- Creates safe space for others’ growth
- Celebrates women’s unique paths
Self-Care Rituals
Self-care in its truest form isn’t about expensive products or elaborate routines – it’s about honoring our basic animal nature and its needs for rest, solitude, and natural rhythms. Research in chronobiology shows that regular disconnection from technology helps reset our circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality.
Grounding rituals connect us to what ecopsychologists call “ecological self” – our innate sense of interconnection with the natural world. Using natural self-care products isn’t just about avoiding chemicals; it’s about rediscovering traditional plant wisdom and supporting sustainable practices.
Wild Self-Care Rituals Pocket Guide:
- Takes regular social media breaks
- Creates technology-free zones
- Makes time for solitude
- Honors personal rhythms and needs
- Uses natural self-care products
- Practices regular grounding rituals
Learning Practices
True learning in the wild tradition isn’t about accumulating facts but developing what naturalists call “ecological literacy” – the ability to read and understand the language of nature. Studying traditional knowledge requires what anthropologists call “cultural humility” – approaching other ways of knowing with respect and openness. Plant identification isn’t merely a botanical exercise; it’s about developing relationship with our plant allies and understanding our local ecosystem’s health. This kind of learning is cyclical rather than linear, deepening with each season’s observations.
Wild Learning Practices Pocket Guide:
- Reads widely about nature and wisdom
- Studies traditional knowledge respectfully
- Learns local plant identification
- Develops outdoor skills
- Stays curious about natural phenomena
- Shares knowledge generously
Professional Practices
Bringing wildness into our professional lives means challenging the industrial growth model of constant productivity. Instead, we can look to nature’s patterns of growth and rest, expansion and contraction. Setting clear boundaries isn’t just about saying no; it’s about creating what ecologists call “edge effects” – rich zones where different environments meet and create new possibilities. Sustainable practices in our work reflect natural systems’ principles of recycling, regeneration, and reciprocity.
Wild Professional Practices Pocket Guide:
- Works with integrity
- Maintains clear boundaries
- Honours her worth
- Creates sustainable practices
- Balances giving and receiving
Speaking/Writing Habits
Our voices carry power when they emerge from authentic experience rather than borrowed wisdom. Using nature metaphors isn’t just poetic; it taps into what cognitive scientists call “embodied cognition” – our brain’s natural tendency to understand abstract concepts through physical experiences. Speaking truth with compassion mirrors the way natural systems maintain balance through multiple relationships and feedback loops.
Wild Speaking/ Writing Habits Pocket Guide:
- Shares from personal experience
- Uses nature metaphors
- Speaks truth with compassion
- Writes regularly to process insights
- Communicates clearly and authentically
Daily Rituals
Small daily ceremonies connect us to what anthropologists call “sacred time” – moments that stand outside ordinary chronological time. Noting synchronicities trains our attention to what indigenous cultures call “signs and symbols” – meaningful patterns in seemingly random events. Mindful eating practices reconnect us with ancient food ways and the sacred act of nourishment.
Wild Daily Rituals Pocket Guide:
- Notes synchronicities
- Takes regular nature breaks
- Practices mindful eating
- Creates ceremony in small moments
- Maintains a gratitude practice
- Observes seasonal changes
Growth Practices
Growth in the wild way means understanding that discomfort and challenge are natural parts of any ecosystem’s evolution. Stepping into gentle discomfort mirrors how plants respond to stress by becoming more resilient. Sharing vulnerably creates what ecologists call “disturbance” – necessary disruptions that lead to greater diversity and strength in natural systems. Remaining humble while owning our power reflects the balance found in mature ecosystems, where each element plays its crucial role without dominating the whole.
Wild Growth Practices Pocket Guide:
- Acknowledges fears without surrendering to them
- Steps regularly into gentle discomfort
- Learns from mistakes openly
- Shares vulnerably when appropriate
- Forever continues developing her skills
- Remains humble while owning her power
I hope the following list of habits inspires you and sparks your imagination. Feel free to copy and share it everywhere.
Do something wild this week!
Love,
G*
Hi ♥️, I’m Gisele Stein, author of feel-good novels with a little magic and places like characters, which i craft from my cosy cabin on Wadandi Boodja in Western Australia. Have a look at my books here. I’m also podcasting as The Earthy Writer, to document my rewilding year: Every new moon, I set a new rewilding intention for the month, and every full moon I share my learnings with you…
