Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Launching Life Between the Trails Nature-Based Wellbeing Sessions.

Over the past few months, Life Between the Trails has quietly been growing into something I never originally imagined it would become.

What started as a way for me to reflect on the importance of slowing down and spending time in nature has gradually led me to a place where I’m now preparing to run my first nature-based wellbeing sessions here in Alsager.

If I’m honest, it feels both exciting and a little terrifying.

Because stepping into something new often means stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Where the idea began

Life Between the Trails started during a difficult period in my life when things felt overwhelming and my mental health was struggling.

At the time, walking the dog felt like a chore. Something I forced myself to do rather than something I wanted to do. But during those walks I started to notice something important: even when I didn’t feel like going, being outside shifted something in me.

Nature didn’t fix everything.

But it steadied me.

Slowly I began to realise that the moments I felt most grounded were often the moments when I had allowed myself to pause and notice what was around me; the light through the trees, the sound of the wind, the rhythm of walking.

That realisation led me to start Life Between the Trails, sharing reflections about nature, wellbeing, and the importance of slowing down.

As I continued reflecting on those experiences, I eventually wrote a book sharing my journey and the role nature played in supporting my wellbeing. Writing it helped me realise just how powerful the simple moments outdoors can be and how much it actually supported me, not through big adventures or long hikes, but through slowing down and noticing the natural world around us.

From reflection to action

For a long time, Life Between the Trails existed as writing, ideas, conversations and personal experiences in nature shared with family.

But over the past few months I kept coming back to the same thought:

What if I could create a space where other people could experience this too?

Could I give others that specific time to actually stop their busy lives and take some time for themselves?

Would others appreciate and benefit from this as much as me?

The more I thought about it and discussed it with others around me, the more encouragement I got and the more I started to believe that this could be something really helpful for the community. And, of course as a Health Care Professional, I always want to help and support others, and want to make the group accessible for all.

 I started to think about it in more detail and how I wanted these sessions to look:

Not a fitness group.

Not a structured programme.

Not therapy.

Just a gentle, welcoming space outdoors where people could slow down, notice nature, and spend time together without pressure.

That idea eventually grew into the Life Between the Trails Nature-Based wellbeing sessions, which I’m now launching in collaboration with Hub & Health Alsager.

Learning as I go

One of the things I’ve learned while setting this up is just how much there is to think about behind the scenes.

When you have an idea that feels simple, like spending time outdoors, it can be surprising how many practical steps are involved in turning it into something real.

There have been lots of things to learn along the way:

• writing risk assessments

• thinking about safeguarding

• organising insurance

• setting up booking systems

• creating session plans

• designing leaflets and information

• advertising and networking

• and more…

  
  

None of these things are particularly glamorous, but they are all part of creating something that is safe, thoughtful and welcoming.

And like many new experiences, I’ve been learning as I go.

Stepping outside my comfort zone

Putting something out into the world always comes with a level of vulnerability.

There have definitely been moments where I’ve wondered:

Will anyone come?

Am I ready for this?

What if it doesn’t work?

Will people like it?

But I keep coming back to the reason Life Between the Trails started in the first place.

Because spending time in nature helped me when I needed it most.

And if these sessions create a space where even a few people feel calmer, more connected, or less alone, then it will have been worth stepping outside my comfort zone.

What the sessions are about

The sessions themselves are intentionally simple.

They focus on:

🌿 sitting in nature

🌿 noticing the environment

🌿 gentle nature-based activities

🚶 optional short strolls ☕ optional tea and chat afterwards at Hub & Health

There is no pressure to talk, walk far, or take part in any particular way.

Sometimes simply being outdoors, together, is enough.

The beginning of something new

This feels like the beginning of a new chapter for Life Between the Trails.

Not a perfectly planned one, but one that feels meaningful to me.

Like many things in life, it’s something that [hopefully] will continue to grow and evolve over time.

For now, it’s about taking the first step.

Or perhaps more fittingly for Life Between the Trails… seeing where the path leads.

If you’re local to Alsager and curious about joining a session, you can find more information via the booking link https://NaturebasedwellbeingLBT.eventbrite.co.uk

You’d be very welcome.

For updates on the sessions or even if Life Between The Trails ethos just resonates with you, follow along on social media @lifebetweenthetrails

In many ways, Life Between the Trails, the writing, the book, and now these sessions, all come from the same place: a simple reminder that slowing down and reconnecting with nature can support us in ways we sometimes forget.