When Nobody Close Gets Your Connection to Nature & Spirituality: 4 Powerful Paths Forward
Navigating your spiritual journey in a world that doesn't always understand
Have you ever felt that spark of excitement after a transformative weekend in nature, only to have it fizzle when you try to share it with loved ones who just...don't get it? That hollow feeling when your enthusiasm about the solstice celebration or morning meditation practice is met with blank stares or polite nods?
I remember coming home from an earth-based spirituality retreat several years ago, absolutely buzzing with new practices and insights. My heart was so full, I couldn't wait to share everything with my family, perhaps we could start doing sit spots together, or create a small ancestral altar, or begin each meal with gratitude.
The response? A few distracted "hmm"s before everyone returned to their screens.
That disconnect can feel so isolating. But here's what I've learned after years of navigating this terrain: you're not alone in feeling alone. And there are beautiful, effective ways to honor your connection path without requiring others to join you.
In this post (and in the full podcast episode you can listen to here), I'm sharing four approaches that have been absolute lifelines for me, and for hundreds of others I've worked with who are walking this path of deeper connection in a world that often prioritizes disconnection.
1. Practice For Yourself, Not To Change Others
When I first began deepening my nature connection and spiritual practices, I made a classic mistake: I tried to bring everyone along with me. I used every trick, infectious enthusiasm, incentives, logical arguments, to get my friends as excited as I was about sit spots, gratitude rituals, and seasonal celebrations.
The result? Resistance, awkwardness, and sometimes even arguments because I didn't feel seen or understood.
The breakthrough came when I shifted my perspective: what if these practices were just for me? What if their value wasn't dependent on others participating?
There's powerful evidence that personal practices, whether they're nature connection, gratitude, or meditation, benefit us across all dimensions of life. By honoring what nourishes you without needing others to validate or join you, you actually become more grounded, centered, and present for those around you.
I still smile thinking about the day my young children, after years of quietly observing me do sit spots, asked if they could try one too during a family walk. It wasn't because I had pushed or persuaded, it was simply because they had witnessed, over time, something that clearly brought me joy and peace.
Practical Tip: Choose one practice that deeply nourishes you, whether it's a morning meditation, a weekly sit spot in nature, or a simple gratitude ritual, and commit to doing it solely for yourself for the next 30 days. Notice how it affects your well-being, regardless of whether others understand or participate.
2. Find Your Kindred Spirits (They're Out There!)
Remember that feeling of relief when you finally meet someone who just "gets it"? That immediate sense of recognition and belonging? That connection is vital, we need it to thrive, but it doesn't have to come from those physically closest to us.
I learned this lesson when, feeling isolated in my spiritual practice, I nervously posted in a local community group asking if anyone would be interested in marking the seasonal turning points together. I expected maybe one or two responses.
Within a day, fifteen people had reached out—fifteen people in my small community who were longing for the same connection! Three years later, our seasonal gathering group has grown to over thirty people who come together regularly, creating something beautiful that ripples out into all our lives.
We are the culture creators here. We are the ones with the vision of how things could be. And sometimes, we need to be brave enough to reach beyond our immediate circles to find our people.
Practical Tip: Take one small brave step toward finding kindred spirits this week. This might be joining an online group, attending a workshop or event, reaching out to someone you suspect might share your interests, or even starting a simple gathering yourself. Be specific about what you'll do and when.
3. Create the Culture You Want to See
There's a beautiful quote often attributed to Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." When it comes to connection culture, this couldn't be more relevant.
We often wait for the community or culture we long for to somehow find us, when in reality, we must actively create it.
Start doing something you've always wanted to do—wild swimming, forest walks, community singing, seasonal celebrations—and invite others to join. Keep it simple, make it participatory, and be consistent. You might be surprised by who shows up and the connections that form.
When I began hosting small fire circles in my garden, inviting neighbors to bring a poem or story to share, I worried it might feel forced or awkward. Instead, it became a monthly gathering that people now look forward to—a tiny pocket of the culture I'd been longing for, growing right in my own backyard.
The key is to start where you are, with what you have, and to be patient. Culture shifts happen slowly, one gathering, one relationship, one moment of authentic connection at a time.
Practical Tip: Identify one simple culture-creating action you could take in the next month. Perhaps it's inviting a few friends for a nature walk with 10 minutes of silent observation, hosting a small seasonal celebration, or starting a book club focused on connection topics. What small seed could you plant that might grow into the community you're longing for?
4. Turn to the Land Itself When Human Connection Falls Short
Sometimes, when human connection around these topics feels lacking, the most profound connection comes from beyond the human world. This has been my most reliable source of comfort and belonging when I've felt misunderstood or alone in my path.
The trees don't roll their eyes when you talk to them. The birds don't think it's strange when you sit quietly observing. The earth receives your bare feet with the same generosity regardless of whether anyone else understands why you want to feel the soil between your toes.
I've found that when I focus on deepening my relationship with the land where I live—with the plants, animals, and elements—my need for human validation around these practices diminishes. Not that community isn't important—it absolutely is—but there's a fundamental nourishment that comes directly from nature herself.
Like that little windowsill plant that somehow thrives despite neglect, we too can find ways to grow and flourish even when the conditions aren't perfect. We find the light, we reach for it, we adapt. And in that adaptation, there's wisdom and resilience.
Practical Tip: Create a simple ritual of asking for support from the more-than-human world. This might be sitting quietly by a tree, lighting a candle at a small personal altar, or walking barefoot on the earth while expressing what's in your heart. Ask for what you need—connection, clarity, courage—and then sit in receptive silence, noticing what arises.
Your Invitation to Deeper Connection
If you're feeling the resonance of these words—if you too have been walking this path of deeper connection while feeling somewhat alone—please know that you're part of a growing community of people reclaiming these essential ways of being.
The approaches I've shared today have been lifelines for me:
Do your practices for yourself, without needing others to join you
Seek out and nourish connections with like-minded people
Become a culture creator, actively building the community you wish existed
Turn to the land itself when human connection falls short
If you're ready to deepen this journey with structured support and like-minded community, I have an extraordinary invitation for you.
For a limited time, I'm including my comprehensive Life Compass Curriculum—normally priced at £950—completely FREE when you join the Connection Matters membership.
The Life Compass Curriculum guides you through eight essential life areas:
Purpose & Vision
Personal Practices & Connection to Nature
Emotional Wellbeing
Human Relationships
Physical Health & Vitality
Living Environment & Belonging
Learning & Growth
Work and Money
This transformational program opens in July, and by signing up now, you'll be part of the first cohort. The yearly Connection Matters membership is just £670—giving you access to practices, support around creating connection gatherings, inspiring webinars with guest facilitators, and so much more.
Plus, yearly members receive a one-to-one coaching call with me after completing the first module, helping you take action right from the start.
Click here to learn more about this special offer
For more inspiration and practical wisdom on your connection journey, listen to the full podcast episode here, where I dive deeper into these approaches and share more personal stories and examples.
What practices or approaches have helped you stay connected to nature and spirituality when those around you don't share your interests? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
With heart, Leona
