Grow wildly, wherever you are
A gift to green up your digital space
My wildling friend,
I’m so grateful to share this time with you.
Even when we can’t step outside, nature can meet us where we are. Whether it’s through the art on our walls, the books we read, or the quiet rituals that bring us comfort, we can surround ourselves with the wild world in simple, meaningful ways.
In this edition, I share a heartfelt gift to help you let nature in and a glimpse into what’s bringing me joy these days.
With Wild Abandon, We Grow
I’m thrilled to share something special with you - free desktop wallpapers I created from one of my botanical photographs. These images are designed to bring a touch of nature’s calm to your digital space and gently remind you that you are part of something bigger and beautifully alive.
Download the wallpaper in four sizes: 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024, 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160
These wallpapers come in standard sizes for Windows machines. This may be less-than-ideal for Mac users and other devices. If you’re a paid subscriber and need a custom wallpaper size, reply to this email, and I’ll do my best to make one for you!
May this small gift from the wild bring you strength and inspiration. 🌟
A Closer Look at Nature
This particular photograph captures rain pooling on leaves after a storm. The way water clings to a leaf, the patterns that emerge in the quiet moments after the rainfall. The nourishment of the water and how it encourages life.
The type of photography I do is “botanical texture” photography. It’s about getting close to the intricate details of nature. It makes me curious, leading to intimate examination and exploration.
The Whispering Wilds method was born from this kind of deep observation, learning from nature’s patterns to bring healing, resilience, and balance into our lives.
Photography is a Practice for Everyone
I’ve been capturing nature’s patterns for over 20 years, using increasingly professional camera gear. However, you don’t need anything fancy to do this yourself. My first camera was just 5 megapixels. Today’s phone cameras are ten times more powerful!
What matters isn’t the equipment. It's how you see the world. Slow down, look closer, and let nature be your muse. 🌿
Movement, Breath, and Creativity
For me, photography isn’t just about the image. It's a full-body experience. To capture my unusual compositions, I get up-close-and-personal with my subject. I twist into odd positions, hold still for long periods, and deeply control my breath to steady my shots, regardless of how my subject moves in various weather conditions. It’s almost like yoga with a camera!
This is somatic art, where creativity engages the body.
Somatic simply means something that involves the body in a mindful way.
In future posts, I'll talk about how the Whispering Wilds method blends nature with somatic movement for whole-person well-being.
Controlling my breath throughout photography sessions is breathwork. Breathwork comes in many forms, all of which activate your nervous system. For example…
Fast breaths are great for cleansing and create controlled hyperventilation, which increases heart rate.
Slow breaths are calming.
Long exhales and holding your breath force your body to slow down and relax out of fight-or-flight mode.
Since I'm a certified breathwork coach, breathing exercises are woven into most of what we do in the Whispering Wilds method, and are a constant in my daily life.
“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson
Movement and breathwork may not be medically advisable for everyone, though. If they aren't an option for you, that’s okay! This kind of photography is still within your grasp. The key is being aware, noticing, and connecting with nature in your own way. 🌿
"With Wild Abandon, I Will Grow Where I’m Planted"
This phrase is written on the wallpapers I've made for you. It’s how I personally reframe the old maxim, "Bloom where you’re planted."
While blooming is beautiful, it’s only one part of the cycle. Growth is ongoing. Growth means momentum, resilience, and thriving at every stage - not just at the moment of blossoming.
To grow with wild abandon is to embrace life fully. To love deeply, to learn constantly, to laugh heartily, to face challenges with tenacity.
You may be in a difficult season right now. Maybe your mind is heavy, your body is weary, or your spirit feels lost. Maybe where you live is far from your ideal home. Or perhaps you feel perfectly content! What matters is that you try your best to grow in whatever way you can, wherever you are planted. 🌲
Pause for a Moment of Stillness
We’ve all heard of the “calm before the storm,” but there is incredible stillness after the storm passes. For simple rainfall, it’s a quick pause before the sun returns, the birds sing again, and life's business continues.
I invite you to take a few minutes right now to experience absolute stillness, capturing the magic of those brief moments after the storm.
This is especially important if life feels chaotic and distressing. Sometimes you have to take a step back and make room for quiet. Make room for simply not doing.
So, let’s pause with a quick mindful exercise. Please read the following steps, then give it a try!
Eliminate distractions. Put your phone on silent, turn off email notifications, and shut the door.
Find a comfortable place to sit where your body will be well-supported.
Set a timer for 5 minutes if you wish. You can set a timer for longer, or you can do this without a timer at all.
Notice any sounds, smells, or other stimuli around you. Experience them and then let them go. You don’t need them right now.
Close your eyes. Imagine yourself someplace lush and green. Picture raindrops clinging to blades of grass and folds of leaves. See how the sky shifts colors as the clouds lift. Hear the silence in the absence of rainfall. Smell the wet earth.
Focus on your breathing. Feel your breath and let that be your focus until everything else melts away. If it’s medically safe for you, breathe in through your nostrils. Notice how your breath moves from your nose down to your lungs, then how it travels back through your nose in exhalation. Let this build to a rhythmic cycle at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Slower is better for relaxation.
Accept your mind as it is. While breathing mindfully, let thoughts float. Notice them. Don’t fight them, but don’t get stuck on them. Let them happen and let them pass. Return your focus to your breath.
Keep this going until your timer runs out or until it feels right to return from this state. If at any time during this exercise your body signals unrest - strange sensations, signs of panic, muscle spasms, sudden aches - respect your limits. (Make note of the physical reaction. It may be worth exploring in a journal or mentioning to your doctor or therapist, if you’re in care.)
Slowly open your eyes and notice where you are again. Let your eyes adjust to the light and sights, and allow your other senses to wake up to your environment.
Take memories of this stillness with you through the rest of your day.
Life is full of storms. Remember you can return to this exercise in quietude at any time to interrupt the stress and chaos.
A Season of Rain, A Season of Possibility
If it feels like I’ve been focusing on rain a lot lately, that’s no accident.
As we begin to stir from winter’s slumber, we enter a season when rain becomes a life-giving force - soaking the earth, awakening roots, and calling forth new growth.
Soon, we’ll shift to other themes in upcoming emails and podcast episodes. But for now, let’s prepare for the nourishing rains - both literal and symbolic - and consider what they might bring to our lives. 🌱
Things I'm Loving, Things I'm Doing
Sharing a little view into my world and how I draw in the wild - what’s inspiring me, nourishing me, and sparking joy right now. Maybe something here will resonate with you, too!
📖 What I’m Reading:
The Organic Artist by Nick Neddo feels like it was written just for me. It's a guidebook to creating art from nature - making inks, paints, brushes, pens, and other media from the earth’s offerings. A true treasure trove for anyone drawn to the intersection of art and our planet, filled with projects that challenge, delight, and deepen your connection to the wild.
🌱 What I’m Planning:
Referencing the 2025 Farmer's Almanac (a lovely Christmas gift from my mom), I'm planning my medicinal garden for spring. This year, I’m expanding it significantly. Every seed, every sprout, every patch of soil is a step toward health and self-sufficiency.
I’m also running a little Ko-fi fundraiser. Tips sent my way until the goal is met will help fund the garden, from organic soil to new containers. If you’ve ever thought about tipping me in thanks for Whispering Wilds content, know that it will nourish my family and keep us healthy through 2025 and beyond. 🌼💖
🎥 What I’m Watching:
I’m rewatching one of my all-time favorite TV shows, The Last Kingdom, with my partner. I’ve fallen madly in love with it again! Sure, there are historical liberties, but the story's heart is incredible. "Destiny is all," as Uhtred says - but in true Norse heathen style, every character comes to know when we can choose our path and when our path chooses us.
One of my favorite things about this series is how the landscape frequently shapes the characters’ decisions. Nature is almost a character in its own right. The nature scenes are breathtaking! Plus, if you enjoy natural omens, superstition, and a touch of the supernatural woven into "Viking-era" history, this show delivers. (Fair warning - it’s a gritty retelling of a violent time, so expect some graphic blood and battle.)
🍵 What I’m Drinking:
Right now, I’m sipping on Tealyra’s Tranquil Dream loose leaf herbal tea, a beautifully balanced blend of chamomile, honeybush, lavender, and pink peppercorn. A little floral, a little spicy, and deeply calming. I drink 45-60 ounces of herbal teas a day. Soon, I’ll share more about tea rituals and their place in the Whispering Wilds method. Stay tuned if you love a good cup of herbal tea or want to get started with herbal teas!
Pro tip: if you drink loose leaf tea, invest in a French press. You can find good stainless steel and glass presses for less than $20. It makes steeping multiple cups so much easier!
What’s inspiring you right now? What are you reading, watching, or consuming that brings a little extra brightness to your days? I’d love to hear! Hit reply (works for paid subscribers) or email me at dina@whisperingwilds.com (works for everyone). 💚
Thank You for Growing with Me
I’m grateful for your presence here, for your curiosity, and for the way you welcome nature into your life. May the coming days bring you moments of calm, inspiration, and quiet growth.
Go gently, live wildly, and trust your journey. I’ll see you soon!🌿
With appreciation and admiration,
Dina
If you enjoy The Whispering Wilds and feel moved to help, tips are always appreciated and keep this space thriving. ✨
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Please Note...
The Whispering Wilds method is not a replacement for medical and mental health care. Alternative health and wellness shines when it complements modern medicine, just as I believe modern medicine is at its best when accompanied by a holistic perspective. If you have a heart, lung, or circulatory condition, or suspect you do, or if you have a mental health disorder, or suspect you do, please ask your doctor or therapist before beginning any wellness practice.
Breathwork, meditation, journaling, movement, and other practices in The Whispering Wilds aren't suitable for everyone. The good news is that if your doctor or therapist advises you against a particular practice, the Whispering Wilds method will likely present alternatives to explore. Always ask your medical or mental health professionals first because we are all complex, unique individuals, and no true wellness approach is one-size-fits-all.