Nature Connectedness

Every now and then, a moment in nature quite literally stops me in my tracks. It might be evening light on a hillside, a sudden wildlife sighting, or a stillness settling on a loch at dusk, just as it did when I captured the image below, of an incredible July sunset over Loch Moidart. Such moments remind me of how lucky I am to be out there, camera in hand, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Peninsula. They remind me to slow down, take the opportunity to connect with nature and to experience a mix of calm, gratitude and wonder that stays with me long after I’ve packed up and gone home.

Intensity I - South Channel of Loch Moidart, Dorlin, Moidart

​However, in today’s increasingly urbanised and busy world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from nature. Most of us spend our days surrounded by concrete, screens, and routines that keep us indoors. But when we take even a few moments to step outside and really notice the natural world, something shifts. We feel a little calmer, a little lighter, and often, a bit more like ourselves. That’s the power of nature connectedness – the feeling that we’re part of something bigger than just our day-to-day to-do lists.
 
Helpfully, researchers from the University of Derby have come up with a way to think about how we can reconnect with nature in everyday life. It’s the Five Pathways to Nature Connectedness, and it’s not about hiking remote trails or becoming a wilderness expert. Instead, it’s about changing the way we relate to nature in our everyday lives through Contact, Beauty, Emotion, Meaning, and Compassion.
 
They say that the most straightforward way to connect with nature is through direct sensory contact. Whether it’s the smell of rain, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, or the feel of cool grass under your feet, tuning into those details helps us feel more present and grounded. These moments are small, but they can be powerful reminders that we’re part of a living, breathing world.
 
From there, it’s only natural to begin noticing beauty. Nature is full of it, once we start paying attention – the soft glow of the sun through the trees, the intricate patterns on a leaf, the surprising colour of a shell on the beach. When we take time to appreciate these things, we start to develop a sense of wonder. It’s a kind of quiet joy that doesn’t need words or explanation. And the more we notice, the more we realise how much beauty is all around us, even in places we might not expect.
 
As we spend more time noticing and appreciating nature, it often stirs up emotion. Maybe we feel peace watching birds fly overhead, or sadness seeing a tree that’s been cut down. Maybe we feel a deep sense of joy when we see something in bloom or a feeling of awe at a star-filled sky. These emotional responses matter. They help us form a deeper connection to the natural world, turning it from just a background to something we truly care about.
 
This care then creates space for reflection and meaning. Many people find that nature offers symbols or metaphors for their own lives – a river that reminds them to keep moving forward, a flower that shows resilience, a sunset that helps them let go of the day. Nature has always been woven into our stories, beliefs, and personal moments of clarity. It helps us make sense of things in quiet, powerful ways.
 
Finally, when we begin to feel connected emotionally and find personal meaning in the natural world, compassion follows. We start to care not just about how nature makes us feel, but about how our actions affect it. We want to protect it, nurture it, and help it thrive – whether that means picking up litter, planting wildflowers, supporting conservation efforts, or simply being more mindful about what we consume and throw away. These small choices reflect a deeper relationship. We’re no longer separate from nature; we’re part of it.
 
Reconnecting with nature doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with stepping outside, slowing down, and paying attention. From there, it grows – through the senses, through beauty, through feeling, through meaning, and through care. These five pathways are more than just steps; they’re reminders of how much nature has to offer us, and how much we, in return, can offer back.