Introducing Wild Wellbeing

Wezesha Wellbeing is rebranding to Wild Wellbeing! Wezesha (to empower, in Kiswahili) is still very much at the core of my work, however, it’s a bit of a mouthful for non-Kiswahili speakers and doesn’t quite capture the full essence. The meaning behind Wild Wellbeing is about empowering folks to get in touch with their inner / ‘wild’ selves, to shed society’s expectations, and reconnect with what truly, authentically fills them with joy and meaning. Many of us lose touch with that part of ourselves as we get older and feel the need to fit the mold of what society thinks we should be, rather than what we inherently desire. There are two parts to this meaning of ‘wild’: 1) your inner wild, authentic self and 2) the healing power of connecting with the wilderness around you.

So, what exactly does Wild Wellbeing do/offer?

• Coaching & psychosocial support, both online and in-person, for those looking to connect with their wild/authentic selves and step into their power, transform anxiety, as well as those looking to find more work-life balance that brings equal parts meaning and joy.
• Use of evidence-informed therapeutic tools such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, inner resourcing, identifying coping skills, and more
• A trauma-informed approach and safe space to voice your fears, dreams, and wild ambitions
• Nature-based and somatic healing modalities such as walking in nature, yoga, mindfulness, wilderness and yoga retreats, etc.
• Mental health & psychosocial support consulting for humanitarian settings and low and middle income countries

I have personally found, and evidence shows, that spending time in nature benefits our psychological and physical wellbeing, including cognitive development in children, self-control behaviors, better attention, improved memory, cognitive flexibility, stress reduction, better mood, improved empathy, reduced risks of psychiatric disorders, increased happiness and subjective wellbeing, positive social interactions, and a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life (more info on the benefits here). I have personally experienced this, growing up spending quite a lot of time outside in nature, and then seeking it out as often as possible as an adult. I am at my best when I’m surrounded by wilderness, on a remote camper van trip, running through a forest, or climbing the side of a rock face. (The mental health benefits of adventure is a topic I’ll cover another day, but here‘s a teaser if interested.) The challenge is, many of us don’t make time for nature, don’t feel comfortable in it, or it’s not accessible to us. Here are a few suggestions on how to access your inner and outer wild:

• Get in touch with your inner self / your intuition through meditation or spending time in solitude with your thoughts (unplug totally from your phone, etc.) – this could look like sitting in silence for 5 minutes or trying a 3-day silent meditation retreat.
• Practice yoga outside in a green space: many cities will offer classes outside especially in summer, or take your mat out to your balcony/backyard.
• Try this inner mentor meditation to get in touch with your authentic self
• Go on a camping trip with friends/family in a wild place (you could even start in your backyard!)
• Meet your friend for coffee in an outside café/park next time
• Take your next phone call while walking around your neighborhood
• Sign up for a class to learn more about wilderness skills
• Join a club or group that gets people outside (the Mountain Club of Kenya is how I know the majority of my friends)
• Read: Women Who Run With the Wolves, The Nature Fix, or Playing Big
• Sign up for a session with me to discuss more!

The challenge I will leave you with and for myself, is to take more risks, put yourself out there, make decisions and show up in the world from your inner wild self. We can do it together. I’m starting by writing again and putting my vulnerable thoughts out into the world. If I can do it, so can you! Here is some inspiration to ponder until next time…

“Be wild; that is how to clear the river. The river does not flow in polluted, we manage that. The river does not dry up, we block it. If we want to allow it its freedom, we have to allow our ideational lives to be let loose, to stream, letting anything come, initially censoring nothing.” ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ― Mary Oliver

“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.” ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves