Reconnecting Together: A Couple's Guide to Living Well and Treading Lightly

JK - Where The Mind Grows
Apr 22
4 min read

Many of the clients I work with, describe how this over-busy era we live in makes an impact on their partnership/personal relationship.

Long work hours - probably more than you signed up or get paid for.

Digital distractions stealing moments of present conversation together, and fleeting moments together that often feel rushed and disconnected.

Perhaps you spend more time ‘wunderlusting’ of a time better-connected. Then actually finding the time, to make it happen!

While you might be dreaming of morning walks in nature, growing your own food, going on a big adventure or simply sharing quiet moments outdoors, the reality often involves takeout dinners, separate schedules, and probably far too much screen time then you would like to admit.

Its not to say time alone isn’t a healthy part of thriving relationships, yet choosing your time together and apart is very different to feeling like ships in the night.

You might be one of those couples, grown up in a time that sat between the cusp of ‘consumption’ and ‘environmentalism’ where tensions between career success and the price of everything lead you one way, while your collective values and interests mean you long to be contributing more deeply to a simple and caring way of life.

Many of us feel the disconnect between our values and our daily reality – wanting to live more sustainably and connected to nature, while being caught in the cycle of consumerism and the bustle of life’s modern commodities and conveniences.

Embarking on a change together can make all the difference. Giving time for your individual visions and practices as well as a combined effort in re-designing your life.

The need and want for clients to do this together, is what forged our offering of a ‘couples life coaching programme’. Unlike traditional couples therapy, nature-based coaching focuses on helping partners realign their shared values with their lifestyle choices, using the natural world as both metaphor, medicine AND MENTOR!. Co-creating a life that feels more authentic and aligned.

One that already has some of the important roots, in which to grow your vision.

To have a sense of your individual selves and interests, as well as nurturing compassionate and connected coupling!

Perhaps you never even realised that something out there existed like this.

The benefits of this approach could be quite profound:

- Deeper connection through shared experiences in nature

- Improved communication when away from digital distractions

- Renewed sense of purpose and shared values

- Reduced stress and anxiety

- Greater satisfaction in their relationship through mutual growth

- Increased mindfulness in consumption and lifestyle choices

When my husband and I cultivated our collective 'design for life' together, Adventure was something we agreed was profoundly important and reconnecting for us. especially in Nature.

Right now, we’re on an adventure (April 2025) along the West Highland Way. Combining a physical health challenge, time together in Nature, digital resets and a sense of excitement from exploring a new area and forging experiences together.

This helps not just in our connected partnership but also for each other individually and I even find myself growing greater impact and energy in my business as well.

–

Getting Started Together- some ideas to inspire

Begin with simple steps that feel manageable within your current lifestyle:

Start with a weekly "nature date." This could be as simple as a morning walk in your local park or an evening stargazing session. The key is to make it regular and protected time.

Create a shared vision board for your ideal lifestyle. Include images of the natural spaces you love, the sustainable practices you'd like to adopt, and the ways you want to spend time together. Keep it visible as a daily reminder of your goals.

Identify one sustainable change to implement each month. Perhaps it's starting a small herb garden, switching to plastic-free products, or cooking more meals together using local ingredients. Small changes add up over time.

Explore the idea of roots in place & community. From understanding your histories/herstories and heritage to getting involved and engaged as part of the place and community initiatives where you live. Considering time and commitment principles in this, to stay happy and find it meaningful.

Establish tech-free zones or times in your home where you can focus solely on each other and your natural surroundings. This might mean no phones during dinner or in the bedroom.

Remember, heading towards a more conscious, nature-connected lifestyle isn't about perfection. It's about making intentional choices together and supporting each other through the changes. (think of it as another adventure!)

Working with a nature-based coach like myself can provide the structure, accountability, and guidance needed to transform these aspirations into lasting change.

The simplicity you seek might feel radical in today's world, but it's worth it to you, then its worth pursuing. By choosing a simple and connected life, you're investing in a future that aligns with your values and the health of our planet.