The Soul Forager’s Guide to Creative Healing
A Memory in Nature — Soul Foraging Begins
Have you ever felt a story inside you—so deeply woven into your heart—that you hardly know where to begin? Maybe it’s a memory, a dream, or even a feeling you can’t quite name. I’ve had so many of those moments, where words felt too limited to capture what was inside.
That’s when I turned to art—and nature.
Through mixed media collage and time spent in the natural world, I have found a way to give my stories space to breathe. Every colour, texture, and layer becomes a chapter, while the quiet rhythms of nature ground me, offering clarity and connection. Together, they have helped me unearth my stories, bringing emotions to life in ways that words never could. This soul foraging—exploring both creativity and nature—has become my way of discovering and honouring the stories woven deeply within my heart.
Soul Foraging Begins 🌿
Over the next 8 weeks, I’ll be sharing a weekly blog post with a Soul Foraging prompt with you.
The Soul Foraging journey is a creative exploration designed to help you uncover your personal stories, connect deeply with nature, and prepare for the transformative Soulful Stories workshop in January. Each week, there will be a new blog post featuring a creative prompt rooted in reflection, storytelling, and the healing power of art.
Here’s what you can expect:
Each week’s prompt invites you to:
Spend time in nature, finding inspiration in its textures, colours, and symbols.
Reflect on meaningful memories, emotions, or themes from your life.
Create a piece of art that captures your unique story.—whether it’s a collage, a painting, or anything whatsoever that your creative spirit desires—
The prompts are designed to be flexible and accessible, encouraging you to create in a way that feels natural and healing for you.
A Grounding Focus
The journey begins with a prompt that grounds you in the present moment, connecting you to nature and your personal history. As the weeks progress, you’ll delve deeper into themes of resilience, hope, and transformation, setting the stage for the work we’ll do in Soulful Stories.
Building Your Creative Foundation
By the end of the 8 weeks, you’ll have:
A collection of personal stories and reflections to draw upon.
A palette of textures, colours, and materials that resonate with your journey.
A sense of inspiration and confidence to dive deeper into your creative practice.
Week 1: A Memory in Nature — Soul Foraging Begins
There’s something magical about stepping into nature. The air seems lighter, the colours richer, and time feels like it slows down just enough to let us breathe. That’s why it feels right to start our Soul Foraging journey here—in a place where memories and moments can surface as effortlessly as leaves falling from a tree.
This week, we’re exploring A Memory in Nature, an invitation to ground ourselves in the present while reaching gently into the past. It’s a way to reflect on the stories that connect us to the earth, to ourselves, and to each other.
The Prompt: A Memory in Nature
Find a natural spot that feels calming or meaningful to you. It could be a favourite trail, your backyard, garden, or even a cozy window view of a nearby tree.
Here’s what to do:
Pause and Reflect: Close your eyes and think of a memory tied to nature. Maybe it’s a childhood trip to the beach, the first time you climbed a tree, or a quiet moment under a starry sky. What stands out? The smells? The textures? The emotions?
Observe and Collect: While you're in your chosen spot, notice the details around you. Are the leaves turning golden? Is there a crispness to the air? Collect small items like a pebble, a leaf, or even just the colours and textures you see.
Create from the Heart: Back in your creative space, let your memory and your observations guide your hands. Use collage, drawing, or any medium that feels right to recreate the essence of your memory. It doesn’t have to look like the memory—it just needs to feel like it.
Healing Through Nature
Why start with nature? Because it’s one of the most accessible ways to reconnect with ourselves. Nature offers quiet support, reminding us that even in chaos, there’s always a way to find balance.
When we reflect on a memory in nature, we’re grounding ourselves not just in the beauty of that moment, but also in the resilience it represents. That moment might have passed, but its impact remains, just like the roots of a tree you can no longer see but know are still there.
This Week’s Reflection: A Mosaic of Memory
I visited a trail near my home, where the leaves have fallen and left the ground a mosaic of autumn. Each step crunched beneath my feet.
As I walked, a childhood memory surfaced— at a pebble beach with my dad. We spent hours collecting flat, smooth stones, testing each one for its skipping potential. We collected up our favourites to take home and turn into pet rocks!
I ended up making some 3D art by stacking some of the special stones I’ve collected over the years.
As I carefully balanced each stone, I felt a quiet comfort, letting the act of making become a space where grief and love can coexist.
This became my temporary tribute to my father, who I lost last November.
Share Your Journey
Once you go through this week’s prompt, I’d love to see what it inspires in you! Whether it’s a colourful painting, a collection of found objects, or maybe a journal entry, it is worth celebrating.
I would love ❤️ for you to share your creation— in the Creative Delight Studio group, tag me Instagram or send me a message—maybe I can feature some of your work in next week’s blog.
Laying the Groundwork for the Soulful Stories Workshop
These eight weeks of Soul Foraging are not just a standalone exploration—they are the foundation for something truly transformative. In January, we’ll be going deep into creativity and storytelling with the Soulful Stories workshop, a journey designed to bring your personal stories to life through art.
During the next eight weeks, you will unearth some of your stories, discovered the textures and colours that resonate with your inner world, and find grounding and inspiration in nature. Together, we’re setting the stage for an epic creative experience where we will weave all of these elements into meaningful, layered artwork.
But there’s even more waiting for you! By joining the waitlist, you will receive exclusive early and extended access to the Soulful Stories Starter Course, a free event designed for you to sample the actual content of the Soulful Stories workshop.
This includes:
Complete access to the first module of the workshop, so you can dive into the process early and get a feel for the transformative journey ahead.
With access to the Soulful Stories course hub, you can also explore creative wellness activities to add to your own ‘toolbox’.
And as a special bonus, waitlist members will also receive a 15-minute one-on-one zoom session with me during the workshop. This is your chance to get personal feedback on your art, ask questions, and deepen your creative practice with guidance tailored just for you.
If you’re interested in taking this journey, I encourage you to join the waitlist here. Spots are limited, and this is your chance to secure your place on what promises to be a truly magical experience.
JOIN THE SOULFUL STORIES WAITLIST
Next Week: The Root of Your Story
Stay tuned for Week 2 of the Soul Foraging journey, where we’ll explore the roots that anchor us to our past and our sense of self. Until then, happy foraging!
Don’t Forget to Share Your Journey
Let’s celebrate the ways creativity and nature can help us heal and grow. I’m here cheering you on as you take this small but meaningful step toward self-discovery.
Sending light and love your way,
P.S. The photos I am sharing in my blog posts are from my own soul foraging and creative exploration!
3 comments
Love this
I absolutely love this....thank you for sharing.
I am so glad Debra! And you are very welcome. I am currently working on Week 2 and will be sharing it on Friday...
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