Sitting With Mother Tree
When we were going through my most difficult alter integration as a DID system, we would go and sit under this tree in our local park in order to ground. She became our tree. Our "Mother Tree". She held us through the hardest part of our healing journey. When our body was trembling and we were uncertain if we would ever settle from the very visceral integration.
We made it through, but afterward, there was a collapse of exhaustion. We stopped leaving the house. Going out was marked by anxiety and the uncomfortable feeling of having to face the world without our shield. Then it got cold, and there hasn't been a chance to get back to our spot.
Yesterday, we made it back for the first time, in much need of grounding. With our feet in the soil and our bare hands touching her for the first time in many months, we melted into tears. It was like she was saying, " Welcome back. I've been waiting for you." We poured some water on her roots as an offering of gratitude for her energy. Her loving embrace is still there for us, even if we aren't the same person who once sought her presence.
There were also two geese. We were alone, and it was quiet. They simply strode around us, looking for worms in the ground. It was a big step for us to go back. To get out of the house for a reason that was our choice and not an obligation. And even though we were out in the open and exposed, Mother Tree helped us feel safe.
I encourage you to do one small thing that you feel might make you feel uncomfortable this coming week. You may surprise yourself and find peace instead of fear, just like we did.
#healingthroughnature #healing #mentalhealthawareness #did #nature
Spending time with the Mother Tree has been an unexpected yet profoundly powerful source of healing for me. After going through intense alter integration as part of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), I found myself overwhelmed by exhaustion and isolation, reluctant to leave the safety of my home. Returning to my chosen grounding spot was difficult; it represented more than just stepping outside—it was reclaiming a piece of myself that had felt lost. When I sat beneath the Mother Tree again, feeling the soil beneath my feet and the rough bark under my hands, I connected with a deeper sense of safety and presence. This act of physically connecting with nature’s energy brought a release of emotions I hadn’t anticipated—tears that signaled both vulnerability and healing. Pouring water at the tree’s roots was my way of giving back, expressing gratitude for the silent support she provided during my darkest days. This experience reminded me that healing isn’t always linear or predictable. It takes courage to face moments of discomfort, especially when anxiety or fear might insist otherwise. But sometimes, small steps—like spending quiet time in nature, observing simple moments such as geese foraging nearby—can offer astonishing peace. It’s about choosing to be present, even if briefly, and allowing yourself to feel grounded in the here and now. For anyone navigating complex mental health challenges or just seeking calm, I encourage you to find your own 'Mother Tree' or peaceful spot. Embrace the discomfort of new experiences one small step at a time. You might be surprised to discover a well of strength and calmness that helps you feel whole again, just as I did. Nature can be a gentle, consistent companion in the journey toward healing and self-acceptance.
