Bringing her heart out into the open: Rebecca Jobson’s Hour in Nature
Rebecca Jobson is the founder of Mini Marley, which makes simple, timeless clothing for babies and children. She lives on the lands of the Wadandi people of the Noongar nation in Western Australia (the Margaret River region) with her husband, former pro surfer Taj Burrow, and their two little daughters.
What’s your favourite thing to do in nature?
I think it is so easy to get caught up in day-to-day life in the hustle and bustle and forget how simply magic nature is. My favourite thing to do is feel the sun on my skin, and to listen to the buzzing of bees and the sound of the waves kissing the sand. I love the way that the sun’s reflection on the ocean makes it look like the water is creating sparks. The feeling of the earth on the soles of my feet makes me feel grounded and calm. The effect of nature, not only on my mood, but also on the entire mood of my family, is astounding. I can tell when our hearts require more time out in the open; I can see our souls getting agitated and itchy. It does not take much: even just a quick five minutes grounding your feet on the earth, or taking some big deep breaths of fresh air can change your entire day.
Describe your connection to nature: what positives does it bring to your life?
Without nature we are nothing. I think it is a constant reminder that we need less, and we simply need to appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds us, free of charge and without conditions. This brings a sense of purpose to my day: a gentle reminder that if we don't look after nature then we will be left with nothing.
What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?
They revolve around the ocean. I am so incredibly lucky to have spent all of my days living with access to the ocean. We would spend all of our time during school holidays at the beach, having hot chips and picnics, swimming and laying on the sand. Now that I have kids of my own I think that their fondest memories will be around the ocean too, it is so beautiful to be able to create memories that are just like the ones that you treasure most.
Many of us are time-poor and might not get out into nature as much as we’d like. Any suggestions for a quick nature-based pick-me up? Something sensory, experiential…?
Taking your shoes off and feeling the soles of your feet on the ground. It is such a simple exercise but it is so important. We are so constantly bound by our shoes and forget how freeing it can feel to take them off, and ground ourselves to the earth. Additionally, on long days in the office, I like to put nature sounds on because I find them so calming.
