Why I Need Wild- Reflections

“Reconnect with nature” is something people my age say all the time, usually after a chaotic week or when everything feels overwhelming. I’ve said it too, casually, as just another way to say “I need a break.” But after this class, I actually understand what that means on a deeper level.

For me, needing “wild” isn’t about escaping to some remote, untouched place far away from everything. It’s about those small but powerful moments when I’m overwhelmed, and I pause, go outside, soak in my surroundings, and feel grounded again. I’ve realized that nature isn’t something distant, but it’s something that exists all around me, even in places I used to ignore. This class taught me that you can find “wild” where you least expect it, whether that’s a quiet trail, a patch of trees, or even just noticing the wind, light, and stillness around you.

Going to the nature center and volunteering made that idea feel real. Clearing invasive plants and working in that environment made me feel like I was participating in something meaningful, not just observing it. It slowed me down in a way that felt natural, not forced, and helped me feel more connected to the space around me.

One of the biggest things I discovered was that water, specifically, has an effect on me. Whether it is a pond, a river, or the ocean, I am immediately calmed. Being near the ocean makes me feel small in the middle of such a huge world, but in a comforting way. Instead of feeling insignificant, it reminds me that there is something much bigger than the stress and worries in my own life. I need this reminder to keep myself sane. It gives me perspective and makes everything else disappear for a moment.

Reading Desert Solitaire and other works by Edward Abbey also shaped how I see “wild.” His writing emphasizes both the beauty and the harshness of nature, showing that it isn’t just peaceful, it’s powerful, real, and persistent. Because of this class, I now see that I need wild not just to relax, but to feel present, grounded, and aware of something bigger than myself.