What Does it Mean to be "Naturally Connected"

It's more than just a feeling, it's a way to think about how to live your life

The phrase “Naturally Connected” has been on my mind for a while. To me, it represents a way of thinking about how we live our lives—not in some lofty, preachy way, but as a mindset we can apply when deciding how we interact with each other and the natural world. It’s about understanding where our food comes from, being mindful of the impact our everyday actions have on the environment, and ensuring that access to the outdoors is something everyone can enjoy.

Sustainability: More Than a Buzzword

There’s no shortage of buzzwords when it comes to the environment—“sustainability” being one of the biggest. It’s a term we hear constantly, as we grow more aware of how our actions affect natural resources and how we can preserve them for future generations. But have you ever heard a definition of sustainability that actually feels useful in your day-to-day life?

I’ve found one that helps me focus on what really matters when I’m trying to come up with solutions to environmental issues. Sustainability, when broken down, often centers on three key pillars: environmental, social, and economic.

Environmental Sustainability: Protecting What Matters

Environmental sustainability is all about managing our natural resources in a way that ensures they’ll be there for generations to come. It involves protecting land for biodiversity and focusing on ecological restoration to balance and restore landscapes, helping nature do its job of keeping everything in harmony.

When it comes to incorporating environmental sustainability into our daily lives, it can feel overwhelming. But it’s easier when we think about it on a smaller scale. Every decision you make has an impact. Whether it’s choosing to walk or ride your bike instead of driving, or picking up fresh, ethically raised meat from a farmer’s market rather than grabbing the BOGO deal at your local grocery store—it all matters.

It’s about recognizing how your choices ripple out and affect the world around you. And once you start seeing those connections, it’s like you can feel yourself becoming more… connected—not just to the environment, but to the bigger picture of how everything works together.

Social Sustainability: Supporting Each Other

Social sustainability is about making sure we’re doing everything we can to help each other thrive. Just like when we manage the natural world, we don’t want our wildlife and plants to just survive—we want them to thrive, to reach their full potential. The same should apply to us as humans in our own society.

Unfortunately, our society has created a competitive environment where everyone feels like they’re constantly battling, no matter their background. Whether you’re from a poor family trying to make it, or you’re stuck comparing yourself to others, we’ve somehow turned life into a game of "you versus them." But this kind of competition doesn’t foster a thriving, healthy environment for anyone.

What we need is equitable access to resources that allow people from all walks of life to experience the beauty of the outdoors and everything it has to offer. This could mean sharing your love of nature with people from different backgrounds, or even something as simple as giving away fresh, farm-grown produce to those who might be struggling. Everyone has a part to play in building a more socially sustainable world—and the little things we do can make a big impact.

Economic Sustainability: Making Better Choices

Economic sustainability is all about how we use our financial resources to create real opportunities for growth—both for the environment and for society. This is probably the most practical aspect we can bring into our daily lives, and it has the potential for the greatest impact.

As a consumer, we make dozens of choices every day about what products to buy—and those choices often come with environmental consequences. We know that products that are better for the planet and for us tend to cost more, but it's also on us to make sure that extra cost is actually worth it.

I hope that "Naturally Connected" can be a resource for you, helping guide those decisions as you navigate how to live more sustainably.

The Intersection of Sustainability: Seeing the Bigger Picture

The magic happens at the intersection of the three pillars—environmental, social, and economic—where we start to see our everyday actions as part of a bigger system. Every decision we make affects not just our local community, but also our ecological systems, and even people around the world who help provide the products we use regularly.

When thinking about a "natural connection," it’s often more efficient—and ethical—to buy from within our own communities. When we know the people behind the products, we’re less likely to exploit them. But sometimes that’s not possible, and in those cases, it’s crucial to know how your purchases or services align with sustainability.

Do you know if the products you're buying are benefiting the environment? Or if the people making them are being treated fairly? These are questions worth asking because they help us live in a way that supports the world we want to create.

Learning from Native American Practices

In many of my writings, I often look to the ways Native Americans lived as a reminder that it wasn’t just possible, but common, to live fully in tune with the environment. There’s so much we can learn from the philosophies that guided their way of life, and the deep connection they had to the world around them.

That respect for nature is something I believe we could achieve if we, as a society, started seeing ourselves as part of the natural world rather than being above it or controlling it. From how they interacted with the land and wildlife, to the care they showed one another, there are countless lessons we can take from their way of life.

I also want to extend an invitation to people from Native American communities to share their insights and experiences. Your voices are essential, and I encourage you to comment on my work and offer suggestions for how we can create a more inclusive space where your stories of environmental stewardship can be heard and honored.

Join the “Naturally Connected” Movement

This space is for anyone who wants to live more intentionally and be a better steward of the world around us. Every day, I’m working to find ways to feel more connected to my environment, and I’m inviting you to join me in that. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about learning, growing, and taking real steps toward making a positive impact.

I want to build a community where people from all walks of life, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds, can come together and feel empowered to live in a way that’s more connected to the world around them. Your perspective matters, and by sharing this journey, we can all help shape a more thoughtful, sustainable future.