On Regret, Risk, and the Life Still to Come
Regret. It’s such a heavy word. But also a very human one. A later-life reflection on making peace with the past, and choosing what comes next. As we get older, especially in our sixties and beyond, regret can surface in surprising ways. Not always as dramatic turning points, but as quiet moments of reflection. We […]
Finding Balance: A Woodland Reflection on Work, Life and What Matters Now
This is not a transcript but a companion to my video. To hear the full reflection in my own voice and setting, you can watch it here: I’ve been thinking lately about balance, and how differently it looks for each of us, especially in the later stages of life. This came to me again as […]
The Quiet Power of Morning Practices – Starting the Day Well
How we begin our morning can quietly shape everything that follows. Whether you’re managing a busy work schedule, navigating change, or simply seeking a calmer start, morning practices can offer a moment of presence before the day unfolds. It’s not about getting more done, it’s about starting with intention. What are morning practices? Morning practices […]
Paddling Underneath: Sitting with Uncertainty and Being Kind to Ourselves
I’m feeling a bit anxious at the moment; some of it’s about my new book, which is always a vulnerable thing to put out into the world and a significant task to write. But more immediately, it’s about an upcoming trip to the Wilderness Guides Council. I’m heading into something quite unknown; sharing a […]
Time for a day of rest
Hi, it’s Dr Denise. I’ve spent most of the weekend at the wood and that was because there’s woodland management tasks that needs doing. I’ve got the chainsaw helmet because we’ve been busy sawing and I need to be safe. But also, because I’ve decided I need to spend much less time on my computer. […]
Dealing with regrets
In my forthcoming book, and with clients, I ask the reader to imagine life aged 90, or 25 years into the future and to consider any regrets as they look back over their life. I’ve been reviewing what people have said and I thought now would be a good time to share. I didn’t include […]
The vision quest – being a guide
I’m co-leading a Vision Quest, but this is nothing like a typical training course. I’m a Vision Quest Guide, supporting those who have been called to undertake a vision quest, sometimes known as a wilderness fast. This is not an easy option for people. It takes strength and courage. They have fears. And they have […]
The Importance of Optimism
Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor here for another one of my Tales from the Wood. Today I want to talk about why you need to be optimistic. And if you’re not now, maybe today you need to start. From the research I’ve been reading about, it can make so much difference. People who have negative […]
Should we enjoy our work?
The key message from this video: And so rather than struggling at work being bored. Feeling that we hate the work. Maybe it’s looking for a colleague, maybe if you’re a bit older, thinking about a younger member of staff, they would like nothing better to do some of the things so that you could […]
