🌳💛 February 2025 - Forestheart Newsletter
“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”
George Santayana
February Newsletter
Dear friend,
This month’s newsletter touches on the quiet stirrings of February and the hidden energy beneath the surface. I’ll be sharing reflections on nature’s resilience, some updates on my writing journey, and an exciting new resource.
I'm also giving you insight into my Coaching Calls and how they have helped my client, Ben, navigate his way out of the emotional turmoil he found himself stuck in.
I invite you to listen to a replay of my interview on the Positive Future Podcast, where I share insights on wellbeing and nature connection.
🌿 Inspirational Story
February can be a challenging time.
Here in the East Midlands, the sky has been a constant, unyielding grey for two and a half weeks. I’ve spent my days writing and watching robins, blue tits, and squirrels delighting at the bird feeder outside the window of the house Jessie and I are currently looking after.
The landscape around the house is mostly vast fields of brown, lifeless ploughed soil, with pockets of dark, monotonous pine plantations in the distance. As an artist, this moment in time and space can feel uninspiringly dull.
Yet, even in this hyper-managed expanse, the occasional fox or rabbit reminds me of nature’s tenacity. I smile at the stoat weaselling past my window, recalling the most unlikely picture Martin Le-May took of a weasel hitching a ride on the back of a woodpecker.
Hurray to the joys of the internet!
Luckily, the Sherwood Forest is not too far away, where I can roam through ancient oak woods, wondering what Robin Hood would do if he were alive today. How would he find his way through this modern world as a guardian of the land and protector of the people?
On a lazy afternoon walk to an old oak, my mood mirrored the blunt sameness around me. Then, suddenly, I felt an enormous force beneath my feet, a surge of regenerative power that seemed to fast-forward time: 10, 100, even 1,000 years in a blink. I realised that this barren emptiness is but a fleeting moment in nature’s unstoppable regenerative strength.
Every moment of every day, seeds germinate and new adaptations emerge. The message was clear: Life always finds a way.
In February, the landscape begins to pulse with renewal, as if switching from black-and-white to vibrant colour. At this time of year, the trees slowly wake up from their winter hibernation. Their trunks no longer feel silent; their energy shifts from inward and downwards to upward and outwards. It is as if we can catch their first morning stretch towards the light of a new year.
In these quieter times, I’ve turned inward, painting pictures through words rather than visual art.
For years, I’ve been gathering the fragments of a book I’ve long wanted to write. It’s called Ancestral Oak, and it is a richly woven tapestry of ancestral remembrance, history and tales of our co-evolution with this remarkable tree. In 17 chapters, the book takes the reader on a journey from hunter-gatherer tribes to Ancient Greece, the Vikings, medieval Europe, the Industrial Age, and up to our day and age.
I’m also delighted to share that I have asked my friend Eric Maddern to write the foreword for Ancestral Oak.
This is particularly significant, as Jessie and I will be moving to his retreat centre, Cae Mabon, in Wales from May onwards, to work the land and immerse ourselves in community life for the summer.
🌿 Creations & Offerings
Coaching Calls for Personal Guidance
I don’t often share this side of my work, but I’d like to bring my coaching calls a bit more into the foreground today.
A few years ago, people who met me started requesting coaching sessions, inspired by the way I approached life, creativity, spirituality and personal growth. When my first client asked if I could offer them a 1-on-1 session, I knew I wanted to create a space where people could feel truly seen and heard.
Rather than giving answers, I focus on helping clients explore their own inner world through reflection, introspection, and sometimes practical exercises. Rather than offering quick fixes, I help them dive deep into their life patterns through active listening and thoughtful questions.
My approach is all about empowering individuals to find the answers within themselves. Whether someone is navigating a transition, healing from a difficult experience, or simply looking to reignite their spiritual path, I tailor each session to meet them where they are.
Here’s what Ben had to say about his experience with me:
“From the very first session, Yannick created a space where I felt completely seen and heard. His approach was compassionate and insightful, and he helped me untangle complex emotions and patterns. I felt safe and supported throughout the process.
The impact of our sessions has been profound, giving me clarity, a renewed sense of self, and tools that I can carry forward. If you’re considering coaching with Yannick, I couldn’t recommend him more highly. It’s been truly transformative for me.”
I’m also excited to share that I’ve adjusted my pricing to offer a sliding scale between £33 and £55 per hour, making it more accessible for those who are interested in exploring these sessions.
If you're curious and want to see if we’re a good fit, I’m offering a free 30-minute discovery call. Just reply to this email, and we can set up a time to connect!
Natural Rhythms for Wellbeing - Interview Replay
For those of you who missed my interview on the Positive Future Podcast with Althea Finch about Natural Rhythms for Wellbeing, I’m excited to share the replay with you in this newsletter.
It was an inspiring conversation, in which I shared about my personal healing journey and recovery from Lyme disease. Althea and I explored the ways in which aligning ourselves with the natural rhythms of the earth can support our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
🌿 Resources
Do you remember the newsletter about the Ancestors of Tradition and the development of camera lenses? This month's resource is another great example of how mind-expanding these new technologies can be.
David Attenborough has created a stunning five-episode series called Wild Isles, where he takes us on a journey through the UK's woodlands, grasslands, freshwater streams, coasts, and oceans.
It's truly remarkable to witness the effort that goes into capturing moments like an eagle's first flight or a salmon leaping up a Scottish mountain stream. The dedication to bringing these stories to life is awe-inspiring, and I highly recommend it!
I know some of you prefer not to use Amazon Prime, and I completely understand. Unfortunately, this is the only platform where the series is currently available, so I hope you'll forgive my slight complacency in recommending it. In my eyes, it’s totally worth it!
