The other day when I was told a very sad story, unexpectedly the person started to cry. While this seemed like a very normal response, the individual felt awkward and I certainly could empathize.

The previous night I had struggled over dinner to ‘keep it together’ while saying goodbye to some dear friends as we were about to geographically scatter for an unknown period of time.

Saying goodbye is a form of grieving, it is a natural reaction to loss. It is both a universal and a personal experience. My friend was sad because of a significant change in family life, and I was sad at not knowing if I would ever see my friends again. We both coped in similar and in slightly different ways.

Crying in public is often an ‘uncomfortable’ situation, especially if you have been caught off guard dealing with raw emotions. My friend did end up having a good cry for many hours and reported feeling much better. Personal expression is a private matter and seems to be easier when we feel safe and supported.

And being in nature, for me constitutes feeling safe. So when I need to, I try to get outside, and on a trail or a quiet spot, wail away to Mother Nature. I tell the whole messy story to a stream or a tree or to the stars above … getting it out of me always makes me feel better and sometimes, if I listen carefully, I even hear answers to the situation.

The feeling of having been witnessed naturally validates any emotional turmoil. My friend appreciated having one person hear their story. For me, the process of grieving in nature, crying outside, keeps things in perspective when set against the backdrop of the cycle of birth–life–death–rebirth.

Saying goodbye is never easy and this reminds us, that in life, the only thing constant is change. Perhaps our emotions are mere extensions of the natural cycle of life and for me dealing with them outside in nature is a natural thing to do.