Nature is here to nurture
“The age of cities is over. Surely no free, intelligent person wants to spend life as a furtive, shadow rodent running around in a caverned metropolis. Every city-dweller is an embryonic, slug-like larvae waiting to metamorphize into a high flying technicolored creature. Don’t you?” Timothy Leary, June 1981
Fast food, smoking and drinking is bad for your overall health. The internet, technology and social media is bad for your mental health. And everything in general just gives cancer. So how do we as a human species survive in this world? How we, a generation seeking higher education degrees without money and houses, survive? How do we create ourselves in big, filthy and overcrowded foreign metropolises without going insane?
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Moving to another country on your own can be tough, but you should never give up on your future. Obviously, as a freshly graduated young adult leaving your friends and family behind to start your life and career in London, the start of the road might be hard. But don’t forget that life in London could be amazing as there is always something to do. It is a city of opportunities.
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However, living in a huge, international city and also feeling pressure as a young person could be really overwhelming. Sometimes you might feel lonely, even when you are surrounded by people. Millions of people. You might miss home cooked food and even the places in your hometown that you used to hate. You will miss anything that reminds you of home. You might cry, want to leave everything, and go back.
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But remember that you are not a kid anymore. You are growing, and you are not alone. Thousands of young adults from different countries feel the same. Give yourself some time and learn how to relax your mind. And remember, that home will always be a place where you can come back. It’s not going to disappear. It’s just going to be a bit different.
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And since now you are in London, make the most of it.
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For me, home is not exactly a house, or traditional dishes, or music. Home is the right mind-set, it’s a feeling. Home should make you feel safe and happy, almost comfortable. Home away from home is finding that feeling in yourself, no matter where on this planet Earth you might be.
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As a person who spent most of her life wandering through forests, dancing around bonfires and swimming in lakes and ponds, nature will always be what I call home. And that is something that I really miss when I’m in London. But if you do your research, there is hope. Since we are all super busy, I made a list of London nature getaways to drop by to calm your mind.
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Greenwich
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Start your day in London’s oldest deer park called The Wilderness. Walk around the park and go towards Royal Greenwich Observatory, which is London’s only Planetarium and the home of Greenwich Mean Time and Meridian line. From the Royal Observatory’s hill, you can see the beautiful scenery of Canary Wharf and central London. From there, you can walk down the hill, visit Greenwich Market or the famous Cutty Sark clipper ship. It’s a great nature getaway that is still really close to the city.
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Admission: free (park), other prices
Crystal Palace Park
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Crystal Palace Park is one of the most bizarre parks in London. According to Crystal Palace, “The park was created to be the magnificent setting for the relocated and enlarged Crystal Palace, which Paxton had designed for the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. The site was designed to impress, educate, entertain and inspire, eventually becoming an international attraction.” One of the largest mazes in the country, a skatepark, dinosaur statues, an urban fam, a museum— you name it, this place has it all.
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Admission: Free
The Hill Garden and Pergola + Hampstead Heath
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Hampstead Heath is one of my favourite London parks. It’s quite big and you could spend a whole day there. From the top of the hill, you can see London’s central skyline. Hampstead Heath is almost like a small forest, which also has a hidden gem; the Hill Garden and Pergola. It is a walkaway that was built around 1905 when Lord Leverhulme bought the property. According to Ben Johnson, “He wanted it to be the setting for extravagant Edwardian garden parties, while at the same time being a place where his family and friends could spend long summer evenings enjoying the spectacular gardens.” Make sure to check closing times if you want to wander inside, as in winter months Pergola closes early.
Admission: free
Richmond Park
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According to Royal Parks, “Richmond Park has protected status as an important habitat for wildlife and is a National Nature Reserve, London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation.” One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park is home to ancient trees and a variety of wildlife, including freely roaming deer herds. Originally the park was a deer-hunting place. Now it is a Nature Reserve, home to 630 deer. Richmond Park is great for running away from the sounds and smells of the city and reconnecting your inner self and nature again.
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Admission: free
London Wetland Centre
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If you are into nature photography, or just want to take a walk and see some beautiful birds and otters, visit London Wetland Centre. It is a wildlife nature and wetland reserve with small lakes and ponds. “The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a conservation charity that saves wetlands, which are essential for life itself. Wetlands are the primary source of drinking water for people and wildlife. They also connect us with nature, and with ourselves, through beautiful landscapes and inspiring encounters with wildlife.” London Wetland Centre looks even more vibrant in spring and summer, but remember that in winter there is almost no people, so you can really disconnect yourself from London.
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Admission: Adult £14.30 or £13.00, Concession (£12.15 or £11.04)
Words & Images: UgnÄ— MaladauskaitÄ— | Subbing: Claire Chung