From ocean-side to city-side: how Kayla Curtis-Evans maintains her connection to nature

Though this Californian-born writer and creative producer may now live in New York, she maintains the firm connection to nature made during her college years in ocean-side Santa Barbara. Lifestyle and sustainability expert, Kayla Curtis-Evans, tells us more:

For me, a beach day never gets old. I was born in California and spent my college years by the beach every single day, in Santa Barbara. It became a part of me. I now miss hearing the ocean lapping as I fall asleep and gently waking me up in the morning, so spending a nice sunny day at the beach is something that will always be nostalgic and sentimental to me. One of my favourite parts of having the beach so close to where I lived was getting to explore the tide pools. My friends and I would go out and look around at all the tiny creatures for hours and it definitely brought me closer to the wildlife around me.

Describe your connection to nature: what positives does it bring to your life?  

Being connected to nature is the closest thing I've felt to clarity. A lot of things in life are confusing; but in nature, everything follows a system. Being in tune with the natural world has made me a more sensitive person, a more loving friend, daughter, and significant other. Once we realize how small we are in the grand scheme of the world, it really makes you appreciate all of the systems that work so hard to keep us alive. 

What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?

As I mentioned, spending time in Santa Barbara is something I will always treasure: I mean, not many 20-something year olds can say they have lived ocean-side. Aside from my time in California, I will never forget taking a hike through Mons Klint in the Borre region of Denmark just a few years ago with some very dear friends. Exploring the natural landscapes in other countries is also something that really heightened my appreciation for the world around us, as I saw how vast the world is and that perspective instilled a deep responsibility within me. 

Many of us are time-poor and might not get out into nature as much as we’d like. Any suggestions for a quick nature-based pick-me up? Something sensory, experiential…?  

Living in New York City, I definitely experience this. I try to find the small patches of green scattered throughout the city, whether that be Central Park or Prospect Park. One of my favourite things to do, even in the city, is to take a walk with no headphones. The fresh air itself is such a valuable gift. For those who live in the city, like me, I also recommend taking day trips and exploring the areas around the city that you may not be as fond of. I've also gotten into gardening and hope to see my apartment get a lot greener in coming months. That way I can bring a little bit of nature inside of my space.