Iceland: One With Nature

I feel very fortunate to have grown up in Iceland. It is a country full of extraordinary beauty. Carved mountains, black sand beaches, deep chasms, waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers, volcanoes, and endless fjords are just a handful of examples of the fierceness of nature in Iceland. Nature is deeply entwined with the culture and history of this small island in the Atlantic Ocean. “Nature giveth and nature taketh away” is very much a lived experience.

Growing up surrounded by nature, it was naturally woven into my everyday life. I played in the lava fields behind my aunt and uncle’s house. I played in caves and behind the veil of waterfalls. I didn’t realize it then just how precious those experiences were until I didn’t have them anymore when I moved. Growing up in Iceland is learning the cycles of nature, the light and the dark, and knowing that no matter how much you plan, the weather has the ultimate say. This shapes resilience and adaptability, as well as the spirit of adventure that I think is inherent within us.

It wasn’t unusual to go to a natural hot spring, or visit a neighbor who had one, if you lived outside of the city. Even today, that is still true. However, in the past couple of decades, tourism has increased a thousandfold (or so it feels like) compared to what it was. Whatever your opinion on that may be, it has changed aspects of Iceland, for better and for worse (always leave a natural place as you found it). One positive is a place like Hvammsvík, where natural hot springs exist and have been made into something where people can go and enjoy themselves, nestled in a fjord, mountains on both sides, and the ocean at your feet. Nature bathing at its finest, with a restaurant and bar available right there as well.

I went there for the first time on my last trip home and it was a highlight. Sitting in the warm water, gazing at the mountains, walking into the ocean up to my chin, it felt invigorating. I felt a sense of renewal. I imagine if I could go there regularly, or a place similar, I would feel a deep calmness and a sense of clarity. One cannot help but feel small in the world when faced with the immense beauty and power that nature possesses. Especially with the chronic busyness of modern life, being able to connect with nature is more important than ever.

It‘s important to be able to silence the outside world so that you can reconnect with yourself. When was the last time you truly felt connected to the natural world?