With a water sign as a Cancerian and a lifetime on the land, I am comfortable both at sea, in the bush and on a mountain. So when the Christmas break came about, I was yearning to reground myself… this time on land.

A friend of mine had been doing up a one-room bush cabin near the Pureora Forest. I was given the green light to use it, so off I went!

As I drove further away from town life, the air became clearer, nature more vocal and the surrounding silence soothing.

After a couple of hours I was bumping my way over rough forest tracks (thank goodness for a 4-wheel drive!), and into a clearing. Surrounded by native bush sat a hut that reminded me of something from a Western movie. This was to be my home for the next few days.

I turned my phone off (there was no cellphone coverage anyway), set up my mattress on the floor as a bed, and lit the gas ring to boil some water for a drink.

My first night’s sleep was a little disjointed, as my mind began to settle and the sounds of the bush once again became familiar.

My days were spent resting, reading, exploring the bush, writing and just being still.

I worked with the rhythm of my surroundings. Sleeping when the sun went down, resting or a walk under the cover of the bush when it was too hot. The tui’s song would wake me at daylight, followed by a chorus of excited chirping from other birdlife. It was bliss!

When it was time to leave, I felt reluctant. I wanted to stay there forever. Living simply, feeling grounded and connected to my inner self.

Coming back into civilization felt like a sensory affront — phone, people, cars, noise, rushing, pressure, responsibilities. As I reintegrated, this lessened.

My time in the bush may’ve been relatively short, but it was oh-so-sweet.

It has been a beautiful reminder that getting off-grid is good for my soul. It is not that hard for me to do, and it will help sustain me through the year.

What have you done to reground yourself? What works for you?