Beyond Extraction: A Regenerative Approach to Success
The way we treat the Earth mirrors how we treat our own bodies as women.
This parallel isn't just poetic - it's a crucial insight that can transform how we approach our work, our lives, and our impact on the world.
~ In this article ~
The Problem: The Culture of Extraction
The Solution: Honouring the Earth in Our Bodies
The Power of Sustainable Success
Practical Steps: Cultivating a Non-Extractive Approach
Your Invitation to Earth-Body Wisdom
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A quick note before we dive in. If you resonate with this blog and want to go deeper. I’m hosting a live masterclass this Monday 25th Nov 7pm (UK) where we dive into all of this and more.
Book here: Reclamation Season, it’s one of my biggest passions and favourite things to teach and explore.
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The Problem: The Culture of Extraction
We live in a world that runs on extraction:
From the Earth: Unsustainable mining, deforestation, fossil fuels
From our bodies: Burnout culture, "hustle harder", ignoring our need for rest, selling our work too cheaply.
This parallel is no coincidence.
It's a symptom of a deeper issue, and it's showing up in our businesses, our bodies, and our planet.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Pushing through exhaustion to meet a deadline
Ignoring your body's signals for rest or nourishment
Feeling guilty for taking time off or "doing nothing"
If so, you might be caught in an extraction based paradigm with yourself.
The Solution: Honouring the Earth in Our Bodies
The women I work with have deep reverence for the Earth, they are socially progressive, ethically minded, conscious consumers.
And yet, most of them are stuck in patterns internally, that they would never dream of perpetuating externally, treating themselves in ways they would never treat the Earth.
So, what if we approached our bodies with the same reverence? And why not? We are, after all, part of the bigger body of the planet.
What if we saw our energy, our creativity, our capacity for contribution as precious resources to be nurtured, rather than exploited?
This shift can change everything:
Work becomes a sustainable practice, not a drain
Rest becomes as valued as productivity
Success is measured by wellbeing, not just output or achievements.
When we honour the Earth in our bodies, we create a new paradigm for success - one that's regenerative and life-giving, not extractive and depleting.
The Power of Sustainable Success
Embracing this Earth-body connection in our work leads to:
Increased creativity and innovation (because well-rested minds are more creative)
Better decision-making (because we're not operating from a place of exhaustion)
More authentic leadership (because we're modelling sustainable practices)
Greater resilience (because we're not constantly on the brink of burnout)
A positive ripple effect on our communities and the planet.
Most importantly, it allows us to do our most impactful, inspired work without sacrificing our wellbeing.
Practical Steps: Cultivating a Non-Extractive Approach to Yourself.
Ready to shift from extraction to regeneration in your work and life?
Here are some steps to begin:
Body check-ins: Regularly pause and ask your body what it needs. Honour those needs as you would honour the Earth's needs.
Redefine productivity: Include rest, play, and "being" time in your definition of a productive day.
Sustainable scheduling: Structure your work in cycles that mirror natural rhythms (e.g., seasons, moon phases, your menstrual cycle if applicable).
Earth-inspired workspace: Bring elements of nature into your work environment to remind you of this connection.
Regenerative practices: For every "extractive" action in your business, balance it with a regenerative one.
Think of your life as an eco-system, what’s out of balance? What’s thriving and what’s struggling to survive? What resources and tending are needed?
Your Invitation to Earth-Body Wisdom
As we move forward in our work and lives, I invite you to see your body as a microcosm of the Earth.
Every time you honour your need for rest, every time you choose sustainability over short-term gains, you're not just caring for yourself - you're participating in a larger shift towards a more balanced, regenerative world.
Your Assignment:
This week, identify one "extractive" habit in your work life. How can you transform it into a regenerative practice that honours both your body and the Earth?
I'd love to hear your reflections. How does the parallel between Earth extraction and bodily depletion show up in your life and work? What changes do you notice when you start honouring the Earth in your body?
Remember, true success isn't about how much we can extract - from ourselves or our planet. It's about how well we can nurture and sustain the precious resources we've been given and support them to blossom organically into their fullest expression.
How I can help you embody this approach:
"Rest and Receive" - a cozy six-week winter container for ambitious women who've worked hard all year and are longing to reconnect with what truly matters for 2025.
Through guided weekly practice and live 'wild idling' sessions, we'll create sacred space for you to exhale, process, contemplate, and access your deepest wisdom. No performance metrics, no optimization - just pure, nourishing restoration.
Experience a more relaxed festive season, and start 2025 replenished and reconnected.
Live sessions begin December 11th 2024, Tuesdays 5:30-7:00pm UK time.
All sessions: December: 11th & 18th, January: 8th, 15th & 22nd