Globally Grounded: Episode 23
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In this episode, Kyra reflects on a recent trip to Big Sur, CA and what it revealed about the uneasy balance between disconnection and peace. From unreliable service to the relief of being off the grid, she explores why stepping away from constant news, work, and family communication can feel so restorative and so unsettling at the same time. She also looks at how nature helps us reset, why re-entry is often the hardest part, and what other cultures can teach us about building a healthier relationship with rest and the outdoors.
Episode Takeaways
Disconnecting is harder than it should be. Even when we need a break, being offline can trigger anxiety because we are so used to being reachable, accountable, and informed at all times.
Nature helps reset the nervous system. Time outside, especially in places like Big Sur, CA (!), can lower stress, quiet the mind, and create a deeper sense of calm than screen-based rest usually does.
Not knowing can feel unsettling. When big things are happening in the world, being disconnected can feel uncomfortable because it means temporarily letting go of control and certainty.
Re-entry matters as much as the getaway. Coming back too fast can erase the benefits of rest, so it helps to build in a buffer and ease back into normal life.
Other cultures offer useful models. Ideas like Japan’s shinrin-yoku and the Nordic idea of friluftsliv show that being outside can be a regular part of a healthy life, not just a luxury or rare escape.
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