How Foraging Keeps Me Grounded

Finding Calm in the Chaos – How Foraging Keeps Me Grounded

Life has a way of getting loud. Some days, it’s not just the noise around you — it’s the constant pull on your attention, the endless list of things that need doing, and the weight of trying to keep everything together.

I had one of those days recently. I’d planned to go foraging with the kids. Nothing fancy, just a slow, gentle afternoon where we’d take our time, look for what’s in season, and enjoy being outside. But as often happens, the pace started shifting. Impatience crept in, and I could feel my calm being pushed aside.

By the time we actually set out, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go anymore. But I went. And I’m glad I did.

Because once I started scanning the hedgerows, looking for plants and fruits to collect for drying, the rest of the noise faded. Taylor and I ended up searching for damsons and plums, and she filled a bucket to save for making jam — her idea, and a brilliant one. Now, the next time she says she’s bored, we’ve got a project ready and waiting.

Foraging isn’t just about topping up the forage stock for Guinea Gourmet Treats. It’s about moments like this — where nature pulls you back into the present. Where the sound of leaves under your feet and the sight of berries ripening remind you there’s still beauty and peace to be found, even on the hardest days.

It’s why so many of my blends are seasonal. They hold a story. A memory. A moment of calm. Whether it’s hawthorn berries drying in the attic, linden pods in abundance, or damson leaves curling as they dry — they’re not just ingredients. They’re reminders that the simple things matter most.

And sometimes, they’re the reason you keep going.