Jane, Chong

ANFT Nature & Forest Therapy Guide
Certified (provisional) 2023 | ANFT Cohort #104

What Makes Us Happy?

I have been an educator for over 38 years. I was blessed to be able to devote some time to self-care and finding happiness when I was in Japan and Hong Kong for my professional development leave in 2023. It was a sensory experience in Miyajima and Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and I was totally immersed and connected to the forests. There was a sense of joy and calm. I felt safe and was able to maintain some solitude as I let go of control and desire. There was no objective than to Simply Be.

As I am particularly interested in exploring the nuances of guiding walks for children and youth, I also volunteered to be a coach at the Forest School Singapore for boys and girls between 3 to 9 years old. I saw with my own eyes how giving children the time to play, problem-solve and learn in green space is a critical part of development. I have started designing walks suitable for teens and have the privilege of bringing a family with 2 teen daughters for an experience in Botanic Gardens. Exploring nature with a child’s lens encourages me to do things that I have forgotten the joy in - threading leaves with branches as satay, climbing mango trees, balancing on rocky terrain in search of coloured rocks, sand and water play. My love for nature also helped me to build a deep relationship with the more-than-human-world, including the creepy crawlies.

Contact with nature is the basic requirement for a healthy life, emotionally and physically; It makes us happy!

Instagram | @forestinvites
Email | janechonglp@gmail.com