#64 Land Beneath the Waves: Chronic Illness, Memory, and Finding Home in Nature with Nic Wilson
What if the nature on your doorstep holds more healing power than distant wilderness adventures?
In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined by Nic Wilson, a Guardian country diarist, BBC Gardeners' World magazine writer, and author of the beautiful memoir 'Land Beneath the Waves.' Nic's story reveals how nature became her sanctuary as a child dealing with her mother's chronic illness, and how, decades later, when facing her own health challenges, local wildlife and nearby landscapes offered support and belonging.
From her early memories in a Cheshire garden to becoming an insightful nature writer, Nic demonstrates how paying attention to the smallest details of our immediate environment can transform our understanding of home, memory, and resilience. Her work creating the first Peat Free Nurseries list shows how personal nature connection can evolve into meaningful environmental action.
"I think we hugely underestimate in our society the value of sitting in one place and looking at something for an extended period of time and seeing where that takes you."
In this episode:
- How nature became a refuge during childhood when traditional memories failed to form
- Why ‘nearby nature’ can be more powerful than distant wilderness for those with limited mobility
- A lifelong affinity with wildlife
- How chronic illness led to discovering a true calling as a nature writer
- Practical ways to bring nature indoors when you can't get outside
- The creation of the UK's first Peat Free Nurseries list and itsenvironmental impact
"If you're in a wild place, whether that's in the middle of a wood or whether that's sat on your front doorstep, which can still be a wild place, and you do slow down, wildlife tends to come more because you're sitting there and you're quiet and you're still."
- Nic shares practical wisdom for anyone seeking to deepen their nature connection, including:
- How drawing plants forces you to really see their intricateconstruction
- Using the Merlin app to identify birdsong from your bed when mobility is limited
- Why bringing scents like mint or lavender inside can combatsensory overwhelm
- How local wildlife groups can provide expert knowledge andcommunity connection
Connect with Nic
Please connect with Nic on social media, visit her website or sign up for her newsletter to follow her journey and find out about workshops, talks, and her book. Read her Country Diary column on the Guardian online.
"We need stories ... We need narratives about it that have hooks that people are interested in and they remember."
Also mentioned:
- Tom Cox Ring the Hill
- Michael J. Warren The Cuckoo’s Lea
- Nicola Chester Ghosts of the Farm
- Alan Garner The Weird Stone of Brisingamen
- Robert Westall The Wind Eye
- Terry Pratchett The Wee Free Man
- Trevor Dines Urban Plants
- Elizabeth Tova Bailey Wild Snail Eating
- Merlin Bird App
Podcast Chapters
03:58 The Connection Between Place and Identity
06:45 The Role of Nature in Writing and Healing
09:37 Influences from Literature and Experience
12:21 Childhood Memories and Their Impact
15:11 The Importance of Sensory Experiences
17:51 Breaking Down Boundaries
20:53 Journalling and Self-Discovery
23:30 Reflections on Nature and Society
26:29 The Future of Nature and Wildlife Awareness
35:47 Creative Journalling and Personal Expression
40:33 Teaching and Sharing Knowledge in Nature Writing
43:34 Bringing Nature into Daily Life for Those with ChronicIllness
48:39 The Importance of Observation and Connection
58:07 Peat-Free Practices
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