Step
One

Choose
love.

Why are we so disconnected from Nature, and by extension, Earth? It’s not like we have any other options for survival.

Modern culture is a big part of the reason. Unlike indigenous cultures that radiate love, belonging, and appreciation for Earth, ours doesn’t. There’s not a tradition of celebrating kinship with our planet.

In this culture, we need to be proactive to connect, and it starts by deciding to love Earth. This step leads you through a gallery where you’ll learn the reasons behind this, why it’s hard, and how to get on board.

Is it necessary?

Yes, choosing to love the planet helps build a strong psychological foundation for connection. Without it, we’re vulnerable to mainstream society pressuring us to disengage from Mother Earth.

It amounts to a culture of separation that sends us messages through language, norms, and media downplaying Earth’s importance to our lives and what we value. We subconsciously tune in, and are influenced to see our planet in a certain way without even realizing it. This perception of Earth we absorb through culture is the biggest obstacle to connection.

Are you aware of the messages you’re absorbing?

Tell me more

How To
Do It

Visit the
gallery.

Browse the gallery below to learn about our complicated relationship with the planet. In it, you’ll find designs that relate to four themes: Earth’s beauty, its central importance, cultural influences, and your options.

To get the most from your visit, examine each design and read about it on the next slide. Your mission is to leave the gallery choosing to love Earth and understanding barriers that get in the way.

The path forward

If you doubt this step is worthwhile, you won’t learn about societal cues that are constantly shaping your relationship with Earth and views on Nature. Nor will you be able to protect against the many ways they distract, discourage, and disempower you from completing the path ahead.

If you proceed, you’ll be inspired to believe you can and should love this planet. Having this conviction will motivate you to continue and make the rest of the steps much easier.

Are you up to the challenge?

Find
Help

Gear up for
this step.

Celebrate completing Step One with a custom keepsake. Think of it as targeted marketing to yourself to choose love each day. In this culture of separation, it’s the most effective way to stay committed.

Directions

First, get in the mindset of a marketer. Then, click on “Select A Design” below to choose one that motivates you. The purpose is to symbolize your choice to love Earth. For added benefit, pick one that also challenges you.

Next, decide on an item you want printed with the design. It should be something you like and will see, use, or wear a lot. Submit your order and we’ll get your product made and sent to you.

Take It
Outside

Use what
you learn.

Reaffirm your choice to love Earth each time you use your item. And now that you’re aware of society’s discouraging influences, think of its design and message as symbolic protection against them.

As you practice doing these things, you’ll be laying your psychological foundation for the path ahead. Deeply embedding these new ideas into your conscious and subconscious will make the rest of the steps easier.

Make Progress

Watch and listen for societal cues about Earth, Nature, and “the environment”. How are they portrayed? How much attention do they get? Is it the right amount and tone, given that Earth makes our lives possible?

Recall lessons from the gallery to tune into the scope and scale of our disconnect. Because the cues won’t stop, continue this habit while you take on the next steps.

Step two

Photo Art on this website includes adaptations from “A Long Dead Star” from ESA, Hubble, and NASA, by Y Chu; “The Blue Marble from NASA; “Twin Blue Marbles” from NASA; and Earth photo by Reid Wiseman from the International Space Station, Expedition 40.