An Hour in Nature with Barbora Samieian, co-founder of Sundays and Hetta.
With four small children and a start-up. Barbora Samieian says that stretch of life left no room for much else, and exercise was the first thing to go. What she kept was one walk: two hours, every weekend, no exceptions. She calls it her weekly reset, and years later she still won't give it up. From family walks in Vancouver's forests to childhood adventures across Scotland and a cottage in Slovakia, nature has shaped the way she approaches both work and home. Read more in our latest Hour in Nature.
What’s your favorite thing to do in nature?
Walking. We are lucky to live in Vancouver, BC with so many beautiful walks. I love to walk the Pacific Spirit Park trails with our family with its tall trees, it’s breathtaking when you look up!
I love the changing of seasons and love that we get all four seasons in BC. I also absolutely love the peaceful look of a landscape after snow has fallen – to me it’s one of the most stunning natural beauties. A crisp cold walk in the snow is one of my love languages.
How does spending time in nature influence your mental health? Can you think of a specific experience where this effect was particularly strong?
I would say it’s absolutely essential to my mental health. A few years back when our kids were little (we had a four, two year old and newborn twins born in the winter) and we had a start up – life felt quite overwhelming and it felt impossible to try and fit in ‘exercise’ in rainy Vancouver. The one commitment we made, was to go for a ‘long’ 2 hour walk every weekend with my husband and the twins (who would usually peacefully sleep) while the toddlers stayed with my parents. It was our weekly reset. Once things settled a bit and the kids were older, I started a daily solo walk which has had the most positive mental health effect and something I protect and treasure.
I love big cities, but have really been craving more and more time in the countryside, in nature, we have made an effort to spend more of our travels this way when possible with the kids. It is teaching me to slow down and has been a true nervous system reset.
What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?
Growing up, my sisters and I would spend summers with my cousins in the UK. My aunt and uncle took us to explore the Lake District, Wales and Scotland. We would spend a few days camping and doing a daily hike (not always without complaint as little kids!) – I remember how vast and beautiful it was on these hikes. So grateful my aunt and uncle had the grit and patience to explore in this way with us.
How do you bring nature into your home?
We live around the corner from the flower shop and it’s my weekly ritual, to pick up whatever is in season. In the summer, it’s been a different colour of dahlias, then the kids help me arrange it in a vase, it’s one of my favorite ways to take a moment and spark joy.
What is your favourite natural scent, and why?
I love the scent of lemon! In the home, in cooking, it’s fresh, a clean slate. Obsessed with your Lemon Myrtle dish soap.
Is there a sound in nature that you believe everyone should hear at least once in their lifetime?
We have a cottage in the Slovak mountains and at night it is pitch dark and quiet, except for a gentle stream behind our cottage – it’s the most soothing sound to fall asleep to.
