FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is The Way Back?
The Way Back is a collection of small, thoughtfully facilitated experiences in nature, writing, reflection, and connection. Some are quiet, some are social, and some are creative — but all are designed to offer a little space away from the usual rush and a chance to reconnect with yourself, with others, or with the world around you.
Who is The Way Back for?
The Way Back is for anyone who wants a little more room in their life — to slow down, notice, create, spend time outside, connect with others, or simply hear themselves think. Maybe you already know how to make that space and want more of it. Maybe you’ve lost touch with the things that once gave it to you. Or maybe you know you need it, but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
I created The Way Back around practices and experiences that have helped me quiet the outside noise and reconnect — with the world around me, with other people, and, most importantly, with myself. Walking, writing, listening, noticing, reflecting, making things — these are some of the ways I’ve learned to create that space.
I’m not here to tell anyone the “right” way to do any of it. I simply create and facilitate opportunities to explore some of the things that have worked for me, and perhaps discover what works for you.
You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what you’re looking for. You don’t need any particular experience or background.
Curiosity is enough.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely. In fact, many people do. The experiences are designed to feel welcoming whether you arrive knowing someone or knowing no one at all. Part of the intention behind The Way Back is to create spaces where connection can happen naturally, without the pressure of a typical social event.
What’s the difference between a Forest Walk and a Sound Walk?
Both are slow, intentional walks that invite you to step out of the usual pace and pay closer attention to what’s around you — but they have a different focus.
Forest Walks are about spending unhurried time in nature. We walk, pause, notice, and let the landscape set the pace. There may be moments of quiet, reflection, conversation, or simple invitations to experience the forest in a different way.
Sound Walks are centred more specifically on listening. Instead of allowing sound to remain in the background, we slow down and notice its layers — nearby and far away, natural and human-made, obvious and easily missed.
Neither is a hike. We aren’t measuring distance, trying to maintain a particular pace, or working toward a destination. There’s no finish line — except, perhaps, being a little more present than when we started.
You don’t need any special experience for either. They’re simply two different ways of slowing down, quieting some of the outside noise, and noticing what we might otherwise pass by.
What should I expect on a walk?
Expect an unhurried pace, pauses along the way, and simple invitations to notice and experience your surroundings differently. Depending on the walk, we may spend time in quiet, listen, reflect, talk, or share what we’ve noticed with one another.
There’s no pressure to perform, keep up, or have a particular kind of experience. I’ll facilitate the walk and offer some guidance along the way, but there will also be plenty of room simply to be where you are.
What should I bring on a walk?
Comfortable shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are usually all you need. Depending on the particular walk, I may suggest bringing something additional, such as a notebook or something to sit on.
Any specific details about what to bring, where we’ll meet, and what to expect will be included on the event page when you register.
Why slow down, spend time in nature, write, and pay attention?
Because sometimes we need to quiet the outside a little in order to notice what’s happening inside — and around us.
There is also growing research behind many of the practices that inspire The Way Back. Studies of time spent in nature and practices such as forest bathing have found potential benefits for stress and wellbeing. Research into expressive writing and journaling has also found potential benefits for reflection, emotional processing, and psychological wellbeing.
None of that means there is a particular way you are supposed to feel, or that one experience will produce a particular result.
The Way Back simply creates opportunities to slow down, pay attention differently, try practices that may help create a little more space, and reconnect — with the world around you, with other people, and with yourself.
What you find in that space is yours.
Are experiences offered in person, online, or for private groups?
Yes. While the calendar lists our currently scheduled experiences, some experiences can also be arranged in other formats.
Forest Walks are offered in person in and around Cascais and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and can also be experienced remotely through a video call.
Sound Walks are in person only. Listening to and moving through the surrounding soundscape is central to the experience, so these aren’t offered online.
Writing and journaling experiences, including Journal to the Self®, can be offered both in person and online.
Private experiences can also be arranged for individuals, friends, small groups, teams, retreats, or other gatherings.
If you’re interested in an online or private experience that isn’t currently on the calendar, get in touch. We can talk about what you’re looking for and which Way Back experience might be a good fit.
What language are experiences offered in?
Experiences are currently offered in English. If another language is available for a particular event or private group, that will be noted in the event details.
Do I need any particular experience to take part?
Not at all. People come to The Way Back with all kinds of experience — from years of writing, journaling, or spending time in nature to simply being curious about trying something new.
Each experience is facilitated, with guidance and invitations along the way, so there’s nothing you need to know or prepare beforehand. You’re welcome to take part in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
Come curious. That’s enough.
What is Journal to the Self®, and how is it different from just keeping a journal?
Journal to the Self® is a structured approach to journal writing that introduces a range of techniques for exploring your thoughts, experiences, questions, memories, and ideas on the page.
You’ll discover different ways into the writing and new possibilities for what a journal can be. It can be a place to record moments you don’t want to lose, find your way through a transition, explore a question or decision, notice patterns, revisit a memory, make sense of something you’re feeling, play with an idea, reconnect with your creativity — or simply pay a little more attention to the life you’re living.
It can be a lovely place to begin if journaling is new to you, but it can also bring something fresh to a practice you’ve had for years.
You don’t need to consider yourself a writer, and nothing you write needs to be polished or profound. There’s also no expectation that you share what you write.
Your journal is your own.
Do I have to participate in everything or share with the group?
Everything offered along the way is an invitation.
There may be opportunities to write, reflect, talk, listen, or share with the group. Sharing is encouraged — it can be a lovely part of connecting with one another — but always at your own pace and in your own time.
You might feel like joining in one moment and simply listening or keeping something for yourself in another. Both are welcome.
There’s no right way to take part. Sometimes just being there is enough.