A Rooted Relationship

The importance of immersing yourself in nature, with spearfisherwoman and freediver Kimi Werner 

Photos by Christa Funk

Immersing myself in the underwater world gives me a sense of self that has been my most guiding light throughout life. It teaches me lessons that I take with me and apply on land — it teaches me to slow down, especially when I feel the urge to speed up and rush. It teaches me to stay calm in the face of fear and it constantly reminds me that panic never gets me anywhere good. Ever. 

"The more time I spend in my underwater field, the more I become a part of it."

At first, diving into this world was scary and filled with anxiety, and honestly it still can feel that way at times, but being completely immersed is exactly what makes me fully present. And being fully present is what teaches me to have grace under pressure and navigate challenges rather than run from them. 

Underwater, I'm living in the exact moment, taking in the sights and feeling all of the sensations — whether it's fear of the unknown, or butterflies of giddiness from the surrounding beauty, or just the peace and awe that comes with a calm, clean ocean day—I'm there for it all. It's invigorating to be so engulfed that these sensations are felt whole, not drowned out by the other noise that gets stuck in my head on land. I'm not thinking about all the things I need to do, nor replaying conversations or old thoughts. I'm also not distracted by devices. I'm here, 100 percent, all in. 

Becoming a part of a natural ecosystem also gives me a strong connection to this planet we call home. The more time I spend in my underwater field, the more I become a part of it. I leave words behind for they're no use to me down below and every movement I make is based on observation and instinct. 

When I depart from the ocean, I take that energy with me. My whole being feels cleansed from the pure act of being absolutely present for hours. It's like giving my brain and entire energy system a deep clean or reset. My happiness is thriving with the afterglow of taking a trip to another world and bringing home memories that will dance in my mind forever. And more than anything, I'm left with a sense of belonging. A bond to the natural world. A feeling that makes me feel loved and whole and like I'll never really be alone as long as I have nature.  

"A bond to the natural world. A feeling that makes me feel loved and whole"

Spearfishing for my own food and sourcing the majority of my meals straight from the source feels like self-love. It's literally taking nature and putting it into my body. It keeps me connected to the ecosystem by allowing me to be a part of it. It also feels more caring toward the natural world itself, as there's an accountability and a responsibility that comes with every choice I make — from the selectiveness of the harvest to the promise of not letting a morsel of it go to waste. Harvesting, cooking, and eating this way takes a lot more time and effort than the more common practice of modern convenience, but I continuously choose this path because it adds such value and meaning to my everyday life.  

The more work I put into valuing these gifts from nature — all of it, the food, the activity, the beauty and the mental therapy the more it pays off for the long term. My efforts not to waste add up and accumulate into a bounty of abundance, giving me more than enough to share with my loved ones and community. The activity keeps me healthy, the beauty keeps me inspired and the ocean therapy helps me grow and evolve in happiness within this ever-changing world.  And I think that's how nature works. Everything and everyone has a role, a purpose. And together by pursuing our purposes, we become a part of something bigger. Nature thrives in diversity, so it's wonderful that no one has the exact same path or purpose to happiness. For me, it's spearfishing, cooking, and getting to know the plants and animals around me. What once started as an individual pursuit of joy and satisfaction ended up becoming the vehicle to becoming a contributing member of a community with the ability to share such gifts with others.