By Ruth Davis
In April I was privileged to spend two days at a beautiful off-grid home in Suffolk alongside other women working in sustainability. Surrounded by trees, birdsong, and the gentle hum of nature, we gathered not just to exchange knowledge, but to pause, reflect, and reconnect, with ourselves, each other, and with the deeper purpose behind the work we do.
Unlike conventional professional events, this retreat didn’t centre around PowerPoints, panel discussions, or business cards. It invited us into a softer, slower, more embodied way of sharing, one that felt more aligned with the values we uphold in our work. Through a thoughtfully held space, we explored not just technical insights, but the emotional and relational landscape of being a sustainability practitioner in a complex world.
Learning to Speak (and Listen) with Compassion
One of the most powerful and insightful sessions was the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) workshop. NVC offers a framework for expressing ourselves honestly and listening empathetically; skills that are vital when working with organisations navigating change. As consultants, collaborators, or community leaders, we often sit in tension between the urgency of climate action and the resistance to transformation.
NVC practice helped us see how often we rush into ‘solution mode’ without understanding the needs behind people’s behaviours. Being able to slow down, name what’s alive in a conversation, and approach it with care, is so important and we all left the session with new language and tools.
Finding Stillness in Movement
We also began each day with Qi Gong and meditation, gently waking up our bodies and settling into presence. It’s easy to underestimate the power of these simple practices, but they provided a grounding connection to the earth, reminding us all of our reason for working in this field.
Qi Gong in particular felt like a metaphor for the work we do at Oxygen: moving with intention and cultivating energy from within. It was both a reset and a resource, and one I intend to integrate more into my day-to-day life.
Why This Matters for Our Work
Taking time to reset, reflect, and retreat is an often overlooked. The sustainability space can be heavy and urgent. Without time to pause, we risk burnout, cynicism, or disconnection from the very values we’re trying to uphold.
For anyone working in this space, I can’t recommend enough finding, or creating, spaces like this. We need more nature, not just networks and more rest, not just resilience. My three key takeaways are:
- Time to reflect is vital – strategic clarity arises in stillness, not chaos
- Connection is key – collaboration rooted in trust and empathy leads to deeper impact
- Fresh perspectives fuel innovation – when we step outside our usual frameworks, we return sharper, more grounded, more creative
Feeling a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration, I’m excited to bring these learnings to the team at Oxygen and continue helping purpose-led businesses and charities to be the best they can be.
