- the natural way of coming back to oneself

Much is talked about regeneration nowadays, in the sense of revitalization of our natural planetary eco-systems. But regeneration also means revitalization of our society and, primarily, of ourselves.

Nevertheless, regenerative movement of our society for revitalization of our planetary ecosystems can be a good example. Much of the world has spent the past years refining a ‘degenerative economy’, and now it faces a triple planetary crisis: climate breakdown, pollution and biodiversity loss. The dominant linear and extractive economy fuels both climate breakdown and wider social inequalities. In viewing the natural world as a machine separate from humans rather than something intertwined with its existence, humans have systematised, commodified and exploited natural systems. Land is owned, extracted from and profited from.

Now, current generation of humans are shifting towards something else. The ways of organisation, thinking and interacting with the natural world are revisited in light of the triple planetary crisis. Just as humans actively designed their separation from the world around them, they can be designed back in. The regenerative economy calls for deeper integration with nature, as was the case for thousands of years (and still is in many indigenous communities around the world). The economy must move towards, or return to a more nature-based, resilient and regenerative approach.

A regenerative economy refers to an economic system that is designed to restore, renew, and revitalize natural resources and social systems, rather than depleting or exploiting them. It is a holistic approach that aims to create economic, social, and environmental well-being by aligning human activities with the regenerative capacities of the planet.

In a regenerative economy, economic activities are guided by principles of sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. The focus is on creating a circular economy that mimics the cyclical processes of nature, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized, and products and materials are designed for reuse, recycling, or regeneration. This approach helps to reduce the extraction of finite resources, minimize pollution, and reduce the carbon footprint of economic activities.

A regenerative economy also prioritizes social well-being, aiming to create equitable and inclusive systems that promote social cohesion, reduce inequality, and prioritize the well-being of communities and individuals. It emphasizes the importance of social and cultural capital alongside economic capital, recognizing that human well-being is interconnected with the health of natural systems.

Regenerative economy principles can be applied to various sectors, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and finance. It involves adopting regenerative practices such as regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and regenerative design in urban planning and infrastructure development. Regeneration should be part of all our activities and aspects of daily life.

The concept of a regenerative economy aligns with the idea of sustainability but goes beyond it by emphasizing the need to restore and regenerate the health of natural systems and communities, rather than just maintaining them. It promotes a more holistic and integrated approach to economic development that considers the interdependence of human, social, and ecological systems, and seeks to create a regenerative cycle of economic activity that benefits all stakeholders, including future generations.

Because our social and economic systems were degenerative up until this point, this left serious scars on people’s well-being and their sense of purpose and happiness. They got disconnected from a natural way of living. Instead of cooperating, they started competing with each other. Instead of taking care of their life energy, they started investing it into never ending money hoarding. Instead of building communities and connections they started isolating themselves.

And because of all this, our generation needs to come back to the nature, to reconnect, to again create meaningful connections and communities. This is regeneration in the ultimate sense of meaning – through individuals coming back to their natural selves, the economic, social and ecological systems can be revitalised and restored as well.

Individual regeneration can be achieved through a variety of methods such as meditation and self-reflection, physical exercise, good nutrition, rejuvenating sleep, spending time in nature and creating peaceful home environments. It also includes community connection which allows for forming strong bonds with friends, family, colleagues, and others, that can provide a solid support system and promote regeneration. Discovering your passion and pursuing a purpose-driven life can also help to become more resilient and maintain healthy energy levels.

By incorporating these methods, we can experience a holistic approach to well-being and restore our true, natural selves. And because we are directly interconnected with our planet and because we have a direct influence onto our social and economic systems, we must make sure that such self-care is ever present. Ultimately, taking care of ourselves and coming back to our own nature means taking care of our communities, systems, and our planet.