About the Author

Jilly Jackson
Digital Artist | BSc Plant Science

Growing up in the seventies was a very different world than today, with little amusement other than books, bikes and the great outdoors. I recall being around the age of four, and desperately wanting to join my family on hikes, heartbroken watching my siblings and Dad disappear across the fields without me. When I was eventually old enough to join them, I observed a new world of colourful floral symmetries, a concerto of soothing sounds, the fresh smell of nature with its variety of tall grasses, home to a magical miniature world of invertebrates. Ladybirds in their masses, metallic winged insects oblivious to my existence, butterflies toying with me as we headed off across the wild meadows.

I believe this set in motion my life long passion for nature, ignited from this privileged access to explore, liberated play and freedom.
Over the summer holidays we moved house. I was very much a Tomboy by this point and aware that being a girl was starting to pose an issue around boys. As I didn’t want to miss out on play options in the new neighbourhood, I decided to tell them all that I was called Tim. I had a wonderful summer that year, playing football, climbing trees, play fighting and exploring in the countryside, but it all sadly came to an abrupt end when spotted in a skirt at the start of term.

Once I was in the later years of high school I recall that a large proportion of (previously confident) girls would refuse to talk or even smile in the presence of boys and were now looking much more intensely to one another for social cues of how they should look, act and be. While I couldn’t articulate it at the time, I understood it was largely natural to seek social cues from your environment and have a desire to belong, (which I did myself in my previous incarnation as Tim), but the restrictions put upon oneself simply bewildered me. They mocked my indifference while I quizzed their shackles because I was busy enjoyed freedom collecting newts, swimming in the wild and climbing trees, how could they not want to be pacified by nature I thought?

Though scoffed at as a teen, it made no odds, occasionally puzzled upon as a young adult held no relevance because this mindset was my treasure key to the firm foundations of mental equilibrium. Jumping forward to today; the influence of Social media, the draw to seek an identity externally has now extended to the very young who have access to influencing online behaviour. Dictating how they should look, act and be, which I believe is exacerbating mental health issues and why I continue to be a passionate advocate of finding freedom in nature.

Do you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?