ROOTED: A Creative’s Path to Renewal
by Natalie Curry
Some of you may know me for my love of mushrooms—or my signature selfies with them—while others might remember me from my years as a family photographer. But was I always this “weird mushroom-loving girl”? Not exactly.
It wasn’t until I moved to the Finger Lakes region of New York over three years ago that I discovered a deeper connection to the earth and the profound healing it offers—something I never expected.
Before the move, I was constantly hustling—chasing the next big idea, the perfect location, the most photogenic subject. I was always reaching for that “wow factor,” pushing myself to do more, be more, achieve more. But when I landed in this breathtaking corner of the world, something shifted. The unexpected closure of my photography business became the catalyst for something more meaningful: the chance to truly explore my new home, both physically and emotionally.
The turning point came during my very first mushroom foraging class. What started as a curious weekend activity quickly grew into a life-changing journey. The land here, carved by ancient glaciers, holds a quiet strength I feel every time I walk among the trees or stand near the lakes. I didn’t realize at the time that these hikes would become a kind of therapy—therapy I didn’t even know I needed.
In a world that constantly demands more—more success, more stuff, more stimulation—nature offers the opposite. It invites us to slow down and simply be. There’s no pressure in the woods. Just peace. I’ve never stepped into the forest and felt anything but calm—well, maybe except for the occasional mosquito bite. The water soothes my anxious thoughts. The vibrant colors of the leaves stop me in my tracks, each one a reminder of how much beauty can be held in something so small.
But perhaps the greatest lesson has come through my love of mushrooms. These unassuming organisms have shown me the magic of connection. Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden network—a web of communication and support that binds the ecosystem together. The symbiotic relationship between mushrooms and trees reminds me that we, too, are all connected. It’s easy to go through life overlooking the beauty that’s free and abundant around us, but nature always brings me back to that truth.
I’ll admit, I can be a bit of a “glass half-empty” person, but nature photography has helped shift that lens. With my macro camera in hand, I’m drawn into the intricate worlds of mushrooms, flowers, and tiny insects. The textures of a mushroom cap, the fine veins of a leaf, the soft petals of a bloom—each detail is a quiet marvel. And all of it is just there, waiting for us to notice.
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is to stop chasing and simply marvel at what already exists. Nature gives us beauty, peace, and connection—all without asking for anything in return.
Living here in the Finger Lakes has shown me that the earth isn’t just a backdrop to our lives. It’s a healer. A teacher. A constant, grounding force that reminds us of the power of simplicity. All we have to do is slow down, step outside, and open our eyes.
So next time you feel the weight of the world pressing down, take a walk in the woods. Sit by a lake. Get lost in the tiny details of a mushroom or a flower. Let the earth remind you that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply exist—fully present, fully aware—and embrace the beauty that already surrounds us.
“There is an ancient conversation going on between mosses and rocks, poetry to be sure. About light and shadow and the drift of continents. This is what has been called the ‘dialect of moss on stone’—an interface of immensity and minuteness, of past and present, softness and hardness, stillness and vibrancy, yin and yang.”
—Robin Wall Kimmerer
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