Boat life, intentional living, and finding balance in a fast-paced world

Katrina Ridley is an advocate for community, intentional living, and breaking away from societal norms to connect more closely with nature - even in the heart of the city. Starting her journey as a dancer, Katrina always had a deep connection to movement and how it feels in the body. She was ‘living the dream,’ but it didn’t feel fulfilling. She decided to chase her real dreams, and started living the life she wanted in order to become the person she aspired to be.

It was after joining a retreat with Jenny at The Wild Times that she discovered her love for water, yoga, and nature. Making the decision to live on a boat in London transformed her perspective on consumption, community, and the way we engage with the natural world. Katrina shares how watching The Minimalists documentary sparked her realization of how little we truly need to be happy. Living on a boat made sustainability an everyday practice - being mindful of water, power, and seasonal changes, lighting a fire with intention, and noticing the rhythms of nature in a way city life often disconnects us from.

We dive into the idea of "opting in and out" of societal norms and the courage it takes to live differently in our fast-paced, achievement-driven world. We reflect on balancing being with doing - giving ourselves permission to slow down, embrace stillness, and create space for creativity. We share insights from The Artist’s Way, reminding us that inspiration doesn’t come from constant busyness, but from carving out room for reflection and play.

Community and connection are also at the heart of this conversation. Post-pandemic, many people have found themselves more isolated, with digital connection replacing real-life interaction. Jenny highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with "expanders" - people who challenge and inspire us - and finding our people through shared passions rather than external validation.

Through insights from her personal journey, Katrina encourages us to rethink what is truly possible in our lives. She reminds us that we don’t need permission to reinvent ourselves, challenge societal conditioning, and step into the life we want.

Her one tip for connecting with nature? Be open to it - nature has no judgement. Don’t allow the narratives you have created about what you like and who you are define your relationship with nature - be open to what feels right.

• Living on a boat: minimalism, sustainability, and intentionality
• How nature influences daily life and the way we consume
• The challenge of existing in a capitalist, high-speed world
• Balancing "being" vs. "doing" and ignoring the societal "shoulds"
• The power of community and surrounding yourself with people who dream big
• Why real-life connection is more important than ever
• Giving yourself permission to reinvent and redefine your life

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