resources

I randomly stumbled upon an environmental NGO offering a wide range of classes, mostly on marine and forest conservation.

After a few minutes of browsing their website, my heart thrumming against my chest in excitement, I was already filling out a contact form to learn more about their offerings. Their one-week programs were enticing but too daunting for an introvert like me (at least for now), so I inquired about their one-day course on rainforest ecosystems instead (a lecture followed by a field activity).

The last section of the form was the classic “Tell me about yourself.” My hands flew across my keyboard, and after quickly polishing the text, I submitted it without a second thought. I didn’t want to give myself the chance to overthink and back out.

Here’s what I came up with:

Hi! I’m Anne from Laguna. I’ve been working in the corporate world for around 8 years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree, and one of my biggest what-ifs in life is, “What if I’d pursued the natural sciences instead?”

I’ve always been fascinated by nature, particularly trees, forests, and the mountains. I also love the ocean and its many secrets, and learning to swim—and, eventually, scuba dive—is on my bucket list. For now, though, I want to focus on the land first, starting with forests.

For years, nature has been at the back of my mind, but I never seriously considered learning about it. Sure, I’d expose myself to nature-related books, online courses, videos, documentaries, and podcasts, but it was always just a phase. For one reason or another, nature was never fully integrated into my daily life. When I finally went hiking for the first time this month, after putting it off for years because I lacked the confidence, I realized what had been missing.

Being out in nature and learning firsthand.

It seems so simple, but I’ve never been an “outdoor girl.” I live in a city and have always considered myself a homebody. I didn’t grow up camping, hiking, or spending weekends in nature. But now that I’m in my 30s, I’m ready to finally embrace this side of myself and pursue my passion for the natural world. One is never too old to learn, and learning doesn’t have to be in a formal academic setting.

I’m looking forward to this new stage of my life, and I’d love to learn with your organization in the future.

Was it oversharing? Most likely.

Do I regret sending it? Definitely not.

Can I afford their classes, which also entails flying across the country? Absolutely not, but there’s no harm in asking, right?