On a quiet Friday evening, our community came together for a special screening of The Way Out - a film that invites us to slow down, reflect, and rediscover what truly sustains us.

Hosted by the North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) and supported by Queensland Mental Health Week, the event offered a rare space to connect mindfulness and climate care - two things deeply intertwined in our collective wellbeing.

A Film About Renewal and Reflection

The Way Out follows two people on very different but parallel paths: a burnt-out banker searching for meaning beyond material success, and a frustrated climate activist exhausted by endless opposition to fracking on his homeland. Both find refuge in a small French village, where life revolves around simple daily practices - gardening, mindful walking, and presence.

Through their journey, we’re reminded that caring for the world begins with caring for ourselves, and that change - both personal and societal - is rooted in awareness and compassion.

Conversation: Mindfulness and Climate Action

After the film, Bridget Ferguson (Psychology for a Safe Climate & Coral Watch) and Luna Prince (NQCC Community Campaigner) shared reflections that resonated deeply with many in the room.

Bridget opened up about her own experience with feeling burnout, realising over time that exhaustion isn’t just an individual problem - it’s a symptom of our times. “Our planet is burning out,” she reflected, “and our mental health mirrors that. But we can address it together.” She spoke of the importance of creating spaces where we can talk about the emotional dimensions of climate and ecological crises - grief, anxiety, hope, and care - as essential parts of the work for change.

Luna shared that she too has often wondered about stepping away from the pressures of modern life and choosing simplicity - a life removed from capitalism. Yet she continues to find meaning in activism, even as it demands constant ethical decision-making in a fast, consumption-driven world. For her, mindfulness helps hold that tension: “Even five minutes a day helps me stay grounded, grateful, and focused on what really matters.”

Together, Bridget and Luna explored how mindfulness can take many forms - daily self-care, connecting with others, deep listening, time in nature, or acknowledging Traditional Owners and Country. They discussed how mindful practice can help us sit with difficult feelings like climate grief, rather than being consumed by them, and how compassion can open new pathways for dialogue, creativity, and connection.

Grounding the Body and Senses

The evening started and concluded with grounding practices led by Juanita D’Aguiar (Dynamic Synergy Yoga & Counselling), helping participants connect body, breath, and place. We were guided through gentle exercises - feeling the breeze, recognising our presence, and finishing with a “bumblebee breath” to calm the nervous system:

- Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose for 3–4 seconds. Exhale for 6–8 seconds, making a gentle humming sound (like a buzzing bee). This simple exercise activates the vagus nerve and supports relaxation,  something many of us took home to practice again.

Gratitude

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, to Juanita for her guidance, to Bridget for her openness and wisdom, and to volunteers Krissy and Nigel for their wonderful support.

And thank you to Queensland Mental Health Week for making this community event possible.

If you’d like to continue exploring mindfulness and reflection at home, download our Mindfulness & Reflection Activity Sheet – The Way In here

or explore the following websites:

-Community resources for climate emotions by Psychology for a Safe Climate

-Resources by ActiveHope.info