“Mental health is based on a certain degree of tension, the tension between what one has already accomplished and what one still ought to accomplish, the gap between what one is and what one should become. What man needs is not a tensionless state but rather a striving worthy of him” – Viktor Frankl
POLAR BEAR VISITS
It’s been busy with Polar Bear activity around Bamsebu the past few days. With no ice in the fjord they come sneaking up to the hut along the shoreline and just yesterday came right to the front door as we were trying to exit to investigate the sounds we heard outside.
There is both a certain thrill and awe in seeing a magnificent polar bear and a certain fear that is incited throughout your body. We remain humbled and vigilant in how we move and how far we go.
14 MONTHS OF ISOLATION
We have been called brave, strong and courageous as we have managed to thrive and survive alone together for over 14 months on this citizen science expedition in the name of Climate Change. We have endured months of darkness, solitude and isolation, navigated fear and hurricane storms. We have hauled, pushed, pulled and carried equipment, boats and supplies and we have definitely gotten stronger physically and more importantly, mentally.
Yoga time
Me-time.
HEROIC AGE OF EXPLORATION
The official “Heroic Age of Exploration” was in the early 1900’s when daring feats were largely recognized as men who conquered, summitted and battled the elements. Today we still revere the exploits of women and men who venture north and south on Expeditions. Many admire the physicality of these exploits. Yes, they are admirable on a physical level but the real toughness, the kind that is truly to be admired is not the physical strength but the mental tenacity that people possess.
There are many individuals out there that might not ‘look like’ Expedition material- buff or strong on the outside. And many might possess physical limitations but this does not mean they are weak or incapable of hauling themselves to the South Pole. On the contrary. Real strength lies in our mental strength.
OUR SUCCESS AT BAMSEBU
We would like to encourage more dialogue and language around the skills that define mental toughness and strength- which is also a large muscle to be exercised. In this day of Covid where isolation, a change in routine, redefined self-identity and uncertainty over the future loom large our mental health is being greatly challenged. Our real success here at Bamsebu is not in how we have survived the cold, the winds, the imminent Polar Bear danger, the remoteness, the lack of running water and electricity.
Our real success lies in how we have coped and managed to sustain a high level of Mental Health. Mental Health is learned and requires tools. It is the “how” in how we keep ourselves happy, inspired, joyful, rested, injury-free, healthy, creative, purposeful, engaged, accessible to each other, safe, respectful, grateful and kind.
10.000 HOURS TOGETHER IN A 20m2 CABIN
Around the globe routines are being disrupted and our sense of self is being tested. This is a most excellent time to experiment with living differently and embracing all sides of who we are.
We have managed to go without a shower for more than a year at Bamsebu. Still we have a high level of cleanliness and we can look at ourselves in the tiny mirror and feel proud of who we are. We have spent over 10,000! hours together and remain best friends -respectful, kind and caring. We have managed to live together in a 20m2 space that is our living room, bedrooms, dining room, office, spa, workout studio, kitchen, laundry room and science lab.
It’s time to give yourself permission to exercise your mental strength by thinking differently and using your intellectual flexibility to cope with change and the people around you. We are capable of making great changes and it starts first with us.
Big Hugs from the Polar Girls. Xx
Hearty girls outside the hearty cabin
INTERESTING LINKS OUT IN SPACE
Have you seen our 14-day challenge? Click here, scroll down a little and join us!
Link to Mental and Physical monthly Page
In case you missed it. Here is a 3 min program created by CNN for their series “Call to Earth”. which focused on HITI and Citizen Science “
Remember to pre-order our new book.
An article in Ms. Magazine
Hi!
As ever, I enjoyed your words on mental health. You are an awesome example of inner strength as well as the everyday strength required to manage your lovely Bambesu project! Many thanks!
By the way, I haven’t yet received my book. I sent my order and funds at the start in April. At that time there was a glitch in the PayPal system and I sent the added funds needed.
Any idea when I might get the book? Looking forward to it!
I so admire your determination and your desire to help provide information on the rapidly changing environment.
A question……I’m not sure who it is doing yoga…..what watch are you wearing? I know someone who saw it and admired it and I would like to get one for her.
Thanks for all your hard work!
All best wishes,
Elaine Spieler
You strong warriors are inspiring and uplifting!! My daughter and I read about you in her Highlights magazine and we are truly in awe of your incredible outlook and research.
What you are able to accomplish is truly remarkable. You inspire us to be stronger—mentally and physically. Thank you!!!
Thank you Rebecca. A lot of greetings to you and your daughter from the Arctic 🙂
Thanks a lot for sharing this insight about mental strength and how you are coping with this amazing adventure. I admire you a lot and you inspire me. I always admired women like you, it’s always harder for women to go through these kind of things and in general in many jobs.
For me mental strength means inner peace (a lot of yoga) .acceptance and gratitude. Facing challenges is not an easy task but we can do it, by supporting each other’s.
Thank you very much Sara 🙂
Love the outdoor Arctic yoga pic! 👍 Sunniva, where’s your good ‘ole CDN curling broom to keep the snow off your mat? 😉 Which one of you is in charge of keeping an eye out for the polar bears when your both doing your “child’s pose” or “downward dog”? 🙈 So good to see both of your still smiling’ faces and hearing your tales of how you’re handling the Arctic adversity together so strongly. Did you both do your Polar Bear swim on this New Year’s? 🥶 Hope you’re still having a chance to enjoy a glass or two of red wine and potato chips occasionally? 😂 To paraphrase another awesome CDN (Neil Young), (and in light of all the current turmoil going on in the world these days), it’s heartwarming to see that you ladies are still, “Rockin’ in the Arctic World”! 🙏 All the best to you in your ongoing adventures. Take care. 🤗 Cheers, Stevie Wonder in Squamish, B.C., Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks Steve <3
Hello Ladies,
I just found this website and am fascinated with what you are doing. I am your age and I admire your spunk and grit. I seriously doubt my ability to do something on the scale of your project. I will be following you from now on. I wish you wellness and happiness. I know that may seem strange but I think its important for a pursuit as strenuous as yours to find happiness in something about it. All my best, Scarlett Graves Texas USA
Hi.
I am following the study of your female polar bear with great interest and a sinking feeling for the other polar species who depend on these magnificent apex predators for their survival.
A new book by James Raffan called ‘Ice Walker’ follows the life of a female polar bear in the Canadian Arctic. Elegantly written and researched.
Are you doing any studies on the ‘invasion’ of Orcas, hunting walrus, seals & other species in the North, now that the diminishing sea ice is increasingly less of a barrier to expanding their territories?
Hoping to howl for the wolves at the next full moon!!
Stay well and safe.