When I think about roots and earth for adopted people, I recognise how complex these words can be, especially for those adopted in the closed‑adoption era. For most people, roots come from family lines, familiar stories, and the ground they were born into. But for adoptees, the architecture begins with a severance and a forced reconnection.

One of the simplest resources we all have to hand is also one of the most powerful: our breath. We can make use of this tool whenever and wherever we are, to help bring us back into the present, to feel grounded and connected.