If you haven’t kept a nature journal before, early spring is a great time to start.
A nature journal is a record of your experiences outside, your feelings that day and a channel to creativity which increases your connection to the natural world. On top of this, journaling, as a practise, can ease stress, help you learn more about yourself and understand what your needs are.
There is no right or wrong way to create your journal. You can write, sketch, paint, print out photos, stick in found objects, it’s an entirely personal record. The important thing is to use it in a way that is useful to you.
Getting started
If you choose to draw or paint in your journal, use whatever materials you can afford or have to hand - you don't need to spend a lot of money. If you want to improve your drawing or painting skills, there is a mine of information on the internet to help you. However, don't worry about whether your journal is 'good' or not. Nobody is going to judge it - it's something entirely for you.
Bringing focus to your journal
A blank page can be intimidating but there are plenty of ways to overcome this. If you’re feeling self-reflective, creating bullet lists of your aims, hopes, dreams, intentions, worries and things you’re grateful for is a good way to get started. You could also use or adapt the following prompts if you need some inspiration:
Focus on your senses – stand still and then record all the sounds you can hear, all the smells you can smell or everything you can see and add a personal reflection on how they made you feel.
Spend 10 minutes watching some birds. Describe how they move. Can you relate to them in any way?
Write about a personal experience you had in nature. Why is it special to you? How were you feeling that day? How does that compare to today? What is different about it?
Describe a nature adventure you’d love to have. Why do you want to do it? What personal goal would it be fulfilling?
Describe and sketch your favourite season.
Journaling can be a helpful way to process your thoughts and increase your awareness of the world around you. It isn't complicated but you do need to dedicate regular time to it, to ensure it becomes part of your routine. Hopefully, you will find it brings some peace and creativity to your day.
Commentaires