Nature Journaling When Things Are Hard

If you’re feeling down, try going out and nature journaling. You might still feel sad, but at least you’ll have a nature journal page afterwards. (This is a modified version of an Austin Kleon quote.) But more likely, you’ll feel a little bit better, because you spent time paying attention not only to nature, but also to yourself.

It helps to spend time being present and aware of where you are right now: not what is going on elsewhere, or what has happened in the past, or might happen in the future. You, here, now.

Creating a nature journal page also involves your body. Moving your arm and hand across the page connects what you see, feel, and think with what you’re physically doing in the world. You end up with a unique paper record of the present moment, something tangible you can hold in your hands and share with others.

Moving our bodies to create good things, however small, is valuable and healing.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frightened right now, and to continue to scroll online, reading and watching in search for answers. But nature journaling teaches us to slow down. To allow ourselves the space to ask questions and not know the answer right away. To question the answers we’re given. To make connections between what we’re seeing now with what has happened in the past. To ask, “What does this remind me of?”

I feel like right now, that is crucial.

Take care of yourself and look out for your neighbors. “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo…and it’s worth fighting for.”