Why nature journaling will change your life

Its time to put down our phones once & for all

An example journal entry - but something I aspire to!

Hello, I’m Molly and I write about my slow and simple life in the Scottish Highlands. Please subscribe to support my work and to read more of my stories. You can also find me on YouTube and shop my Etsy Store and sustainable Teemill Clothing.

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It was only when I started to look. To pause. To examine. That I realised what I had been missing. I decided it was time to make a change.

I’ve always thought of myself as a naturalist. Someone who enjoys and understands the natural world. Having spent over 10 years studying and working in wildlife conservation, this is a fair assumption.

That’s why I was surprised by the three delicate sprigs of heather, that I’d carefully laid on my desk.

I gently turned them over in my hand. Rubbing my finger over the smooth leaves. Peering inside the petals. I was overjoyed by their miniscule perfection.

I’ve spent countless days trudging through heather, either for work or pursuing my own adventures, but this was the first time I’d really seen them. I realised that I’d never known them at all. It was the start of a whole new relationship. And it was magical.

I’ll be honest with you. The idea of nature journaling has always terrified me.

I’d convinced myself long ago that I wasn’t an artist. Although I have learnt to embrace my creativity through my business, the thought of putting pencil to paper was a whole new challenge. The perfectionist inside me flinched at my scruffy handwriting and wobbly paint strokes.

I’ve abandoned my artistic endeavours more than once in my adult life. Throwing my pencil down in despair.

But this time felt different. I had a pull. An instinct that my life had the capacity for more. That I needed this.

So, I bought a new sketchbook from Hobbycraft, plucked my sprigs of heather and begun.

Although there were a few false starts along the way - how big should my drawings be? How do you draw petals? Or mix the perfect paint colour? - in the end, I’d done it. I’d finished one whole page. And I knew this was only the beginning.

Upon further investigation, I found other’s that were sharing stories about how nature journaling can change lives. It not only presents a wonderful creative outlet, but provides an opportunity to connect with nature that is becoming worryingly scarce in the modern world.

Its scary to consider how quickly we have become disconnected from nature. Research indicates that the main culprit for this is the rise of technology. There was a steep drop in nature connectedness in the 1950’s, when the first TV’s were found in homes. Now in the age of the internet, things have only gotten worse.

This is despite the fact that numerous research papers show again and again that nature connectedness is a crucial factor of our wellbeing.

Nature journaling might just be the best tool we have to tackle the mental health crisis that is crippling our young people.

How to start your own journal

I know I’m not the only one who is intimidated by a blank page, so I thought I’d share some tips to get you started on your own journey -

Spend time in nature

This sounds obvious, but the more time you spend outside, the more you will notice and be inspired to capture.

Start small

Don’t feel you have to record everything you see on your wanders. Try and pick one or two things that stand out to you and start with that.

Limit materials

All you need to start nature journaling is some sort of notebook and a pencil. So resist going mad at the art store! You can work up your materials over time, if this appeals to you.

Keep it private

This journal is just for you. Its a place that has no rules and there is never an expectation to share it. This may change over time as your confidence grows, but be gentle with yourself at the start.

Find inspiration

As usual, I turned to Skillshare when I first started learning about nature journaling. I especially enjoyed Johanna’s class - ‘An introduction to nature journaling’, who had some wonderful tips that got me scribbling right away.

There are so many wonderful examples online to inspire you (my mother

Fiona D Artisan

being one who is a wonderfully talented artist and has her own Substack Seasonal Creativity). But don’t let this intimidate you. This should just serve as ideas, rather than putting you off!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a nature journal? Would you like to start one? Please do comment below.

With my favourite season approaching, I can’t wait to have even more of an excuse to crunch through leaves and capture the many shades of autumn in my own unique way. Who knows what I will discover next?

Until next week,

Molly xx

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