Journaling With Nature

Jarod K. Anderson, a poet and author deeply connected to nature, shares his journey of discovering beauty in everyday life. He reflects on childhood walks in nature and the transformative power of poetry, highlighting how it connects us to our human experiences. The conversation explores the balance between self-care and engagement with social issues, where nature serves as a balm for depression. Jarod emphasizes the joy of creativity and the importance of whimsy, reminding us to cherish life's wonders and embrace the magic hiding in plain sight.

International Nature Journaling Week is coming up again soon (1-7th June) and in this episode I chat about all the ways that you can get involved during the week.Our overarching theme this year is ‘Celebrating the Cycles of Life’ and our daily themes will explore the biological processes that organisms might go through in their lifecycles. The daily themes are:Germination and emergenceGrowth and developmentMetamorphosis and transformationReproduction and replicationFruiting and dispersalDecay and decompositionRenewal and regenerationThe website for International Nature Journaling Week is: www.naturejournalingweek.com. The best way to stay in touch with what’s coming up during the week is to subscribe to the newsletter.You can connect with others from all around the world on the INJW Facebook page. If you would like to see my daily pages during the week and participate in giveaways, follow @journalingwithnature on Instagram.If you would like to share a short video of yourself talking about one of the prompts, email me at bethan@journalingwithnature.com and I will share how you can do this. If you are interested to see Susanne Swing Thompson’s new book A Closer Look: The Neighborhood, visit her website here. We look forward to sharing with you during International Nature Journaling Week 2024!-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated. Thanks for listening!

Suzy Sharpe is a British painter and printmaker who examines the bond between humans and nature through her art. In this engaging conversation, she shares her journey balancing family life with studying fine art. Suzy discusses her love for Cornwall’s wildlife, the emotional impact of nature on our identities, and how children's perspectives can reignite our sense of awe. She explains the beauty of botanical monoprinting and reflects on the role of storytelling in fostering environmental awareness.

Free writing is a technique where we write continuously for a period of time, without censorship or judgment. It can help us connect with our natural surroundings as well as our inner landscape, and can bring clarity, insight and a sense of calm.-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Anastasiia Morozova, a watercolor artist and digital nomad, shares her transformative journey from classical art training in Russia to becoming a freelance artist. She highlights the importance of daily sketching for self-expression and overcoming self-doubt. Anastasiia discusses how personal projects can lead to professional opportunities. She also reflects on the impact of mentorship and offers travel sketching tips, revealing her favorite tools for creating art on the go. Her insights empower aspiring artists to cultivate their creativity.

The discussion highlights the art of creating nature collections in journals. Listeners are encouraged to document various natural elements like shells and leaves. The transformative power of observation is emphasized, inviting deeper appreciation of nature. Different collection forms, from sketches to sensory notes, are explored. Finally, the emotional connection to one's collection is examined, provoking thoughts on how these items evoke memories and feelings.

Leandra Taylor, an artist, environmental scientist, and educator, inspires others to embrace nature's joys through art and storytelling. She shares her passion for birdwatching, igniting love for the outdoors. Hear about her transformative trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, where community support became pivotal. Leandra reflects on the power of storytelling in connecting with nature and discusses her creative expression through various art forms, emphasizing how those experiences foster emotional growth and self-compassion.

Let’s go on a colour hunt! Take a small handful of colour pencils and head outside. See if you can find these colours around you in nature. When you find something that matches one of the colours you chose, sketch that object in your journal using the pencil. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Lily Urmann, an educator and biomimicry specialist, shares her deep passion for exploring nature's wonders. She discusses how biomimicry can inspire innovative solutions and foster hope in our relationship with the environment. Lily highlights the joy of hiking with nature enthusiasts, the significance of nature journaling to connect generations, and how place-based learning enriches our understanding of the world. Her insights remind us to embrace curiosity and immerse ourselves in the small details of the natural landscape.

Nature journaling can be a way to take a break from our busy lives, calm the nervous system, and facilitate healing for the body and mind. Take some time to nature journal for the sole purpose of allowing yourself to rest and heal.I would love to hear about your experiences with nature journaling as a way to facilitate healing. You can leave a comment below this episode on the Journaling With Nature website. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!