Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to another
deep dive.
Today we're going to beexploring nature journaling.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Ooh sounds intriguing
.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Yeah, it is actually.
Our main source today is a blogpost.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
It's called 50 Nature
Journaling Prompts and it's
from a company called Lestallion.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
A company I'm not
familiar with.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Yeah, they actually
make journals.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Ah, okay, so maybe a
little biased, but yeah, maybe
We'll see.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
But their prompts
seem really interesting.
All about, you know, slowingdown, appreciating those little
details connecting with nature,getting those thoughts and
feelings down seems very mindfulyeah, exactly, it's like taking
that pause from the everydayrush right and rediscovering I
don't know that childlike senseof wonder that we often lose I
love that so are you ready tojump into some of these prompts
and see what they, you know,spark in us?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Absolutely.
I'm always looking for new waysto connect with nature.
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Okay, so the first
section we're going to look at
is called observing yoursurroundings, and one prompt
that really jumped out at me wasthis Describe the patterns you
see in the leaves of a treenearby.
How do they change as the lightmoves through them?
I don't know about you, but Irarely stop and think about
those designs in nature.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
It's true, we often
take those intricate details for
granted, don't we?
I mean, when was the last timeyou really looked at the veins
of a leaf?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
The way they branch
out and connect.
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
And there's actually
some science behind this too.
Apparently, focusing on naturalpatterns can actually reduce
stress hormones.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Oh, wow.
So it's like a form of mindfulmeditation, but with real,
tangible benefits.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Yeah, exactly, okay.
So this next prompt kind oftakes it a step further.
It says focus on a singleflower and observe its colors,
shapes and textures.
As you capture this flower inyour journal, what feelings stir
within you?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
It's amazing how
something as simple as a flower
can evoke such a wide range ofemotions.
I know, Right.
Color itself has a profoundimpact on our emotional state.
And then you add the gentlecurve of a petal, the velvety
texture of a stem, all thosedetails.
It really awakens somethingwithin us.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
It makes me think of
how a particular scent can
sometimes transport you back intime.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Oh, absolutely.
Our sense of smell is sopowerful.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Yeah, and speaking of
which, let's move into the
connecting with the seasonsection.
There's a prompt here that askshow does the air smell at this
time of year?
Write about the scents younotice and what they mean to you
.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
I love that.
The smell of spring, rain,autumn leaves, even just a snowy
day Each one triggers such aflood of memories.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
It's like each season
has its own unique scent
signature.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
It does.
And this prompt encourages youto not only identify those
scents but to really explore howthey make you feel, what
memories they unlock, likebuilding a sensory journal of
the year.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I love that idea.
And, speaking of the yearunfolding, nature's constantly
changing, right.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
This next prompt kind
of highlights that.
It says observe how plants andtrees prepare for the upcoming
season.
What changes do you notice intheir colors, textures or growth
patterns?
It's so easy to overlook thosesubtle shifts.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It is.
But when you start payingattention you realize that
nature's always in a state ofpreparation, adapting and
evolving.
It's actually a whole field ofstudy called phenology.
Have you ever heard of that?
Speaker 1 (03:07):
I have not.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
It's fascinating.
It's the study of thesecyclical natural phenomena and
by journaling your observations,you're actually contributing to
the citizen science effort.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
So we're not just
passively observing.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Right.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
We're actually
becoming active participants.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
In understanding the
natural world.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You got it Exactly In
understanding the natural world
.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
You got it, wow.
This deep dive is alreadymaking me appreciate the depth
and complexity of naturejournaling.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
It's so much more
than just writing in a notebook,
isn't it?
It's about cultivating a deeperconnection with nature, with
ourselves, with the world aroundus and, as we'll see with the
next set of prompts, it can alsobe a powerful tool for
unlocking creativity andself-discovery.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
I can't wait to
explore those, but for now,
let's take a pause and let ourlisteners absorb all these
amazing insights.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Sounds good.
Welcome back.
I'm excited to keep exploringthese nature journaling prompts.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Me too, and it looks
like this next section in our
source material Engaging yourSenses is all about, you know,
really tapping into those senses.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, it's not just
about observing nature, it's
about experiencing it with ourwhole being.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Totally.
This prompt really stood out tome.
Close your eyes and breathe.
In what sense do you detect,describe how they make you feel
and what memories they mightbring up?
It's amazing how scent can justtransport you back to a certain
time and place.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
It's like you're
creating your own personal scent
library of nature.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Oh, I like that.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
And you know,
speaking of sensory exploration,
this next one's all about touch.
Run your hand through the grass.
How does it feel?
Describe the textures and thesensations they create.
Oh yeah, just imagining thatcool softness.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
I know right.
It's like this reminder to slowdown and be present in the
moment, like notice those subtlesensations we often miss.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Absolutely.
And there's another prompt thattakes this idea of touch even
further.
Touch a leaf or a piece of bark.
Write about how it feelsagainst your fingers.
Is it rough, smooth orsomething in between?
I love that it's incredible howmany different textures exist
in nature.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
It really is.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
The smooth surface of
a polished stone, the rough
bark of a pine tree, even thedelicate fuzz on a flower petal
Each one tells a story.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Okay, this next
prompt kind of threw me for a
loop.
Pay attention to the taste ofthe air.
Is it salty by the sea, freshin the mountains or earthy after
a rain?
Write about this sensation.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
I never really
thought about the taste of air
before.
It's not something we usuallyconsider, but yeah, the air does
have these subtle flavors thesalty tang of the ocean, the
crispness of mountain air, theearthy aroma after a rainstorm.
It adds a whole new dimensionto our nature journaling.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
It really does.
I love how these sensoryprompts encourage us to kind of
expand our awareness andexperience nature in a more
holistic way, like we're usingall our senses to paint this
richer picture of the worldaround us Exactly and you know.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Speaking of expanding
our perspective, let's move on
to the discovering wildlifesection, where we shift our
focus to, you know, the othercreatures that share our planet.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
I love observing
animals in their natural habitat
.
It's such a privilege to justwitness their behavior and
appreciate their adaptations.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
It is, and these
prompts invite us to become more
mindful observers, to noticedetails we might otherwise miss.
For example, watch a bird for afew minutes.
What colors do you see on itsfeathers, and how does it move
from branch to branch?
You can learn so much.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
It's like a mini
wildlife documentary.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
It is.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Okay, this one really
caught my eye.
Imagine the perspective of asmall animal like a squirrel or
a rabbit.
Write about what it might seeand experience in its day.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
I'm not sure I love
that prompt.
While it encourages imagination, it might be more powerful to
simply observe the animal'sbehavior and try to understand
its motivations, based on whatyou actually see.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, that's a good
point.
It's about grounding ourimagination in reality and
developing that deeperunderstanding of the animal's
world.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
And sometimes you
know, those unexpected animal
encounters can be so powerful,like this prompt right about a
time you encountered a wildanimal unexpectedly.
How did you feel in that moment?
Oh yeah, those moments can beso magical.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
They really can.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
A deer in the woods,
a hummingbird in your garden,
even a curious squirrelapproaching you on a park bench.
Those are the encounters thatstay with you.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
They remind us that
we're part of this larger
ecosystem.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Sharing this planet
with all these other creatures.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
It's a humbling and
enriching experience.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Totally agree.
As we've been kind of goingthrough these prompts, it struck
me that nature journaling isn'tjust about recording
observations, it's aboutreflection too.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Exactly.
It's about connecting thoseobservations to your own
thoughts, feelings andexperiences.
And that leads us perfectly tothe final section, finding
inspiration in nature, where wedelve into the deeper meanings
and insights that we can gleanfrom our time in the natural
world.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
This prompt is
beautiful.
Write about a natural scenethat took your breath away.
What made it so special andunforgettable?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
We all have those
moments where we're simply
awestruck by nature's beauty.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
We do.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
A stunning sunset, a
majestic mountain range, even
just a field of wildflowers.
Those experiences touch oursouls.
They remind us of the power ofnature to inspire awe and wonder
.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
This one really
resonated with me.
What lessons has nature taughtyou?
Reflect on how observing thenatural world has shaped your
outlook on life.
It's incredible how much wisdomnature has to offer.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Nature is a constant
source of inspiration and
guidance.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
It is.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Resilience,
adaptation, the cyclical nature
of life and death, lessons thatcan profoundly impact our lives.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I'm really
appreciating how these prompts
encourage us to engage withnature on all these levels, you
know observation, sensoryexperience, emotional connection
and reflection.
It's like a holistic approachto connecting with ourselves and
the natural world.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Beautifully said.
You know, as we wrap up thissection, I'm curious which
prompts resonated most with you.
What are you most eager to tryout in your own nature
journaling.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Ooh, that's a tough
one.
There are so many good ones.
I think I'm drawn to theprompts that like really tap
into my creative side, you know,like imagining the world from
an animal's perspective ordescribing a scene.
That just took my breath away.
They kind of challenge me tosee things in new ways.
How about you?
What are you drawn to?
Speaker 2 (09:26):
I think for me it's
the prompts that really invite
that deeper reflection onnature's lessons, like how does
nature teach you about patienceand perseverance?
Or what does nature mean to you?
You know these questions thatencourage us to move beyond just
observation and engage withnature on a more philosophical
level.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Yeah, those are
really powerful prompts.
It's like turning nature intothis wise teacher, offering
insights that we can apply toour own lives.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
You know, as we've
been talking about these prompts
, it's really struck me thatnature journaling isn't just
about like the physical act ofwriting.
It's about cultivating acertain mindset, a mindset of
curiosity, mindfulness andappreciation for the world
around us.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
That's a beautiful
way to put it.
It's about slowing down, payingattention and connecting with
nature in a deeper, moremeaningful way, and the best
part is it's accessible toeveryone.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
You don't need any
special skills or fancy
equipment, just a journal, a penand an open mind.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Exactly Whether
you're exploring a bustling city
park or a remote wildernessarea.
Nature's full of endlessopportunities for exploration
and discovery.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Absolutely.
And as we wrap up our deep diveinto nature journaling, I want
to leave you with this thoughtIf you're feeling a little
overwhelmed by all these prompts, just pick one, just one that
speaks to you, spend some timeoutdoors and let your
observations and reflectionsjust flow onto the page.
There's no right or wrong wayto do it.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
That's great advice
Just relax, embrace the process
and enjoy the journey.
Who knows, you might uncover awhole new side of yourself and
the world around you.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Well, it's been a
pleasure exploring the world of
nature journaling with you today.
Hopefully you're feelinginspired to grab a journal and
pen and head outdoors.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Thanks for joining us
on this deep dive.
We'll see you next time as weexplore another fascinating
topic.
Until then, happy journaling.