Challenge Day Four: Nature Journaling Nearby Nature

Home » Challenge Day Four: Nature Journaling Nearby Nature

Have you tried nature journaling “nearby Nature?”

Today’s Prompt: “Nearby Nature”

You don’t have to go to Yosemite to nature journal. As a matter of fact you don’t even have to leave your house. If you were a three year old you would find fascinating nature just looking at your toes or a cat. As adults we learn to filter this out. We feel like we have to go on a voyage to see things worthy of drawing or nature journaling. However, Marcel Proust nailed it when he said “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.”

How do we see with new eyes? Luckily for us, nature journaling provides the solution. The more you practice the more you are able to find wonder in the ordinary. I think the phrase “nearby nature” was first coined by Nature Journaling Educator Melinda Nakagawa. You can see an interview with Melinda down below.

Tips for Nature Journaling Nearby Nature

You might need to step outside your normal mindset in some way to help you appreciate nearby nature...

First, try a microscope or magnifying glass. You don’t have to look beyond your own body to find wonder! Your own skin or hair will suddenly become infinitely interesting when magnified 20x or 100x!
Next, try a fridge safari. In fact, I have a whole video about this. How to nature journal in your refrigerator.
Equally useful is to adapt your environment. Getting a houseplant, making a terrarium, or raising caterpillars are all powerful strategies.
Do a cross section. Sometimes, cutting something open will reveal an internal world.
Do you have a window? Setting up an observation point for easy nature journaling there can be great! Maybe you can even do a slight remodel to improve it.
Of course you can always nature journal the sky itself.
Finally, and perhaps obviously, you can go to a garden or nearby park. Even urban areas often have small gardens or parks. For example there is probably a park near you that you have never considered worthy of nature journaling. With this in mind, I challenge you to nature journal at the most “boring” park! Surprisingly, if you do it you will find something cool.
Last but not least, nature journaling at home is a useful practice regardless of your mobility and access needs. Here are some prompts for nature journaling at home.