Nature Journaling
Is your brain constantly stuck in “work-mode”?
This simple activity uses your senses to instantly pull your mind into the present moment, offering a powerful mental “reset” button. The goal here isn’t to be a great artist or a brilliant writer. It’s to disrupt your brain’s cycle of worrying and planning by focusing on something natural and non-digital.
What You Need
- A small notebook (or scrap of paper)
- A pen or pencil
- Five minutes of uninterrupted time
The Activity
Find a nice, quiet spot outdoor. You can do this on a park bench, at the balcony, or during your lunch break walks. Look around closely and draw / write down one small detail you notice. (E.g. veins on a single leaf, the way a spiderweb glistens with dew, and the crack in the sidewalk where a flower is growing.)
The Non-Judgmental Rule
The most important part of this exercise is non-judgmental observation.
- There’s no wrong thing to notice.
- Your drawing doesn’t have to be good.
- The point is to simply observe and record — not to analyze, critique, or worry about your to-do list!
This simple act of sketching or writing creates a powerful connection with nature, helping you encode memories and feelings of awe and wonder that you can revisit long after your journaling session ends!
Challenge complete! We hope you’re refreshed and recharged. Don’t lose that momentum! Next week’s Wellbeing Challenge is right around the corner. If you’re new or just want a refresher, view Wellbeing Challenge #1 here.
OUTHOUSE offers in-person consultations with qualified landscape architects and designers to help you get the most value out of your landscape. We can provide verbal advice, wellbeing audit, planting plans or a full landscape design. Get in touch with us to create your Wellness Garden!
