June 11, 2024

Events, Featured, Learn to Draw, National Parks, Nature Journaling, nature journaling walks, Nature Journaling Workshops, Nature Journaling Workshops, Nature Reserves, Uncategorized

Revelations & Epiphanies: Springbrook Nature Journaling Workshop

“My working definition of love is sustained, compassionate attention. When you pay attention to another, it changes your relationship with them, and it also changes you. That attention is also what forms and sustains our relationship with the natural world. Your attention is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to the world, It is a celebration, It is a song of connection. It is a prayer to the wonder of what is around us.”

~ John Muir Laws

It was a crisp, cold, sunny, winter morning as I drove to Springbrook for the Springbrook Environmental Festival where I delivered a nature journaling workshop on behalf of Watergum Community Inc., who are an active environmental not-for-profit organisation based on the Gold Coast.

The walking trail down from the Springbrook Community Hall, leading to the grassed area where the workshop was held.

I was rather excited for this workshop. The festival was a perfect way to bring all of the nature and wildlife groups under the one umbrella. I think that nature journaling can be the bridge that ties these groups together in such a profound and meaningful way as we begin to look deeper through observation, curiosity and wonder.

It’s a common thread that can enhance the collective impact, by sharing valuable insights and inspiring greater public awareness and involvement in conservation and sustainability. For me, after witnessing the impact of my workshop on participants, and then walking around and talking to stall holders at the Springbrook Community Hall, the possibility of creating a bridge between these groups through journaling, was quite a revelation.

What particularly moved me, was a powerful story shared by one of the participants. For Lisa, it was her first time drawing and nature journaling. She relayed the story of how upon seeing the big fig tree with the tyre swing, she was transported back to happy childhood memories of a similar swing she loved, and it really inspired her to sit and journal the scene before her.

But not only during this time did Lisa recall this happy childhood memory, but she also relayed the work-related stress she was currently under, and how through these simple, but powerful nature journaling exercises, she felt at peace and relaxed. Her stress just fell away.

For her, it was the realisation that, a) she could draw and draw really well; and b) nature journaling brought her into the present and relieved her stress. Lisa was so inspired by her experience that she wanted to do more. Especially on her travels. She told me that even though she took many photos, upon returning home, she found she couldn’t remember the details of her trips. But after doing the workshop, she felt that journaling could be the perfect way to cement the memories of her travel and help her to recall experiences, and be able to anchor them to a particular time and place. This held great significance for her.

You see, in the earlier part of the workshop, I had participants complete an exercise around writing down observations, smells, sounds and textures and the feelings and memories they invoked. It was an exercise that required introspection and connecting with something deeper within themselves.

This particular exercise was done differently to previous workshops, and I wasn’t prepared for how impactful this simple exercise was for participants until I began to walk around and talk to them as they journaled. A number of of them were pleasantly surprised at how adept they were at capturing what they saw, so vividly and uniquely. I get such a big kick out of seeing people’s confidence and joy grow.

Just witnessing the results from these simple exercises and talking to people about their experiences profoundly affected me. Every workshop is different, yet it amazes me every time how powerful nature journaling is. I believe it is akin to deep soul work for some.

I got such a buzz out of delivering this workshop, I can’t wait to do more. I also think that being out in nature and field journaling is so different than nature journaling from photographs and/or collected samples. That direct connection and immersion in nature using all your senses, creates such a visceral experience with surprising results. It also allows people to journal in a way that invites exploration, rather than focusing on perfection. I think I love that the most!

Have you tried an immersive nature journaling experience? If not, I encourage you to try it. You’ll be amazed at how good you’ll feel and the results you’ll get.

Until next time, please enjoy…

…good things and beautiful places.

*PSST…

Share this post to