Nature is happening just on the other side of your window. Why not take note of the life happening out there? Your journal could be a written list of your observations. Or a sketch, a painting, an audio file …however you wish to record your observations. Next year you may compare this year’s observations with that. I suspect some people have numerous years of observations recorded in some fashion and compare a year to another for a location or another.
Or you could step outside! Whether it is your backyard, your front yard, or a favorite local area, you could journal what you observe there. It need not be every day. Maybe once a month. Possibly when you notice plenty of activity at a time. Or a compilation of what you had seen during the month. It’s your decision: when, how, where … I encourage you to enjoy the activity, whatever you choose.
Our backyard has busy days with birds and other wildlife running through. So I simply try to capture the various animals beyond our usual birds. If I was real ambitious I would be sketching some of the plants finally blooming! But, my goal is to combine some personal relaxation time with sketching time and enjoy what critters are in our backyard. Here’s a bit of what happened in July in our backyard:
I thought of adding watercolor paint, but I really don’t want to complicate my goal … especially my relaxed state. This is also my usual tea time … 10:30am … and it’s all for fun! I hope I do look back on this page next July … that would be very cool! Are you taking time for yourself to enjoy moments in nature?
Cool idea. This week we had our first alligator in 23 years, 3 deer eating fruit dropped from a palm and a hoot owl that drives our dog crazy.
Whoa! So different from NYS, worth noting your southern habitat!
Mary, I’m not good at drawing like you but have kept a diary for many years (45) – I quite about 10 years ago but condensed the most important (activities with & without friends, unusual sightings, plant life, bird comings & leave/return dates from trips to name a few) & put them on a daily calendar. I transfer it all every year so on this day I can see what we’ve noticed over many years. It’s very interesting & I got the hobby from my mother who kept a 5 year diary all her life.
I’m impressed. Journaling each day whether drawing, writing or audio takes time, but I can imagine the fun of seeing how things change or stay the same through the years.