"Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from."
Gentle Walks in Nature with Reflective Journaling
Have you wanted to deepen your connection with nature and renew appreciation for the simple life moments we once took for granted?
Through a combination of forest bathing and journaling, these nature-based gratitude strolls provide time for self-reflection and offer meditative prompts around the practice of gratitude as we awaken our senses to the more than human world. Merging these two powerful practices helps develop a conscious habit of expressing thankfulness and appreciation for every part of your life.
Gratitude has been proven to increase well-being by improving mental and physical health, sleep quality, relationships, self-esteem, empathy, and more.
As we walk, we will reflect on what we are thankful for in each moment through connecting deeply with the healing aspects of nature, journal what we were grateful for during our walk, and reflect on why we are grateful.
A gratitude walk is a powerful way to shift your mood. It is particularly useful when you are feeling down or filled with stress and worry.
We all have many things to be thankful for, beginning with the infinite gifts from nature — the sun that warms us, the food that the earth provides, the water we drink, and our physical body. We can be grateful for the friends and family who share our joys and challenges and for all living things and existences in the universe. There is much to learn from the natural world about how to live a life based on relationships, abundance, and giving.
A crucial aspect of maintaining well-being is gratitude. Gratitude doesn’t have to be synonymous with appreciation. It can mean acknowledgment and recognition. Gratitude is recognizing the good things or positive life experiences we did not actively work towards or ask for.
By experiencing nature and practicing gratitude, personal well-being and quality of life can be vastly improved.
Like a garden, gratitude requires nurturing and cultivation.
Benefits of Journaling in Nature
Journaling is a meditative and therapeutic practice, so you may even experience a profound shift in your mental well-being after you start writing. Combining journaling with a forest bathing walk offers a unique opportunity to connect with the more than human world while processing your thoughts and emotions. Combining these two powerful practices helps develop a conscious habit to express thankfulness and appreciation for every part of your life.
Why Journal?
Although the practice of journaling certainly isn’t new, it’s definitely a bit of a forgotten art. In today’s digital age, we tend to use our smartphones for everything.
But the physical act of putting pen to paper, especially while spending time in nature, can be calming, relaxing and rewarding. It makes us slow down and become quiet observers. It can also deepen your connection to the more than human world—and ultimately, to yourself.
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing is a wellness practice. It is a mindful and slow walk in nature during which your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to awaken your senses, tune in to the present moment, and reconnect with nature. In the process, stories surrounding nature - both inner and outer, often arise.
This is a walking meditation, not an exercise, hiking, or jogging, but simply being in nature and connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
What to Expect?
Weaving together forest bathing and journaling, this nature-based gratitude stroll provides time for self-reflection. You will be offered meditative prompts around the practice of gratitude as we awaken our senses to the more than human world.
As we walk, we will reflect on what we are thankful for in each moment through connecting deeply with the healing aspects of the more-than-human world, journal what we were grateful for during our walk, and reflect on why we are grateful.
At the conclusion of our walk, we will share our thoughts on the experience and enjoy a local, herbal hot tea.
Be thankful for your life, spend time in nature, breathe deeply, let go of your worries,
forgive yourself and others, and build your life around what you love.