Category: Journal Pages

Welcome to the Stillness

This guide is your invitation to slow down. To notice. To reflect. To reconnect with the quiet intelligence of the earth through the simple, grounding act of keeping a nature journal. 

Over the paragraphs that follow, you’ll explore how to:

• Observe nature with fresh eyes, even in familiar places
• Turn seasonal changes into creative inspiration
• Use your journal as a personal sanctuary and source of insight
• Combine art, science, poetry, and play into your journalling process

You don’t need to be a writer, an artist, or a naturalist. You only need curiosity—and a willingness to be still.

So take a breath. Step outside, or look out of the nearest window. The stillness is already waiting.

What Is Nature Journalling

Nature journalling is all about capturing what you observe outdoors. You might sketch a tree, write about a plant, or record the sounds you hear. The goal is to combine art, science, and reflection in one notebook. For beginners, it doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated—just start by noticing what’s around you. Look closely at a leaf, watch how a cloud moves, or listen to the wind in the trees. Use simple drawings, short notes, or even questions like, “What kind of tree is this?” or “Why is that insect here?” Nature journalling is more about curiosity than skill. 

Over time, your notebook becomes a personal collection of discoveries, helping you learn about the environment and notice things you might otherwise miss. It’s a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors and grow your observation skills, no matter your age or experience. Whether you’re using watercolours, simple pencil sketches, or descriptive prose, nature journalling is a way to document both the external environment and your internal response to it.

Why Nature Journalling Matters

The Benefits of Nature Journalling

Practising nature journalling supports mental health by helping us slow down and be present. Taking time to sit quietly and observe the world around you can be a calming break from busy schedules and screens. It reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps you feel more connected to the moment. As you sketch, write, or simply take notes, your powers of observation naturally improve—you start noticing tiny details like the shape of a leaf, the colour of a bird’s feathers, or the way a flower opens in the sun.

Nature journalling also sparks curiosity. You might find yourself wondering what kind of tree you’re looking at or why certain insects are gathered in one spot. These questions can lead to research, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Over time, this growing curiosity helps build a stronger bond with the environment and encourages care for the planet.

In addition to being a peaceful and creative activity, journalling can help improve handwriting, spelling, and even scientific thinking. You’re not just drawing and writing—you’re collecting data, asking questions, making comparisons, and forming your own ideas.

Whether you’re sitting in your backyard or walking through a local park, nature journalling is a simple, rewarding practice that supports learning, creativity, and well-being.

Getting Started

Start light. The goal isn’t to gear up like a biologist on expedition—unless you want to. Your kit can be as minimal or as rich as suits your style.

• A journal — Any notebook will do. Choose one that feels inviting. Options:
  • Blank pages for free expression
  • Lined pages for writing-heavy journalling
  • Mixed-media or watercolour journals if you’ll be sketching or painting
• Pen or pencil — Something smooth and reliable. A black fineliner is a favourite among many.
• Optional Extras:
  • Coloured pencils or watercolour set
  • Double-sided tape for adding found leaves or feathers
  • A pouch or tin to carry it all in

Different Styles & Approaches

Are you more into sketching or writing? Or maybe a mix of both? There’s no single “right” way to keep a nature journal—your style can be as unique as you are. Some people love to fill their pages with detailed pencil drawings or colourful paintings of flowers or landscapes. Others prefer writing, using their journals to describe what they see, hear, smell, or feel in nature. You might choose to jot down facts, questions, or even little poems inspired by the outdoors.

Your journal can also include things like pressed flowers, leaf rubbings, or small maps of your walks. Some people decorate their pages with washi tape, stickers, or labels to make them more fun and creative. Others like to keep things simple with just a pen and notebook. You can even include dates, weather notes, or observations from the same place over time to see how things change.

Experimenting with different approaches is part of the fun. Try sketching one day and writing the next. Mix colours and shapes or make a collage. Over time, you’ll discover what style feels most natural to you. The important thing is to enjoy the process and let your journal reflect your own way of seeing the world.

2. Finding Your Spot

Look for local parks, forests, gardens, or even your backyard. Different places offer varied sights and sounds. A pond may attract insects and birds, while a meadow might be bursting with flowers. Find spots that make you curious and comfortable. Starting nearby makes it easier to make journalling a regular habit.

• A park bench
• Your backyard or balcony
• The view from your window
• A corner of your garden
• A patch of sidewalk where weeds push through

3. Your First Entry: Just Begin

Your first journal page doesn’t have to be profound. Begin with the basics:

• Date, time, and location
• Weather conditions (sunny, breezy, damp, cold, etc.)
• A quick sketch or note about what drew your attention
• One question you have about what you saw

Example entry:
April 9, 2025 – 8:12 AM – East-facing window
Cool, overcast. A robin is pecking at the ground. What is it eating?
Noticed the first daffodil blooming below the steps—yellow like sun.

This is all you need to begin. Over time, your style will emerge. Some days you may write; others you may sketch. Sometimes you may only sit and observe. Every way is valid.

4. Create a Ritual

Set aside time—even 10 minutes a week. A cup of tea and a quiet morning. A walk after work. Keep your supplies somewhere visible. Make it easy for yourself to begin.

• Your attention sharpens
• You start looking for patterns
• You feel more grounded in your day

Choosing When & What to Observe

Early mornings or late afternoons are great times to see animals and plants. Different seasons bring new sights, so try journaling throughout the year. When beginning, pick one thing to focus on, like a flower or a bird, instead of trying to record everything at once.

Developing Your Observation Skills

Take your time. Slow down, relax, and really look at what’s in front of you. Notice colours, shapes, textures, and smells. Use your senses—listening, feeling, even tasting (safely, of course). Try quick sketches for a general idea and detailed drawings for deeper focus. The more you observe, the more natural it will become.

Recording Your Experience

When you journal, combine sketches with notes. Write the date, weather, and location. Describe what you saw and felt. Keep some small natural objects, like a leaf or feather, in your journal or pressed inside for added detail. This makes your journal a personal record of your outdoor adventures.

• Choose any natural object—a leaf, a bug, a pebble, a cloud.
• Spend 2–5 minutes simply observing it without doing anything else.
• Ask yourself:
  • What shapes do I see?
  • What patterns?
  • What colours or textures?
  • Does it move? How does the light touch it?

By the end of those few minutes, you will know that object differently than when you began.

Some helpful phrases to spark mindful observation:

• “I notice…”
• “I wonder…”
• “It reminds me of…”
• “What does this mean?”
• “I’ve never seen this before…”

Each observation is a doorway into deeper awareness, not a test to be passed.

3. Noticing the “Small Quiet Things”

We’re conditioned to seek what’s big, loud, or dramatic. But nature journalling thrives in subtlety:

• The spiral in a snail shell
• A trail of ant tracks across a stone
• A shadow shifting across the bark
• The change in temperature between shade and sun

Try choosing a single square foot of ground and journalling everything you can observe within it. You might be surprised at how alive and layered it is.

The longer you observe something, the more it reveals. Try these:

• Watch the same flower day and note how it changes
• Sit in one place for 15 minutes and record the sounds you hear
• Track the position of the sun or moon at the same hour over several days

This is where journalling moves from hobby to relationship. You begin to develop a sense of time that’s rooted in place and pattern.

5. Practice Prompt: “The One-Thing Walk”

Go for a short walk (5–15 minutes) with the sole purpose of finding one thing to observe deeply.

Once you find it, stop. Sit if possible. Spend 5 minutes studying it, then:

• Write 3 descriptive sentences
• Draw it (even if it’s rough)
• Ask at least one question about it
• Reflect: How do you feel after slowing down?

Repeat this once a week, and your observation skills will deepen naturally.

To observe nature is to learn a new kind of listening. One that happens with your eyes, your ears, your skin, and your breath. The more you practice, the more the world opens up to you—not because it changes, but because you do.

TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE YOUR NATURE JOURNALLING PRACTICE

> Sketching & Drawing Tips for Beginners

Start with basic shapes — circles, triangles, rectangles — then add details. Don’t worry about perfection; aim to capture the essence. Shading can add depth, but quick gesture sketches are useful for capturing movement. Use reference photos or simply observe directly; both improve your skills over time.

> Writing & Reflection Strategies

Ask yourself questions: What colours do I see? How does this plant feel or smell? How do I feel being here? Write short observations and feelings. This helps you connect more deeply and remember the moment. Try journalling at different times of day to notice changes.

> Integrating Scientific Observation

Use field guides to identify species. Record measurements like leaf length or bird calls. Note behaviours, such as how insects move or how birds fly away. This adds a layer of learning and can turn your journal into a mini science project.

> Making Your Journal a Creative Space

Experiment with art mediums — watercolours, pastels, or even simple coloured pencils. Attach pressed flowers, leaves, or special stickers. Use washes of colour or doodles to make pages lively. Your journal doesn’t need to be perfect — it’s about expressing yourself and your observations.

Sensory Noticing — Beyond What You See

Sound reveals what the eyes may miss: the direction of wind, the chatter of birds, a distant river, the creak of branches. It also tells you how a place feels—whether it’s bustling or still, wild or tame.

• Close your eyes and listen for 1–2 minutes.
• Identify:
  • Natural sounds (birds, water, insects)
  • Human-made sounds (cars, voices, machinery)
  • Ambient sounds (wind, rustling leaves, distant echoes)

Write down what you heard and how it made you feel.

Prompt: “The softest sound I noticed today was…”

Scent is memory-rich and often overlooked. Fresh rain, sun-warmed pine, decaying leaves, dry soil, morning dew—each carries meaning and emotion.

• Pause to inhale deeply through your nose.
• What do you smell? Earthy, floral, musty, fresh, smoky?
• What does that scent remind you of?

Prompt: “The air smelled like…”
“This scent reminds me of…”

Keep in mind, the best scents often come just after rain or at dawn/dusk.

3. Touch: The Texture of the World

Our skin is a powerful tool for connecting with nature. Notice textures, temperatures, and the feel of air or moisture.

• Touch a variety of natural elements:
  • Bark (rough/smooth?)
  • Rocks (warm/cool?)
  • Water (flowing/still?)
  • Leaves (velvety/waxy/sticky?)

Write a tactile description without naming the object (e.g., “Soft like worn cotton, but cool and slightly damp”).

Prompt: “Today I touched something that felt like…”

• A garden-grown herb
• Fresh rain
• Wild berries
• The mineral tang of mountain air

5. Intuitive Awareness

Sometimes, a place “feels” a certain way—before you can explain why. It may feel peaceful, mysterious, heavy, joyful, or alive. This is your felt sense—a subtle, intuitive way of perceiving.

Trust it. Try journalling not just what you noticed, but what you felt about it.

Prompt: “The atmosphere of this place feels…”
“If this landscape had a personality, it would be…”

Practice Prompt: The Five Senses Scan

Find a quiet outdoor spot. Spend 1–2 minutes with each sense:

• Sight – What colours, shapes, movements?
• Sound – What layers of sound can you detect?
• Scent – Subtle or strong?
• Touch – What textures or temperatures?
• Intuition – What’s the emotional tone of this moment?

Write a short paragraph that weaves all five together.

“The air felt cool on my skin and smelled of pine needles and old stone. I heard the hum of bees and the sigh of wind through grasses. This place feels wise—like it’s older than time.”

Nature journalling is more than observation—it’s immersion. The more you engage your senses, the more grounded and vivid your experience becomes.

Let the world come to you—not just through your eyes, but through every part of your being.

Sketching in the Wild

You don’t need to be an artist to draw in your nature journal. In fact, drawing isn’t about making something “look right”—it’s about slowing down to see. A sketch is simply a record of attention, a way to connect your hand, your eye, and your curiosity to the living world.

This section is your guide to sketching as a tool for observation, not performance.

1. Let Go of “Good”

Forget about making your drawing look perfect. Nature isn’t perfect, and your journal doesn’t need to be either.

You are:

• Recording what you observe, not reproducing a photograph
• Training your eye to notice form, texture, and relationship
• Learning through looking—and that’s the whole point

Many of the world’s best field journals are filled with scribbles, half-drawn sketches, and quick impressions. That’s the beauty of them.

“A shaky drawing of a real experience is worth more than a flawless one done from a photo later.”

2. What to Sketch

Start small. Focus on one object or detail.
Here are great beginner sketch subjects:

• A single leaf (try top and underside)
• A feather
• A flower, from bud to bloom
• A beetle, snail, or butterfly
• A stone with unique shape or markings
• Tree bark, textured or patterned
• A bird silhouette or footprint

You can also sketch:

• Weather patterns (clouds, sun rays)
• Landscape contours
• Tracks or trails
• Seed pods and cones

Tip: The more you observe, the less you need to “invent.” Let the object lead.

3. Tools & Techniques

You don’t need much to begin—just a pencil or pen and a few minutes.

Quick techniques:

• Contour drawing: Trace the edges with your eye while drawing slowly and steadily, without lifting your pen. Focus on form, not detail.
• Gesture drawing: Loose, fast sketches to capture posture or motion (great for birds or animals).
• Close-up sketch: Draw a small part of a subject up close—like the veins of a leaf or the spirals of a shell.
• Labelling: Add notes around your sketch: colour, texture, date, behaviour (“saw ant crawling across here”).

Remember: A sketch paired with a sentence is more powerful than either one alone.

4. Drawing as Inquiry

Let your sketching be guided by curiosity, not just aesthetics.

Ask:

• How is this shaped the way it is?
• What do the patterns suggest about its function?
• What changes over time—how might this look tomorrow?

MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY & ENJOYING THE PROCESS

> Creating a Routine

Set aside a few minutes each day or week for journaling. It could be as simple as a quick sketch after breakfast or a longer session on weekends. The key is to make it part of your regular outdoor time without pressure.

> Overcoming Common Challenges

Don’t worry if your sketches aren’t perfect. Focus on the process, not the product. Bad weather or busy days can be tough; adapt your routine or keep a small journal in your bag. Remember, the goal is to enjoy nature, not produce perfect art.

> Connecting with a Community

Join local or online groups where people share their journals. Look for challenges or prompts to inspire you. Sharing your work can boost motivation, give new ideas, and make journaling even more enjoyable.

> Real-World Examples & Inspiration

There are countless inspiring stories of beginner naturalists or famous naturalists’ journals. John Muir’s detailed sketches and writings helped raise awareness about wilderness preservation. Today, many naturalists post their journals online, inspiring others to start. These examples show how simple observation can turn into a lifelong passion and contribution to nature.

To sketch in the wild is to slow down and build a relationship—not just with what you see, but with how you see it. Over time, you’ll notice more, remember more, and connect more deeply with the living world around you.

Your journal can hold both fact and feeling. Many nature writers, e.g. Beatrix Potter, beautifully balance observation with reflection.

This dual lens of science and spirit gives your writing depth and authenticity.

📓 Optional Practice: Keep a Running Log

In a section of your journal, try keeping a log of ongoing changes:

• What returns, disappears, or transforms?
• How does your internal state reflect the external world?

Over time, your words will reveal patterns in both place and self.

Conclusion: The Gift of Stillness

In a world filled with noise and speed, nature journalling invites us to pause. It is a quiet practice of observation, reflection, and expression — a way to slow down and notice the world around you and within you. “Seasons of Stillness” is more than a journalling method; it’s a mindset that welcomes peace, presence, and deep connection with the natural world.

Starting a nature journal opens the door to a more mindful, curious relationship with the outdoors. It’s an activity anyone can do — no special skills required. Begin small, be consistent, and let your journal reflect your unique perspective. Over time, you’ll notice your skills grow and your connection to nature deepen. Remember, this is your personal journey of discovery and creativity. Grab a notebook, head outside, and begin capturing the world around you.

Key Takeaways

- Nature journaling blends art, science, and mindfulness to build a stronger bond with the outdoors.
- A simple notebook and basic supplies are enough to get started.
- Regular practice boosts observation skills and fosters a sense of environmental care.
- Personal touches, patience, and fun are essential for a rewarding journaling experience.

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