As the coronavirus unfolded across the globe I decided to create a nature journal to document how embracing the seasons at home can really support wellbeing—an alternative diary of good news and ordinary beauty that keeps things simple and helps me focus on nature-inspired and soothing art.
A Special Journal
The concept of my nature journal is simple, like nature itself: each day, nature offers me something to put in my journal; it can be anything that I just find outside or that friends give me. For my nature journal I chose a beautiful notebook given to me for my birthday. Bound by hand, the rich sheets of handmade paper have lots of visible fibers. It has the most satisfying texture and a very interactive cover. It really is perfect for the task!
I made the choice not to include words as I think the little treasures really speak for themselves.
Finding Treasures
We don't need to look too far to collect treasures. I never go that far myself! I am very lucky to live in the country, so that there is an abundance of little gems right on my doorstep. But I remember even when I lived in the middle of a big city, it was always easy to collect little treasures. I have collected such things and made displays with them for as long as I can remember and wherever I have lived.
Embracing the Seasons at Home
Many people believe that there is nothing to see or find in the winter. On the contrary, winter is free of weeds and lush greenery, so the ground is clear for finding very interesting things indeed, and the very strong gales that we get in that season often bring unexpected treasures right to our doors!
As spring unfolds, it is a delight to find so many treasures daily. That's fine, I have a special dish for them to wait and be stuck in the book. If I find a lot of flowers and want to preserve them, it's ok to paste them all in the book that day. There are no rules, the point is to enjoy the project as much as we want to!
Permission to Notice
I have always noticed many things in my environment, and from childhood I have enjoyed the mini worlds that I see everywhere in nature.
As I started collecting for my book, I realised I was becoming even more observant, on the lookout for tiny pieces to feature in my journal, noticing things I had never seen before—for example those little pink and nacre seeds (or they might be something else) which look just like precious beads. You can catch a glimpse of them in the photo above. And what about that tiny little shell next to them? That was such a great find!
Enjoying the Nature Journal
It's really special to look through the nature journal and see a summary of the last few months: a summary of gratitude to nature, of noticing certain things, prioritising what helps me and delights my senses—everyday simplicity and joy reminding me of what is most dear and supportive, reminding me of everchanging things and ephemeral beauty, treasured memories, colours and textures, like a dream that I can hold in my hands, evocative of so many moments suspended and preserved in time.
I used waterproof wood glue to stick the treasures in the book because it dries clear and stays supple, ensuring that the delicate pieces will not break and will be preserved in time. This useful substance also means I can encase whole flower petals with minimum damage to their delicate structure.
Displaying the Nature Journal
As the book fills up, it is taking on a life of its own and actually standing up by itself. A very dear person in my life suggested that it would make a splendid coffee table book.
As it stands and leaves open its gem-filled pages, we can see the treasures calling us from the paper. I really love that idea and truly enjoy its natural display daily. Not only is it a wonderfully interactive object to which I add daily, it has a real presence and is an exquisite gift to me, each day renewed and refreshed.
