Well here we are at the final post in the “Nature Journaling is LEARNING” series. And for this post, we are going to go back to heart – or maybe the root – and talk about Nature Journaling as we grow.

G is for Grow

I have struggled for a long time with my fixed mindset in various areas. For years, I didn’t think I was good at math, only to end up a math teacher. But my number one area that I struggled with was in creating things – especially art. I was hesitant to show what I was doing because I was self-conscious of how my art wasn’t the same as other people who shared their’s. I felt like what I created wasn’t good enough.

But it was opening myself to new forms of art that actually helped me become more comfortable. The world of sketchnoting opened my eyes to a focus on using visuals to capture ideas in new ways, while being less focused on “perfection” and more on helping me capture a learning experience. Shortly after that, I was introduced to the nature journaling community and was thrilled to start learning to draw and write and collect data to track my journey.

Pencil Miles

In Nature Journaling, a popular topic of discussion is the idea of pencil miles. In order to grow as a journaler, you have to practice. And every amount of practice makes a difference – whether it is 2 hours or 5 minutes. Sometimes, you only have a few moments to quickly catch general notes about something you observed before it moves on, while other aspects of your nature nook can be revisited over and over again.

Along the way, something funny happens. The more time you spend drawing or writing, the more comfortable you become. You are better able to notice and capture certain details because you have taken the time to really notice things. To spend time getting to know and love the world around you. This is where the growth happens. And in a journal, you can look back and see the progress, which is something I enjoy doing from time to time.

This does not mean that you won’t have “off days”. You absolutely will. You will still have times where the shape isn’t quite right or you make a pen stroke that is a bit heavy-handed. But growth allows us to learn from those moments too – whether it is trying out new media or finding joy in the process.

Community is Key

For those who are brand new to the Nature Journal community – welcome! I’m excited that you are beginning this journey and hope you will enjoy the ride. One more recommendation I have is to find a community. For some, this may be in-person at a Nature Journal Club hosted in a local school, library, or other community center. For others, online spaces may be more accessible. If you are looking for places to connect with others, I would recommend checking out the Wild Wonder Community Calendar for great options (there’s even one group called “Pencil Miles and Chill” that is a practice space).

Joining a community is a vulnerable step. We put ourselves and what we are creating out there in the world. But the joys of learning from and connecting with others is worth it. I have had the chance to see new approaches I never would have considered – many of which have been mentioned in these posts – because of these communities. Seeing the world through other people’s eyes gives a perspective we otherwise would never have had – and they benefit from learning from us too. So jump in and find a space where you can grow with others.

Challenge: Pencil Miles

The challenge for this post is to get those pencil miles in. Whether it is 5 minutes during a lunch break or half an hour on a day off, grab your journal, something to write with, and find something interesting. Try different strategies – like a quick sketch to capture rough shapes or really zooming in to notice the details. Play with lines or color or different forms of writing and numbers. All of it is growth…every pencil mile changes us…shapes us as nature journalers…as naturalists…as humans. May your journey be full of joy, discovery, and growth.

Cheers and happy exploring!
Kirsten, the NW Naturalist