Nature & Mindfulness

It is a widely known fact that being out in nature is highly beneficial to mental health. In Japan, there is something known as “Forest Bathing” where people go out into the forest and just surround themselves with nature. This practice can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and other various ailments. My own doctor even advises me to turn to the natural world when I’m feeling overwhelmed. As gravel crunches underfoot, birds and insects sing their songs, and a scent of autumn fills my nose, I consider why nature is so calming. I wonder, what about being in nature can be this healing? The feeling of being at peace that washes over me as I watch the treetops sway in the breeze is rooted in the idea that all of this exists, whether I’m here or not. I feel so small compared to the tall trees and deep valleys around me, and it is extremely comforting. I truly believe that more people should turn to the natural world when dealing with things such as anxiety, depression, and daily stress. Turning towards a distraction (such as social media or other technology) when these feelings come up may provide temporary relief, but all we are really doing is pushing the negative feelings further inside of us, where they can grow and show themselves through various side effects. In order to find true relief from negative emotions, it is important to first recognize them, and then become more aware of how you let them influence you. This can be achieved through the practice of mindfulness, which is defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the creator of a program called mindfulness-based stress reduction, as: “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” The practice of mindfulness is much easier when you are surrounded by the natural world with far less distractions. Next time you are feelings overwhelmed by life, try going out to a quiet spot in the woods and just sitting with your thoughts and feelings. Let them exist as they are, and then simply let them go.

The Reality of College Housing

Although I love the cozy little apartment I share with my two friends, I truly miss living closer to nature.  Sitting on my back porch, I examine the world around me. My view is of other apartments, exactly like mine. There are occasional small trees and bushes, but it is mostly a landscape of cement and buildings. The most green I see is the little patches of grass along each apartment. My view of the sky is a small one; I only see a little patch when I look up. The horizon is blocked, and I miss the days of being able to watch the sun set all the way down. The sounds I hear are mostly human. Traffic, construction, and the occasional chatter from a group of friends are most common. If I get out to my deck early enough I can hear the birds chirping, but even then it is against the backdrop of manmade sounds. For someone who could easily spend hours just absorbing the natural world, this is quite the disappointment. Luckily, there are many beautiful places right around my house that I can visit, but the thing I miss most is just being able to go sit on my porch with a cup of coffee and start my day by observing the nature around me. For now, I will have to make due with the little slice of sky and the occasional passing bird.

My Love for Lake Michigan

As a child, every time I would visit my beloved grandmother in the small town of Empire, Michigan, she would take me to Lake Michigan to watch the sunset. The beach that we would visit was affectionately called “Grandma’s Beach”, and it was always my favorite part of the trip. She would sit on the beach with the adults as the grandchildren splashed and played in the big waves, living out the childhood dream of being free and having fun.

She would tell me the tales of the sleeping bear dunes, and even if I had them memorized, the way she told the stories would have me mesmerized. I loved nothing more than to dig my toes in the sand as her soft voice told the stories of the mother and baby bears. When the sun would start to set, we would dry off and bundle up in sweatpants and big blankets. She would talk about the wonders of the universe, and the beauty of the colorful sunsets was a perfect backdrop for her words of wisdom.

I fell head over heels in love with the gorgeous power of Lake Michigan. I associated lakes and water with wonderful things, mainly my grandma. I learned to be still in nature and just take in the power of all of the things that exist in the natural world. It is oddly comforting to be surrounded by things that exist whether you are there or not.

Even after my grandma passed away six years ago, I visit that beach every time I am in the area. The moment I step on that shoreline memories come flooding back, just like the waves that flow towards the beach. Lake Michigan is not only a beautiful place to visit for me, it is where I learned a lot about appreciating the beauty in life and nature. My relationship with Lake Michigan is also a symbol of love and family, and I sometimes wonder if my wise grandmother knew just how important those beach trips would become to me. Something inside me says she most definitely did. 

A Walk in The Ravines

As soon as I entered the small clearing, I was transported to a whole new world. The grassy, open field was replaced with a wooded wonderland. In front of me, a small, beaten path that led as far as my eyes could see. Ahead of me was what looked like a natural archway, where trees had curled over and provided even more cover from the outside world.

The hike started downhill, and I had to carefully watch my step because the ground was slightly uneven and random roots stuck out haphazardly. For anyone else this may not be a huge problem, but my feet are notorious for finding a flat surface to trip over. My trusty travel companion, my boyfriend Jon, knows this all too well, and made sure to warn me of anything that he deemed not “Emma-proof”. We make it a point to go out in the Ravines frequently, and either just walk around or set up a hammock and just be in nature. He understood that this trip in particular was for class and that I needed some time to be quiet in nature, but I didn't see that as an issue because he usually ends up taking a small nap once the hammock goes up.

The path took us to a tiny creek with only one way to cross: a fairly rickety-looking slab of something that served as a bridge. Once we safely crossed, we were faced with a looming, not very “Emma-proof” looking hill. Slowly but surely we made it up, but not without a few close calls and stops to catch our breath. It was so worth it though, standing on the crest and looking out through the tops of the trees took my breath away, and not because I was out of shape.

We walked a little farther until we found two sturdy trees at a good distance apart to set up the hammock. As I predicted, a few minutes in Jon fell silent and his breathing deepened. I also closed my eyes, but made myself aware of every sound I heard. Birds singing, trees shifting in the wind, and the soft echo of the river filled my ears. A few minutes in, I was startled to hear the Clock Tower chiming in the distance. I began to really look at what was around me. There is something unexplainably calming about being surrounded by tall trees and feeling very small yourself. I think it is because no matter what your worries are, they also seem small in comparison when you look around, and as far as your eyes can see is the greatness of the natural world. 

The Place I Live

I have lived in a few places in my life, but the place that has shaped me the most would have to be Grand Valley. Living near a college campus has been an interesting experience because it is the first time I have been living on my own, and there are so many different people from different backgrounds compared to my home town. For me, moving away to college was the scariest yet most exciting adventure I have ever been on.

The first thing I have learned about on this journey is the idea of being independent. Granted, I still talk to my parents nearly every day and they are still a huge part of my life, but this was the first time that I didn't have someone always making sure I was taking care of myself, going to class, and other things that come with living at home. When I moved from the dorms to my first apartment, it was a bit of a shock when I was the one paying for rent and utilities, and handling adult things like doctors appointments, groceries, and my student loans. It was utterly terrifying, yet somehow exhilarating, becoming more in charge of my life.

Another thing that this place has taught me is how to adapt to new circumstances while staying true to myself. Being around so many new people is exciting, but it is also overwhelming. When I start to feel like too much is going on or I have too much on my plate, my favorite place to be is out in nature. On campus, the Arboretum is my favorite little spot to slip away in between classes to just be still. I love finding a bench out in the wooded area and just surrounding myself with nature. 

Living in a college community is like the stepping stone to independence. It has made me think about my place in the world, surrounded by so many new people and exciting opportunities. Like many other college students, I have watched myself step out of my comfort zone in many ways, and I am thankful for the chance to start to really discover who I am.

Welcome Post!

Hello!

My name is Emma, and welcome to my nature blog! This blog is a semester-long project for my Literature and the Environment class at Grand Valley. I will be using it as a tool for observing the natural world around me. My initial reaction was one of excitement and a kind of relief, because I have been wanting to start blogging for ages, and now I have no excuse! I am currently in my Junior year, and I am working towards a degree in Writing with a minor in Environmental Science. I was inspired to study this combination after reading “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson in my senior year of high school. I knew I wanted to be a writer from a young age and I was raised to be extremely conscious of the environment, but I never knew these two passions could be combined until I read Carson’s work. My main goal is to become a freelance writer who specializes on topics of environmental concern. 

Stay tuned for my first adventures in blogging, as I work on becoming more aware of the natural world around me!