Sweet Summer

“The perfect moment is this one."

- Jon Kabat Zinn

If you’re like me, you probably crave calm, quiet, connected moments. Journaling in nature is a great way to cultivate these moments. I invite you to slow down this summer, finding spaces and habits that support this intention.

Choose one location that you will visit throughout the summer, and even into the change of season. Repeat visits will bring a sense of familiarity and comfort and offer you the chance to notice the changes over the course of the season. I’m going to get a membership to The Gardens on Anderton. They have a meditation garden, a rose garden, a bee hive, a pond and a labyrinth. Heavenly!

Get a small kit of art supplies ready. Choose one small journal that you can record your thoughts and drawings or paintings in. You can use whatever journal feels good in your hands - a soft cover, hard cover or spiral bound book. You’ll also need a pencil, small selection of pens for writing and drawing, a travel paint set and small brushes. Don’t forget a water cup! Tuck your favourite supplies into a zippered purse, or kit bag. You can buy specialty ones or go pick something up from a second hand store.

Nourish yourself. Bring a herbal iced tea, some healthy snacks (or a treat!), a sun hat and sunglasses so you can see what you’re doing, and a small blanket or pillow to sit on so that you're super comfy while creating. Make a date with your own heart and soul.

But what should I put on that blank page??? Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be! This is about having an enriching experience, a connection to the land and your hear - it's not the time for making masterpieces.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. sketch a thumbnail of the scene in front of you

2. draw an object (eg. a flower) in 30 seconds, 1 min, 3 min

3. free write on a topic

4. list the feelings that are present in you right now

5. record sounds using words or imagery

6. take a flower or a pine cone apart and draw the shapes

7. record the location, date and time of day

8. lay on your back and look up - draw what you see

9. lay on your belly and look down - find something teensy to draw

10. paint swatches of all the colours you find in a single object