I recently took a camping road trip to a few South African nature reserves in the Eastern Cape. I took my notebook with me but did not know if I would actually get around to making any pages; I know, thinking myself out of a good time before I even start!
I divided my A5 page up into four blocks - they are quite small when you think about their size; so not intimidating at all. I surprised myself by filling in a block for each reserve. I noted down a special bird spotted, a quick note on any specific vegetation that I had seen, and one or two other things as well. Before I knew it, I had created a block for each of the nature reserves I was visiting and the note taking would assist me later when I work in my “neat” sketchbook, the one that I do not mind showing off to interested parties.
Nature journaling to me might not look like everyone else’s nature journaling. I pick up my camera before I tackle the notebook. I do so to start capturing images I know will help me remember for sketching later. I prefer to sketch when I am home. Then I can take my time to think about how I will layout my page.
That white page in my notebook can be intimidating - is the information I’m jotting down really worthy of taking note of, is it important?
Besides the blank page, another stumbling block I find is wanting to indulge my need to produce a “perfect” sketchbook entry. I have the small A5 book for note taking and rough work, but I also have the larger A4 size sketchbook where I have decided no rough work will see the light of day; only perfect layouts. Rough work is important, it is the quick note taking that will trigger memories or indicate where I would like to do some more homework and read up about what I noted.
Nature journaling is about discovery, curiosity and to practise your skills. Taking time out of your day to focus on nature journaling will only benefit you; you might just surprise yourself too.
So some lessons learnt:
Take the notebook even if you think you might not use it.
Divide up that intimidating blank page.
Jot down what occurs to you to record, do not overthink how important it is.
Rough work is important.
To read more about finding your purpose: https://www.sanaturejournalerscommunity.com/find-your-purpose
or approaches to nature journaling
Tips on Learning and Teaching in the Field https://www.sanaturejournalerscommunity.com/languages
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