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How to Use a Nature Journal for Deeper Connection with Nature
Having a strong connection to nature is crucial for our health. Spending time in nature is one of the most therapeutic activities you can do for your body, mind, and soul. But without structure, those moments can slip away. Using a nature journal gives you a guided way to slow down and record your experiences. In this article, you’ll learn why nature journaling matters, how it works, and practical ways to use it into your daily life.
What Is a Nature Journal?
A nature journal is designed to be used regularly to track time spent outdoors. A good nature journal should include weekly trackers, sketch pages, activity ideas, and prompts to help guide those who are beginners to this type of activity or journaling.
A Few Tips to Make the Most of It
- Keep it visible and handy. Leave it open on your desk or clipboard by the door to encourage spontaneous note-taking.
- Pair with a habit. Try journaling right after your morning coffee, or before bedtime. By timing it consistently with a routine, it will become part of your routine easily. (Learn more about the importance of daily routines.)
Why Is Nature Journaling So Important?
A nature journal turns casual nature outings into intentional, reflective practice. With structured tracking, meaningful prompts, and creative freedom, it supports well-being in mind and body. It’s perfect for nature lovers or anyone seeking more mindfulness in their daily lives.
- Nature journaling increases mindfulness and observation. Recording what you see, hear, and smell helps deepen your connection to nature.
- It encourages consistency. Trackers and planner pages keep you motivated (this is why most of the products that I create and sell in my Etsy shop include these!)
- It blends creativity and wellness. Using a nature journal combines creative activities and self expression with healing in nature.
Get Started With Nature Journaling Within Minutes
This printable nature workbook will give you a fun way to connect to nature. It’s a journal, planner, tracker, and activity book all in one! It’s much more affordable than a physical journal, and you can download it instantly and get started within minutes!
What’s included:
✅ Cover page for your binder
✅ Weekly nature tracker- Track how much time you spent in nature each day of the week, and track which outdoor activities you did that week
✅ Yearly nature tracker- Track how much time you spent in nature for a full year all on one page
✅ 2 journal prompt pages; one with questions, one to record observations such as weather, nearby animals, nearby water, 5 senses observations, etc.
✅ One page for nature sketching to draw your view or a nearby object
✅ Weekly outdoor activity planner page
✅ Monthly outdoor activity planner page (set up like an undated calendar)
✅ 4 pages of nature-inspired cards/stickers- 16 total, 4 on each page. These give ideas for things to do in nature and can be printed either on regular paper, sticker paper, or cardstock (if your printer is able to print on thicker paper). These can be put in a frame, used as stickers for your journal or planner, or used as inspirational cards to help you stay motivated to spend time in nature.
