Nature and Gratitude: A Journaling Practice for Mindful Living

Gratitude is a positive emotion that comes from appreciation and being thankful for the good things in your life; this can be felt when you feel admiration for someone or something leaving you with lasting sensations of happiness. There are many mental and physical health benefits that are connected to gratitude, and it can be incorporated into anyone’s life with practice!

Activities such as journaling can support your well-being and health in various ways, such as improving sleep and reducing anxiety. In my personal experience, writing frequently in a gratitude journal has elevated my mood and overall happiness. The practice of gratitude is not confined to journaling, there are many ways to practice it! Meditation, walking, expressing gratitude to others, are just a few examples if you want to see more visit AIA. In this blog I will be sharing some of my gratitude journal entries, how it has supported my well-being and health, and I will be offering some tips as to how you can get started.

Tips for a gratitude journal  

• Be specific and descriptive  
• Keep track of dates- I enjoy re-reading journal entries to remind me of the things I’m grateful for during tough times. 
• Be kind to yourself: There is no wrong or right way to do it, so don’t judge yourself. 
• Notice moments of appreciation no matter how big or small: not every entry must be related to a large event; we can feel gratitude just by sitting on our deck enjoying the sun or walking around your neighborhood.   
• Keep in mind it does not have to be a physical journal: if that isn’t your style, you can simply jot it down in a notes or journaling app. The more accessible your journal is, the more likely it is for you to continue the practice and build the habit. 

Below I will be sharing a few of my journal entries to inspire you to begin your own gratitude journal. As you will see from my entries below, many of the entries I make are appreciation for nature, being active, and quality time with friends, family, and pets. 

May 1st entry: 
Today’s weather was gorgeous; the sun shining, and I was lucky to spend most of my day outside soaking it in! In the afternoon me and my friend used her four-wheeler on the ATV trails at Killarney Lake. We then enjoyed walking in the woods and spending time together.  I know it’s going to be a great day when I’m able to do something I enjoy with a loved one. That night me and my friend rode my family’s electric and scooter to the green park by the Wolastoq River where we sat on a picnic blanket enjoying an ice cream treat and watching the beautiful sunset. I loved seeing everyone outside enjoying the weather as there were people walking, playing spike ball, or sitting and watching the sunset. We walked our bike and scooter with us while we walked along the gravel path by the water and saw the ducks swimming before returning to the trails and riding home with the cool wind in our face. Days like this remind me how fortunate I am to be able to be with nature and enjoy the offerings of Mother Earth. Being outside helps foster a reciprocal connection to the land and improves all aspects of my wellbeing.

May 2nd entry: 
Today I embarked on a drive to St. John along the way we enjoyed the sun and landscape as we made the commute. There, me and my friend hiked Split Rock Trail; this 4.1 km hike was full of beautiful views and various terrain from forest, field, to a rocky beach. This included scenic views from various lookouts along the trail, a downward trek down to the rocky beach where we enjoyed walking along the shore and breathing in the salty air. As we neared the end of the trail, we descended into the split rock and explored the insides of the dank rocks. I am extremely grateful for this unique experience and being able to come and explore the great outdoors. At the end of the trail, we enjoyed a picturesque lookout by the Lorneville lighthouse. Days like this, when I can spend time connecting to nature, exploring and enjoying the weather and world around me, make me feel so grateful and full of life. I am so excited to spend more time this summer outside with my friend’s family and pets. 

May 20th entry: 
Today I enjoyed the long weekend outside hiking which is one of my most favorite pass times. I picked up my friend and we drove to Welsford, New Brunswick. Here, we went on two amazing hikes. The first was at Welsford (where we hiked along the falls where it began as small rapids and falls). As we continued along the trails, the small waterfalls grew bigger and bigger until we reached the showstopper which was the 45-foot-tall falls. This was one of the best trails I’ve done; I was so thankful to be able to experience it with one of my closest friends. Our second hike was at Mount Douglas. It was 2.39 kilometers with an elevation gain of 165 meters.  As we made our way to the peak, I saw the enormous rock walls that reached towards the sky; it was just genuinely so stunning. The peak of the mountain was incredible, there was plenty of room to walk around and explore, but also room to sit and admire the view.  Although the climb was steep and we had many breaks, we persevered. I’m so proud of myself for accomplishing both of these hikes. I’m also so thankful to have a body at allows me to move and do things like this and to have such a beautiful world to explore.

May 24th entry: 
Today I had my lunch on my back deck by the water; I love eating my food somewhere outside especially in the warmer months. After I finished my lunch, I read a few pages of my book while keeping an eye on my dogs who were swimming and walking in the river. Reading or drawing outside are some of my favorite things to do in the summer as it is so peaceful and relaxing. After I finished reading my chapter, I joined them in the water as we all got to cool off and play fetch. I feel so fortunate to have such a beautiful spot in my backyard and for the earth. 

My journaling style incorporates many of the tips such as being descriptive and dating entries. I describe my experiences from beginning to end and I intentionally incorporate senses such as sight, smell, and touch as this stimulates my memory reading back. In addition to writing, I also attach a picture of two photos so I can savor the memory and keep it with me. To reiterate, this is what works for me, and I encourage you to write and journal in a way that is authentic to you.

Gratitude journaling can be deeply personal, but it’s also a great addition to your classroom routine and can even earn you EcoSchools points if combined with an action like having your students engage in a “sit spot”.  For high school-level English or writing classes, starting an eco-gratitude journal could be a great initiative as part of our Climate Action Project: Climate Justice program. Helping your students to start an eco-gratitude journal is an excellent way to inspire your students to get creative while supporting their mental health. Not every climate action needs to be amplified on a loudspeaker. Recognizing and caring for our own relationship with nature is a small yet powerful step towards making sustainability part of our everyday lives.

The team at The Gaia Project would love to see how you show gratitude to the Earth. If you decide to try this out, share it on social media and tag The Gaia Project for a chance to be featured on our social!

Author: Piper McCullough, Student Intern 

 

Follow us on social for more stories, news and updates:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gaiaproject
Instagram: @thegaiaproject_
Twitter: @gaiaproject
LinkedIn: @thegaiaproject-projetgaia
TikTok: @thegaiaproject_