30×30 Journal

Nature Challange Day 0 🎯

As of right now, I feel good about the challenge. I am excited to pursue this new journey given I have never intentionally spent time in nature for that long period. I am positive that this will take dedication and even challenges but I am most excited to see the results (whether physical or  psychological) after the challenge. I think it will be fairly easy for me given I try to get out and go for walks but the consistency part will be challenging. 

My current relationship with nature is fairly stable but not too attached or disconnected. There are even times like in winter where I feel so disconnected given the extreme cold but overall, I enjoy being around it. Some of the personal goals I have in the challenge is 1. Working on consistency, I know there are days I will miss but I wanna attend 90-95% of all the days in nature. 2. I will also be consistent with journaling. Even if I miss a day, I will still journal regardless. 3. While in nature, I will work on breathing exercises and fully immerse myself in the experience.
Most days, I will be by myself and explore and enjoy nature but 10% of the total experience will be spent with friends, perhaps even exploring and interacting with each other’s relationships with nature. Regarding technology use, I want to be realistic and therefore, carry a mobile phone with me given i dont feel very comfortable in nature by myself, especially on dark and cold days. Secondly, while I am out in nature, I will not at all check social media, an application I visit the most on my phone. Blocking that would make an immediate difference, and lastly, I would use technology on the days to either uplift my mood, avoid noise, or to listen to self help podcasts- something I have been enjoying lately!

Nature Challenge Day 1 🌦

Today was my first day of nature challenge and surprisingly, it did not feel as “climatic” as I thought it would be. I, for some reason, assumed this challenge marks a new beginning but it felt just like another day and the transition was very smooth. Maybe I should stop thinking of this as a grand new challenge but a progress to incorporate nature/outdoor habits in my normal life. I had to push myself to get out of bed this morning. It was unfortunately a gloomy morning when I stepped out and I went back to grab a rain jacket. It was so enticing to just stay in and finish some assignment before breakfast and then get ready for the day but I told myself, I have to stay committed. It is funny how this simple act of morning walk felt as difficult as forcing myself to go to gym but I did not give up. I did take my phone and my headphones on the walk but it was too stimulating as I was hearing raindrops on my jacket, the humidity, sense of rush and the music in my airpods. I just decided to take it off. Walking without music for the first time intentionally felt so awkward as if everyone was watching me. I felt exposed even though there was no one around. I noticed how self consumed I was and almost forgot this walk about nature and outdoors, a sign I actually need to get off my device and feel comfortable without devices. Good thing, rain did not allow me to check phones often so I just paced around and could slowly smell the earth and the rain. The air was filled with moisture which I did not like but the fog was really beautiful and looked cozy. The weather remained the same that day and when I was indoors, I enjoyed the “coziness”, the leaves collecting rain, the claiming sounds of water, the clouds and a beam of sun ray in between. But when I was outside during my walk, I remember feeling “incapable” of enjoying but rather wanting to go in. This was a sign that I am still an amateur when it comes to appreciating nature and the lack of its exposure allowed me to appreciate it only from a distance. From my very first day, I discovered another goal from this challenge…

Nature Challange Day 8🌲

As the leaves here in Vermont are slowly changing colors and the air is getting chillier, it is exciting to see a different version of myself. Someone, who is more intentional with being in nature, observing her surroundings and appreciating it. I spent the last three years of my college or maybe most of my time not appreciating what I was surrounded by other than capturing a few sunsets and going on 5 min walk just to scroll through the entire time and return to the library for studying. As I am nearing the end of my experience at Middlebury, being a senior has made me an “intentional person”. It is an overwhelming experience as I have made many goals, including appreciating Vermont’s nature for the one last time before dwelling in the city. 

The other day when I was going into the forest behind my residence, I decided to observe through the area instead of casually strolling through. I started smelling wet wood since it was raining the past week. I found a bridge under which looks like a now-dried-up creek which was so beautiful. I don’t know why, but I was so proud to be observant and to have experienced nature this way and so intentionally. Plus, every morning nowadays, I don’t always scroll, and I would say this challenge is making me more mindful.

Nature Challange Day 15 🍂📓
Today, my friend and I decided to share our nature experience. It was initially less of a nature trip, but I told her we will abstain from using our devices and try to connect and enjoy our surroundings. I already had a stressful week, so I wanted some time to chat for a bit and get off campus. So my friend and I went on what we called a mindless walk. 

It was a bright and early Sunday morning. I wanted to get off campus and decided to go towards our golf course and Middlebury trails. Having never properly hiked before or gone in the woods alone, it was nice to have company to share this experience with. That morning, I grabbed my overnight chia seed pudding and went on a mini hike. I remember the air was crisp and fresh while the campus was sleeping. It was the perfect time we could’ve ever had. 

We chatted most of the way and I don’t remember much of what we talked about, but I vividly remember how I felt then. I kept thinking, “I wish I had come here before”, and I recalled myself saying, “I love how the wind feels on my skin”. This year, fall was a bit delayed, and we were blessed with warmer days in September and October, which I had no complaints about as someone who grew up in the equatorial region. 

Nearing the end of our walk, my best friend and I did a little journaling or reflective exercise. It was a senior year bucket list challenge, where we reflect on our past few years at college and write a final bucket list of all the things we aspire to achieve individually. It was a very fun activity and a grounding practice. This experience made me think about how it is possible to ground yourself and centre inward, even with a friend, without always having to be alone. It felt good to have a friend join me in this challenge.

Nature Challange Day 22🌳☀️
We are almost nearing the end of this challenge, and I can confidently say that I have become much more conscious of my exposure to nature and also feel its “need” at times when I find myself scrolling or staying indoors. Today was one of those days when I didn’t find enough motivation to go to the gym or run, so I decided to walk across the golf course and through TAM. 

I did not have a morning class today, and I woke up well rested. On the days I have morning classes and a packed evening, I miss my daily commitment to the nature challenge. I am on my progress to avoid listening to music during this challenge, but I find it difficult, especially in areas near campus where there are cars, students and facilities mowing grass. As I pass the athletic centre, I usually try to take off my headphones, and I love hearing the sounds of trees, nature, and birds. There are a few families golfing, and I sat on the bench looking at the mountain and soaking up the sun, and I loved every second of my time there. Unlike my first few days, I find it easier to spend time alone in nature, and time goes much faster. In the first week, I recall getting anxious about spending my time in nature when I could be finishing my task and assignment, but now I have noticed how quickly 30 minutes goes by and I always long for my time to last. Another skill I have developed from this challenge is how I can forget/put thoughts regarding assignments and work towards, which is massive. I am excited to see how long I can continue this skill, but every day is not the same of course.