Nature Journaling in Public: Yikes!
Nature Journaling in public can be a daunting prospect for most of us. Planning a nature journaling trip to a museum, zoo, or aquarium sounds like a great idea! That is, until you get there — it’s crowded, and you’re now too nervous to get out your sketchbook. Today I’m sharing tips to help you get over your fear of nature journaling in public.
‘Fear is not a rational response to whatever challenges stare at us in life. And it is all in our mind, within us, and not anything external to us.‘
from Think Simple Now
Prepare Your Mind Before You Go
Before you head out remember, everyone else is usually busy doing THEIR thing as well. Look at how many people are texting or talking on their cell phones, chatting, talking with a friend, having lunch or tea or a drink in the pub, shopping, sightseeing, taking photos, or reading… most often they’re going on about their own business and won’t even notice that you’re nature journaling!
There are basically two strategies that we’re going to discuss: avoiding interactions with other people and how to handle situations when people approach you anyway.
Tips for Avoiding Interactions When Nature Journaling in Public
- Wear headphones or earbuds and make sure they can be seen from a distance! Most people are reluctant to approach someone who is listening to music. Of course, you don’t actually have to be plugged into anything! Just tuck the end of the cord into your pocket — they’ll never notice!
- Use a smallish hardbound sketchbook. It looks more like a written journal or diary and people won’t be as inclined to look over your shoulder.
- Don’t bring every art supply you own! That will definitely call attention to what you’re doing! Choose your favorite sketching tool: a pencil, pen, or brush marker should do.
- Look busy — concentrate. This may be the appropriate time to bring out your resting bitch face if you have it! People don’t often interrupt someone who looks totally engrossed in what they’re doing.
- Use the buddy system. Bring a friend, or join a group. You won’t be as nervous if you aren’t alone! Also people are less likely to approach a group of people involved in an activity.
Tips for Times When Someone Approaches You
In spite of your best efforst, there will ocassionally be someone who breaks through your defenses. Although these encounters will be few, it always helps to dispell that fear if you have a plan in place in advance.
- Relax and breathe! You are allowed to be a beginner — give yourself that permission. You can be an expert artist and an old hand at nature journaling, but new to dealing with people looking over your shoulder as you work. That is a learning process as well!
- Do your warm-up sketches in the car so you aren’t worried about doing those first few wonky sketches with an audience.
- In my experience, most encounters are positive. Remember that most people think that drawing is magic! If someone does approach you with a comment, say thank you for the feedback (whether positive or negative), then put your head down and get back to work. You will have acknowledged them politely and shown them clearly that the interaction is over and you’re getting back to work.
- Look at an encounter as an opportunity to be an ambassador for nature journaling! You are in love with nature or you wouldn’t be out here trying to capture it in your journal. Don’t be shy about sharing your passion!
Lastly, getting over that fear is just like exercising a muscle. The best way to get over the fear of nature journaling in public is to, . . . nature journal in public! Just get out there and do it!
Make sure to take a look at some of my favorite Nature Journaling tools.
