Create a Nature Journaling Sit-Spot at Home
Creating a sit-spot at home is not only easy, but also a fun and engaging way to connect with the nature in your own yard or garden.
What is a Sit-Spot?
A sit-spot is a place that you can visit often and at all seasons of the year. It’s a place where you can just relax and ‘be’. It can be a quiet, zen spot or a dynamic and engaging place — or sometimes both. Visiting this spot year ‘round can take you nature journaling practice to new levels.
Nature Journaling in one consistent spot throughout the year, kind of forces you to be more observant. Too often, we become sort of blind to the things that we see every day. You know, like when you pass by that chair in your bedroom that’s filled with clothes — and you just don’t see it anymore?!
Why You Need a Sit-Spot at Home
I believe we can all benefit from having a sit-spot at home. There are several reasons I can think of:
- Life happens. The past year and the pandemic has certainly shown us that the completely unexpected can come upon us at any time! I was fortunate enough to have a couple of good spots in my yard to use.
- The need to care for loved ones. Whether you’re looking after an ill or aging relative or taking care of kids, having a convenient spot to sit and connect with nature is a real life-saver for your mental health. Bonus, if your charges are able to sit with you, it’s good for them also!
- You may become temporarily incapacitated yourself, whether after a surgery or injury.
Having a sit-spot where you are ensures that you have a constant connection with the nature around you, whether you keep a nature journal or not.
Creating Your Own Personal Spot
First you need to decide what kind of sit-spot you want to create. Are you most interested in plants? Do you want lots of colorful flowering bushes. What about wildlife? Would you like to attract birds and squirrels to your spot? What about bees and butterflies? Do you want it in a secluded area of your property, or close to windows so that you can nature journal in inclement weather?
Once you’ve answered all of those questions, the fun begins!
If you want to attract birds and squirrels you’ll need:
- Nearby bushes and trees to provide shelter and protection from predators.
- Unless you’re looking to attract just specific birds, you’ll probably want to provide a couple of different types of feeders; one for loose seed and a suet feeder. If you live in an area with hummingbirds, you can also add a liquid hummingbird feeder.
- Having a water supply of some type nearby will encourage the birds and squirrels to hang out in your yard for longer periods of time. It can be just a shallow bowl of water is also a great addition.
My spot for creating the new ‘sit-spot’. It has great ‘bones’, including a bush for small birds to hide from predators. That fire-pit will become a small water-feature, further creating attraction for small birds, butterflies, and bees. Plants for Your New Sit-Spot
If you’re new to gardening, make sure you know a few things about your chosen spot before you go shopping for plants — avoid costly and disappointing results!!
- Know what your plant growing zone is. Check the appropriate map for your area; in the U.S,. in Europe, and in Australia
- Know approximately how many hours of shade and sun your spot gets each day. Pick a relatively sunny day. Go outside once every hour to check — don’t guess! Remember to think about trees when they are in full leaf — it may be sunny in winter, but completely in shade in the spring, summer, and fall. A plant that gets either way too much or way too little sun will never thrive!
- Know if your chosen spot is extra dry, extra wet, or somewhere in between
If you need more help choosing plants, I highly recommend that you visit your local garden center. The staff will be able to help you select the right plants for the spot you’ve chosen. Their expertise is worth its weight in gold and can save you time, money, and headaches down the line.
Now, . . . Sit and Create Your Nature Journal Pages!
Planning, planting, maintaining, and observing through the seasons really helps connect you to your sit-spot in a meaningful way. There’s just something magical about planting and watching it grow and change. Putting fresh feed out for birds and squirrels can also help you make that connection as well.
Creating your very own sit-spot in your yard or garden, even if it’s just a small pot of flowers or a tiny balcony or patio, will give you so many opportunities to Nature Journal from the comfort of your own home.
Follow along with me as I add to my own sit-spot at my new home. I’ll be posting monthly updates in my newsletter. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at the bottom of the page.
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