The best place to increase your awareness isn’t on the screen you’re staring at. You’ll gain some knowledge, but when it comes down to self-awareness, nature is the best choice.
But why do you need to increase your awareness? Without knowing yourself and the environment around you, you get lost. And when you feel lost, you become someone you don’t want to be.
You can get some temporary relief with fun activities in the same way that medicine does for headaches, but you need to understand the reason why you’re feeling that way. And nobody knows you better than you do, so it’s time to go inward. That’s where nature genuinely helps you.
In this article, you’ll find how nature can help you increase your awareness in 3 areas.
3 areas to increase your awareness
Nature can help you gain awareness through its beauty, seasonal and environmental changes, and most importantly by helping you look inside yourself. Now you know what the three areas are, let’s look into each one.
Natural Beauty
Whenever you connect with nature, its serene beauty is what you probably notice first. You see different colours from a distance that make you wonder. And when you get closer to investigate, you discover intricate shapes, textures, patterns etc. that simply WOW you.
As an example, I have a story to share. When I was walking on a trail, I saw a piece of blue plastic. Well, that’s what I thought. So I picked it up and found out it wasn’t garbage, it was a robin’s eggshell. A few steps away, I saw another one.
I went closer and I was puzzled, as you may feel looking at the next picture. It’s a slug trying to become a snail?!
Unfortunately, the modern, convenient lifestyle has been distancing us from nature so we often don’t notice things. How often do you get inspired by nature? Nature helps you slow down and increase your awareness to enjoy life.
Changes in Nature – increase your awareness
Whether it’s seasonal or environmental, you can recognize a change when you are out in nature.
Each season offers different colours, smells, sounds and much more. Your five senses are the best tools to notice a change. Even the same trail feels different in the dry and wet seasons with the sound of water or the smell of flowers.
You may also discover a change in the environment, which can give you a sense of climate change. During my weekly hike, I’ve seen more signs of dried-up creeks, fallen trees and landslides. Unless you go out in nature, you won’t be able to see what’s really happening in your area.
Nature allows you to notice changes. Some are beneficial, others may make you think and take action.
Looking Inward
Last but not least, nature helps you gain self-awareness. Once you start noticing its beauty and changes, that awareness can then be turned inward. More specifically, you can start to analyze the subconscious and physical changes you might have swept under the carpet to keep going.
So before you get burned out or start having self-doubt, turn inward and ask yourself some questions.
Sample Questions
Who would possibly know you better than yourself? Nobody! You may feel uncomfortable, to begin with, but nature accepts you for who you are without any judgement. Especially with the serenity nature provides, you can focus on your true and honest self.
- Who am I?
- How am I feeling?
- What am I afraid of?
- What made me feel…?
- Why do I believe…?
And yes, you’re the only one who can answer these questions. No Google search here! Be present with yourself and listen to the inner voice you’ve been ignoring.
Here’s an interesting article on nurturing yourself in nature. According to a study, spending 120 min per week can improve/maintain your mental health. Just to let you know it doesn’t have to be consecutive, so roughly 20 min a day will increase your health & wellness!
Nature encourages you to connect with yourself, and self-awareness is the key to happiness.
This process was how I overcame some of the challenges I’ve had in the mid-age transition. Throughout my motherhood journey, I lost my true self and tried to meet the expectations of others. I numbed my feelings for a long time until I realized how sad and lonely I was.
Like my childhood journey, nature helped me learn to become my true self. It’s really about allowing yourself to slow down and get to know yourself and your surroundings. I hope sharing my experience will help you find the courage to become the person you desire!
In conclusion, nature can help you increase your awareness and find happiness.
Now, it’s time for you to connect with nature for 20 min – go outside and be sure to notice your external (natural) and internal (emotional) environment. ❤️