At Coastside Leadership Academy we are always creating new ways for our students to connect with the nature around them. The Coastside is our classroom, and while we explore the landscape around us, sometimes we notice that even though our students are out in nature, it is hard for them to feel a part of it. For example, while hiking, it can be easy to get lost in conversation and miss the scenery. This week, we talked about how it is normal for our thoughts to circle around people, relationships, and our daily interactions. These thoughts can be energizing or fulfilling, but sometimes constantly thinking about other people or ourselves can feel like a rollercoaster. When this happens, it is good to have tools to know how to set this emotional labor aside. One tool is interacting with nature and we practiced this skill during one of our mindfulness blocks.
To practice we created a nature sit-spot-shuffle and reflection. We assigned students the elements earth, fire, water, and air to use as inspiration. Each student got to choose a sit spot for the group to interact with the element in and also come up with a prompt to create with. We gave students time to draw, write, paint, or create something while focusing on nature. As an example, our student who was assigned “air” chose to sit under the trees and gave the prompt “draw or write about the sensation of air going into your lungs”. This prompt gave everyone the freedom to connect with air in their own way, but was specific enough to be a guide if someone felt unsure. The bonus was practicing breathing!
We took an hour to do this mindfulness activity, spending about 10 minutes in each sit spot creating, and 5 minutes walking to a new location. It was a good balance of movement around the forest, silent reflection, and creation. After shuffling to all four locations, each group member shared one of their element creations. It was amazing how different everyone’s interpretations were! A student drew candles burning while sitting in the sun for fire, and another designed a nautical font while listening to the ocean for water. Their nature inspired creativity was beautiful.
I loved seeing our students’ creations, and one of the best parts of the sit-spot-shuffle and reflection was seeing their faces relax in the process. Peace and calm came over them as they took a break from their daily worries as teenagers to be present in nature. One student even smiled the entire time because she was enjoying herself so much.
Joy, curiosity, and growth in nature is central to our mission at CLA and this activity is the balance we aim to help our students feel. Nature school is giving them time and space for introspection. Introspection leads to self awareness, and my hope is that if they are ever feeling consumed by their thoughts in the future, they will know how to come back to themselves by spending time reflecting in nature.