The Healing Power of Words and Wilderness

Combining Writing and Nature for Well-being

I write about writing in nature a lot, about how doing so demands a slowing down. It’s a mindful act. And if there’s one thing therapists all agree on, mindfulness is part of the answer to many mental wellness woes.

When immersed in the natural world, the immediacy of the environment beckons us to pause. The rustle of leaves in the wind, the trickling chirp of birds in the early morning—a sensory tapestry that captures attention. We notice these sounds and smells and sights, we take inventory of them. We quiet. Then, we can turn in on ourselves, honour the calm, the anxiety, the need to move.

Writing outdoors shifts our perspective. The act itself becomes a form of meditation, where thoughts can flow as freely as a nearby stream. Each breath taken amidst nature fosters a deeper connection to yourself, your writing, and surroundings. Let the words spill onto the page. Follow them wherever they lead.

Nature and nature writing encourage a retreat from digital distractions. And, oh, aren’t there enough of those! Here, sitting at the base of an old fraser fir, a sense of presence may overcome you, a rootedness, if you will.

The practice of writing in nature and with nature nurtures not just creativity but also mental well-being. As the mind settles, it becomes more receptive. Writing outdoors is not just about putting pen to paper but about engaging with the world in a way that nourishes both the mind and spirit.

Go wild.