Observing nature from the same spot every day can strengthen your connection with the outdoors.
A bench in the park, on the balcony, a sunny back step, or beachside lookout… If you have a favourite outdoor place from where you like to watch the world go by, then you already know how special a sit spot can be. From your chosen lookout, you’re building a relationship with place – getting to know the trees and the birds, the plants, and maybe even the insects.
MIND THE GAP
As you get older, you might begin to lose this bond with the outside world. Research from the University of Derby shows that ‘after the age of nine, levels of nature connection drop dramatically and do not
recover for 20 years’. The same report talks about how three of the most important issues facing the planet today – wellbeing, wildlife protection, and environmental action – all ‘have one thing at their heart: the relationship between people and nature’. Setting up a sit spot (see panel overleaf) can help to maintain your connection with nature. But you might be wondering what exactly is meant by the term. Simply put, it’s a place you choose to sit in on a regular basis to observe the natural world.
ANCIENT ROOTS
‘Being in the sit spot is a bit like a meditation,’ says permaculture expert and teacher, Peter. ‘It’s about getting out of the busy mind and into the senses and another state of being. It brings relaxation and is also a wonderful way to connect with the life around you.’ He believes that the practice is inspired by certain ancient cultures, where deep connection with the natural world was fundamental.
REGULAR GROWTH
The secret to harnessing the power of the sit spot is to make spending moments in your chosen place part of your routine. Peter suggests turning it into a daily practice, if possible: ‘Over time, you’ll begin to notice much more – the weather patterns, the gradual changes of the seasons, or how the birds behave when spring comes in.’
ART OF CONNECTION
Peter continues: ‘If you look at the same tree day in and day out, and watch how it changes over a year, then it’s a really deep connective experience that helps you to understand the tree and the patterns it goes through– and how that reflects in your life. By tuning in to nature, we can remember that we are a part of nature.’
SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE
Even though spending time in your sit spot is a solitary activity, it can help you to make sense of your time with the land and nature if you talk through what you’ve seen or noticed with a friend or family member. They might ask questions or have observations from their own experience that allow you to return to your sit spot with a new perspective. Another way to do this for yourself is to start a nature journal, where you can record everything you’ve noticed each day. Jot down any birds you see, which flowers are out and what the weather’s like. Don’t worry if you don’t know the names of everything – you can sketch or describe them instead.
BECOMING ONE WITH NATURE
It’s clear that in the modern world there’s a need for people to find ways to connect with nature. Spending time in your own sit spot is a simple yet potent way to do it. For Peter, the benefits are clear: ‘I know intellectually
and emotionally we’re totally reliant on the world around us and we need to look after it,’ he says. ‘The more we understand it, the more we value it. And the more we connect with it, the more we’re going to do that.’
HOW TO SET UP A SIT SPOT
FIND SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO HOME.
The farther away the spot is, the less likely you are to go. There’s no perfect place, just a place that’s perfect to you. Sitting in a wildlife reserve would be ideal, but that’s not realistic. Instead, choose a seat in a garden, on a balcony, or at your local park.
IF NOT, STAY AT HOME.
Make a space by an open window if it isn’t practical to pick an outside spot. It’s still possible to identify and name the plants, trees, and flowers as you get to know them from indoors.
COMMIT TO THE ROUTINE.
The only way to fully appreciate the benefits of this practice is to make a commitment to it and show up. Try to stick to your plan for at least a week or two so you can see the difference it makes.
APPROACH WITH CARE.
If your chosen place is outside, be sure not to disturb surrounding wildlife or other people enjoying the outdoors. And, of course, make sure you leave the spot as you found it.
ENGAGE ALL YOUR SENSES.
Tuning in to your senses will enable you to develop your awareness of the local environment. Listen for the birds, touch the grass if it’s in reach, watch the changing sky, smell the air.
This story was originally published in Teen Breathe issue 35 with the title: Window to the world
