Mindfulness in Nature

If you’ve watched my latest video, which you can find here, you’ll have seen me spending time outdoors and allowing myself to slow down.

There’s often a small moment of hesitation before doing that; the part of us that wonders whether it’s worth the effort, or whether staying where we are would be easier. And yet, without fail, choosing to step outside and be present leaves me feeling more grounded afterwards. It’s a reminder of how much we gain when we allow ourselves to pause.

Being present sounds simple, but in practice it can feel surprisingly elusive. So much of the time, our attention is pulled away from the moment we’re actually in. Thoughts drift back to the past, replaying conversations, regrets or situations we wish we could change. When this happens repeatedly, it can leave us feeling heavy, low, or emotionally drained.

At other times, the mind moves in the opposite direction, racing ahead into the future. We imagine what might happen, what could go wrong, or what we need to prepare for. This forward-looking pattern often brings tension and anxiety with it, fuelled by uncertainty and a sense of pressure.

When attention is gently brought back to the present moment, something often softens. The body has an opportunity to settle, and even if calm doesn’t arrive immediately, there's usually a little more space to breathe. This is one of the quiet benefits of mindfulness: it interrupts the constant movement of the mind and allows us to meet what’s here, rather than what was or what might be.

Nature provides a particularly supportive space for this kind of presence. Being outdoors naturally draws our attention into the world around us and engages our senses without effort. We might begin by noticing the wider landscape: the shape of the land, the quality of the light, the openness of the sky, or the way different elements come together.

From there, awareness can gently narrow to the smaller details we often overlook. The texture of stone or bark. The delicate structure of a flower. Patterns in leaves or branches, each one subtly different. Light moving across water. Small rhythms and movements that invite us to slow down and really look.

When we allow ourselves to notice in this way, the mind has less room to wander. Attention rests more easily in the present moment, not because we're forcing it to stay there, but because it feels supported. Past and future thoughts don’t need to be pushed away; they simply lose some of their pull.

This way of paying attention isn’t limited to time spent outdoors. It’s something we can return to in everyday life, whether we’re walking, sitting, or pausing between tasks. Mindfulness doesn’t require silence or perfect conditions. It begins with noticing what’s already here, without judgement.

I’ll be sharing another video soon that builds on this idea and explores mindfulness in a little more depth, looking at how it involves engaging all of the senses, such as hearing, smell and touch, and learning to experience them just as they are.

Thank you for taking this moment to pause with me. I wish you presence and calm for the rest of your day.