Journal Entry #8 — Sound Mapping In Nature Journaling

This week the weather has been consistently sunny. Full sun hits the patio for only 2 hours during the day right now, 11 am to 1 pm, so that’s my time to get some sun on my skin (Vitamin D, yeah!), journal, and focus on awareness of the environment around me.

Sound Mapping

I learned a new skill through the International Nature Journaling Week group on Facebook—make a sound map! You settle into your sit spot with your journal or sketchbook. Turn to a blank page and put a dot or stick figure in the middle for where you are in your setting. Then just listen.

Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear?

Now, you want to mark it on your page. You can make up your own symbols for the sounds and then put a label by them. So if you hear a crow, you could put a small x or dot and label crow. For birds you don’t know, just put the pattern of the call how it sounds and label it “bird”. There are videos below I found that show you how to make these maps. 

Make a Sound Map! – A Nature Journal Activity

When you hear a bird, can you pinpoint what branch he’s on and can you spot him? What’s the closest sound to you? What’s the sound furthest away?

Doing this sound mapping exercise helps me focus on the skill of listening to my surroundings and building awareness of what is going on around me. 

Increase Focus and Concentration

It also increases my level of attention, that the use of smartphones seems to have dulled. They now say we all have the attention spans of a goldfish, which is about 8 seconds. That’s not good when you need to be aware of your environment, whether you are hiking on the trail or walking across a parking lot. 

Now when I am outside (or even inside) my attention is more focused on the sounds around me. How far out? Which tree? Who is it? Is it an alarm call? What is happening?

Alaska Sketchbook: Creating a sound map in a nature journal.mp

This sound mapping exercise reminds me of a moving meditation, except instead of walking, I’m using my ears and brain to focus, concentrate and put aside the incessant monkey mind chatter that can sometimes clog up your day. I also feel pleasantly tired after and feel rested.

Try a sound map the next time you are outside and comment below what you are noticing and hearing and how your focus and concentration improves!

Comment and Subscribe!

What new things have you noticed this week? Tell me in the comments below! And be sure to subscribe to the newsletter.