Start the New Year with Nature: A Personal Challenge to Reconnect

In this episode, we explore how to make nature a central theme in your life this year. Whether you're a curious beginner or someone who already enjoys the outdoors, this episode offers a fresh perspective on using January as a launchpad for a meaningful and cumulative journey through the natural world. It’s not about mastering everything at once but about starting with one small, meaningful area of interest and allowing that spark to grow over time. From birds and trees to weather patterns and constellations, there’s something for everyone—right outside your front door.

Top Topics:

The Power of Starting Small

Starting a nature practice doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether it's identifying one bird, learning one tree species, or tracking a few cloud types, the key is consistency. You don't need a journal or a checklist. You just need curiosity and a willingness to notice.

Building Cumulative Knowledge

One of the most encouraging things about getting into nature is how your knowledge naturally builds. You start with a robin or a maple tree, and before you know it, you're noticing migration patterns, seasonal changes, or even rare species in your area. Every year can bring deeper understanding if you start with something that truly sparks your interest.

Personal Nature Journeys

From birding to weather tracking, to constellations and mosses—examples from personal experience and friends show how diverse and rewarding nature interests can be. Some start with birdwatching, others get hooked on clouds or water systems. Once you're in, it's easy to expand.

Resources to Support Your Exploration

A wide range of tools and websites are recommended—from the Cornell Lab’s bird quizzes to the Seek app for identifying plants and bugs. Astronomy lovers can try apps like Sky Tonight or Stellarium. Those interested in weather and water systems are guided to the National Weather Service or the USGS Water Science School.

Takeaways:

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to choose just one piece of the natural world to focus on this year. It’s about making nature part of your daily life—not through obligation, but through genuine interest. Start with what calls to you. That could be a single bird, a type of tree, or the patterns in the clouds. Let that initial interest be the foundation for a broader connection to the environment around you. You don’t have to be a scientist or outdoors expert—just someone who notices. And as you keep noticing, your knowledge, appreciation, and personal joy will naturally grow.

Jill’s Links

http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Twitter - https://twitter.com/schmern

YouTube @BuzzBlossomSqueak

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.