My gratitude for mother nature.

Nature + Relationships

Looking back in childhood most memories with family and friends are being outside playing. As a child, I played and competed in golf and fast pitch softball from ages 5-18. I was always outside listening to the birds and breathing in the fresh air, when I decided not to compete in college I became depressed and didn’t realize it was the lack of being outside and adjusting to a life that was completely indoors. My friend Sebastian suggested going for a procrastination adventure walk, and soon it became a regular occasion with us. We’d walk through the various squares of Savannah, GA admiring the oak trees and Spanish moss. We 'd share deep conversations while walking and appreciating nature surrounding us. It was healing for both of us as we had moments of feeling home sick, and adjusting to our new college life. Sometimes we'd walk for 2 hours! We needed the nature escape at times.

Another moment of building friendships in nature is when I took a trip to Moab, Utah with my friends Abbie and Dustin to capture the Milky way and explore the dessert of Utah. I wasn't expecting so many deep belly laughs, inside jokes, impactful conversations, and authentic moments to come out of it. We spent two weeks in Utah and still talk about how much we want to recreate those impactful memorable moments. I’ll always remember the hard belly laughs with tears in our eyes we had over a meal joking about our fascination with rocks using different accents at our campsite. How we met a pet pig named Kevin Bacon at a random BLM campground and other had to be there with us in nature moments. That trip strengthened our friendship and we all became so grateful for each other as all of our strengths came together to make the trip absolutely EPIC and wonderful. I've had the honor to hike with many friends and I love the conversations and laughs nature brings out of us. We let go of the superficial and let our true selves come out. I’m so grateful for these moments.

This year I turned 30 and all I wanted was to celebrate by being in nature. I had the opportunity to camp in Shenandoah National Park and drive the Skyline Drive through the Appalachian Mountains with my friend Anthony. The journey was fun and the drive was breathtaking. We had to take scenic detours due to a storm and saw all the cute quirky mountain towns of the United States and traveled to find kava bars along the way. I have tons of anecdotes of how fantastic my friends are and how our time in nature bonds us, but I'll save them for future stories. I am so grateful for my friends love and passion for spending time in nature with me. They encourage me to continue my love for sharing it’s beauty. The excitement we all get for a good view lets me know I’m with the right crowd. Next time you're looking for something to do, take a walk in nature with a good Friend!

Nature + Self

As I mentioned previously, I played sports all through childhood, so being outside and in nature was integrated into my life at a young age. I rediscovered the importance of being in nature after constantly battling with depression and anxiety as a young adult. During covid shutdown I started walking regularly and realized how much it helped my mental health and how much I reconnected with the trees and sounds of nature. The importance of movement (walking) and feeling present while being outside (hearing birds, noticing leaves brush in the wind) are all tools and moments to help get out of anxious and depressive thoughts. It’s crazy how much nature can heal your mind. Soon I felt my mood adjust for the better and felt overall a lot more positive, creative, and uplifted.

Before I moved to Alabama, I attended a church on the beach and I would walk to the beach after church to pray and meditate. The sounds of the birds would ground me and the rhythm of the waves helped me with my breathing. I really felt like I could tap in and seek my future and my purpose to inspire others. Meditating in nature helps me see the guiding light of my future and I can feel my body in full enlightenment. Once I’m in that state it helps me release my past pains to let in the light of love. Taking in these moments of stillness in nature has helped me release a lot of past trauma and heal a lot of internal wounds. Meditating in nature is truly a divine experience. To have no distractions and pure natural soundscapes surrounded by God's creativity is at it’s true divinity and awestruck beauty. I've had many enlightened moments of realization and creativity while being in nature and am so grateful for them. Nature is beauty and healing. Remember when you feel down to go to Mother Nature and let her powers heal you. Thank you God and thank you mother nature for your healing powers and strengths!

Nature + Creativity

Lastly, I'm so thankful for the creativity mother nature inspires. I've always been creative and designing in my head. There is never a moment I’m not coming up with something, designing a graphic, or thinking of a jewelry design. I love to create, it’s part of who I am. I've always admired art and felt inspired by all the vivid colors the world offers. As a traveler I appreciate the natural essence of landscapes and the vivid colors during various times of day. The vibrant sunsets, vast sparkly colors of gemstones, the emerald blue and glacier greens of waters in various locations. Nature is our prime example of pure art and beauty. For artist, nature’s vibrant colors inspire others to create, they show off her beauty using their perspective, or are inspired by the feelings nature provokes them. Many authors, artist, scientist, and philosophers resort to nature for new revelations and to get inspiration. When they feel burnout and doubt, they walk and resort to nature to find exactly what they’ve been searching for. Nature and creativity are like two best friends, they complement each other and strengthen each others weaknesses. People who are inspired by the beauty and awe of nature are some of the greatest creators. It’s how other’s want to perceive the world, a world of beauty, love, wonder, and vibrance. What better way to spark creativity and imagination than by spending time in the greatest creation ever? NATURE!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You nature, I love you!

Much Love and Gratitude,
Erica❤
Artist & Founder of Calming captures