There is a secret that you need to know about.

It is called the sit spot.

I will tell you everything that I know about it, but know that only the forest can reveal its true value.

Honestly, if I hadn’t discovered the benefits of having a sit spot in nature, this site would not exist 😅 Here is why.. 👇

As a part of a course that I did, spending 4 days in the forest learning about bird language and animal tracking, I frequented a sit spot in the forest several times per day.

The goal was to observe what was going on around me, and take note of the amazing web of communication that goes on in the forest.

But what I learned was much more than that..

I learned to listen. To quiet down my mind. To get into a deeper state of awareness than I ever had before, and understand the magic of the complex web of communication that the forest really is.

This was so profound that, together with a mind boggling encounter with a deer (you can read my full story here), it changed me and my life profoundly..

And I honestly believe that having a sit spot can do the same for you..

And that is why I love to share everything about it with you in this post..! 🙂

What Is A Sit Spot?

A sit spot is a place in nature that you visit regularly to observe and experience the natural world around you, while sitting in a state of relaxed awareness. This can be your own secret spot somewhere in a forest or park, or it can be in your backyard.

Spending time a sit spot is also referred to as forest bathing sometimes. Whatever you like to call it, it all comes down to submerging yourself in your natural surroundings, and taking the time for it (like you would when you are taking a bath.. 😄)

By visiting a sit spot frequently, over time you will become more sensitive to your surroundings and become aware of subtle changes and ways that nature works and communicates.

Like the best things in life, also this cannot be learned from a book, but only through submerging yourself in it. But it is worth it. The experience you will gain is unique and probably life changing..!

Why Would You Want To Have A Sit Spot?

Especially in our busy day an age, full of distractions and a continuous stream of information, we tend to forget the value of connecting with nature. I write about this a lot, because I believe that it is truly something that we have lost, but often don’t realize..

The connection with nature is a connection with ourselves. It goes much deeper than looking at a plant or animal and appreciating it. It goes back to feeling connected with the web of life around us, and who we truly are.

In our modern world, we don’t seem to, but we are fundamentally connected to it all. Consciously becoming a part of nature, is the only thing that can make you feel this connection.

It makes sense that if you don’t realize that you are missing it, you won’t try to find it, but the fact that you are reading this, probably means that you DO realize it. Good on you! 🙂🤗

Of course, don’t just take it from me (!), go and experience it for yourself 🤍 What do you have to lose, really (as opposed to what can you possibly gain)?

How To Pick A Sit Spot?

The ideal sit spot is somewhere in nature where you are by yourself and cannot be disturbed (your own secret spot).

However, it is best to pick a place that you can get to often and easily. If that means it is in your backyard, that will also work! As long as it is easy to get to, it will be easier to visit regularly.

Just pick a spot that feels good to you and start there (you can always change it later), and go there as often as you can!

What To Do At Your Sit Spot?

Once you are at your sit spot, all you have to do is relax and tune into what is happening around you. No expectations.

Don’t be hard on yourself if your mind is wandering, just take note of it, and get back to listening, it will become more natural over time..!

1. Sit down comfortably, relax and smile 🙂
2. Thank yourself for taking the time to do this! 🙏
3. Thank the forest for accepting you as a part of it
4. Give the animals some time to get used to you (the birds that have flown off will eventually come back after the disturbance of your arrival has settled)
5. Listen to what is happening around you
6. Take note of any changes
7. Write down your observations in your journal and start to recognize patterns over time (your notes will eventually provide you with insights into things that you did not understand at first)
8. Try to draw a plant or animal that you see (drawing is the best way to really see anything and remember its details – and it will make your journal look great too!)

Some Questions To Ask Yourself When You Are At Your Sit Spot

Some questions you can ask yourself when you are at your sit spot:

• What sounds do you hear?
• What is the ‘baseline’ of the mood of the forest in that moment? Is the energy happy, relaxed, tense or quiet?
• If the birds start chirping: why? Is there a preditor around?
• Where is this predator? On the ground, or in the sky?
• How does the movement of sounds reflect this?
• When does the chirping pick back up? Which bird started, and which ones were next?
• What type of sounds are they making?
• Did the sound move up or down, or in a certain pattern or direction?
• If you see other animals, what are they doing? Where are they going?
• How are the birds reacting to them?
• Are these animals reacting to any sounds or any other occurrences?

Sharing The Experience

You can also do this together with someone else of with a group of people. If you all sit around the same area (but on your own spot), you can all write down your observations and share experiences afterwards.

This really helps to start noticing patterns and you will definitely learn from each others observations as it can sometimes be the missing piece of the puzzle (something you were not seeing at first,but all of a sudden makes sense!) 😅

More About The Sit Spot

Check out this video by John Muir Laws about the sit spot as well for some inspiration! 🙂

If you like to get into journaling, I strongly recommend getting his book The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling. This is a very detailed and inspiring guide about how to become good at observing nature and expressing them artistically (it has many drawings and step-by-step examples in it).

Also, as an introduction to bird language watch this video by Jon Young!

He is one of the most well-known experts on bird language and is a very valuable source of information on this topic. In this video, he explains how to start your observations in a simple way, and what five different type of sounds to look out for 🐦

I really enjoyed his book What The Robin Knows, where he explains in great detail how bird language works, why understanding this is such a valuable skill to master, and how you can learn to understand it.

Interestingly, the circles of sound that are a part of bird language often ends with the Robin: a very special bird! Hence the name of the book 🙂

Looking Back On What You Have Learned

Look back at your journal over time and notice how the observations your wrote down, and many of the, seemingly random, occurrences all start to make sense.

You will start to naturally come to understand the subtle clues that nature gives us, and like a puzzle, the pieces will start to fall into place.

And most likely, you will notice how you have changed with it.. 🤍

There is no way back now.. (but don’t worry, you will not want to go back! 🙂)

🍃

This post was all about a sit spot in nature and what the forest can show you that nothing else can.