Experiencing South Korea's Autumn Through Nature
A couple of weeks ago we went to South Korea for the first time in years. We’re finally free to travel around - no more quarantine in hotels! - so we decided that our first autumn holiday was going to be there, inspired by pictures of red and yellow trees I saw online that look really beautiful (and also because I don’t have to apply for a visa to visit).
Usually I enjoy the hot weather in Hong Kong but sometimes I’d like to experience something different; I wanted to wear a coat and a hat I had knitted last year, but mostly I wanted to see the colours of the trees in the mountains. I wanted to walk underneath a rain of yellow and red leaves falling from ancient trees and to hear the leaves rustling with the wind. I wanted to make crunchy sounds with my feet while walking on dry leaves.
Gingko tree leaves on the ground
A few years ago I read about shinrin-yoku - forest bathing - and since, I’ve embraced the idea of standing or walking in a forest, park or natural reserve, emptying my mind of anxious thoughts and just focussing on what’s happening around. I think it is a great exercise to ground myself in the here and now and to connect with nature. I feel calmer and lighter after 30 minutes of being in the forest consciously engaging with my surroundings.
Autumn is a great season to practice forest bathing. The changes in nature are bright and obvious to spot and there are so many things happening that it’s easy to engage all of our senses. Focusing on the red and yellow leaves of the ginkgo and maple trees, the sound of the leaves rustling with the wind, the birds finding food and getting ready for winter, is a beautiful exercise that can help you find joy in the ordinary.
Despite the cold, walking for long periods of time lifted my spirits and it got me thinking about the importance of taking these kinds of mindful walks more often.
Every day, I walk around my neighbourhood to my local park. I like to spot people exercising and dancing and to see the slow changing of the seasons in the trees. I enjoy recognising birds by their singing and to spot new flowers blooming. These walks allow me to clear my mind, to get a new perspective on things that might be bothering me and are also catalysis for new floral paintings.
I wish there wasn’t so much traffic around though, that’s why being able to get away from the cities in South Korea was a much more relaxing experience.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a park or a green space, I highly recommend taking advantage of it and visiting as often as you can.
Especially if you can sit or walk calmly for at least 15 minutes, it will make all the difference to your day and your general wellbeing.
Below I’m sharing with you some ideas for engaging with nature mindfully.
Ideas for mindful forest bathing
Notice how many kinds of trees you see.
Count the number of birds you can see in a tree.
Listen to the sound of the leaves moving with the wind.
Collect fallen flowers or leaves.
Stop and smell the flowers.
Try to familiarise yourself with the songs of birds.
Spot mushrooms growing on tree-trunks
Listen to the sound of moving water
Find the name of tree and plant species (I use the app GardenAnswers)
Pain or draw the plants and flowers you see
Cat family waiting for the bus
