I haven’t missed many days with Explore IT, but I haven’t been consistent either. Some days I had to set it aside. Other days I tried, really tried, but the hoop kept falling. Literally and metaphorically. The image didn’t land, or the moment passed too quickly. It wasn’t always the right setting, or the right light, or the right feeling.

But here’s what I held on to: this project has never been about perfection. It’s about presence. About returning. About building psychological flexibility. Not just for clients, but for myself.

In this blog post, I explore the mental health benefits of immersing ourselves in nature, discuss how a reading experience I had connects nature with creating, and share ten art therapy exercises incorporating nature. Nature has an unparalleled ability to ignite the flames of creativity within us. The sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world stimulate our senses, encouraging a state of heightened awareness and receptivity. Here are a few ways in which nature serves as a muse for creativity