Reflection

Reflection

I was surprised by how much my life has been connected to the outdoors, both in the past and now. As I worked on this bird’s-eye view map of my community, I began to notice things I usually overlooked. Through a new lens, I saw beauty in the way trees, parks, and schools were arranged between houses and roads. I knew there was a creek somewhere in my neighborhood, but I had never bothered to find out where it was, or what places it weaved through. I didn't know the shape of the local reservoir, and I hadn’t paid attention to which road my mom took to drive us to our favorite hiking spot.While drawing, I let myself step back, slow down, and reconnect with familiar places I used to pass by without a second thought. Each corner of my community holds a memory—from the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun I once felt while picking cherries, to the spot near the hydrangea bush where my dog stops to sniff the air every day. Making this drawing reminded me of the peace and clarity I’ve found outdoors, in quiet moments surrounded by nature. Before starting this project, I had read about the mental health benefits of nearby green spaces, but it was through drawing and reflection that these effects felt real and personal to me.