From Anne Stine’s Studio Journal
There’s something about the start of a new year that makes me crave stillness. Not silence exactly, but that deeper kind of quiet
—the kind you feel in your chest when you step beneath tall trees and the world softens around you. Lately, I’ve been reading Something in the Woods Loves You by Jarod Anderson. It’s a touching and truly inspiring read of how he found healing in nature during the darkest times in his life. His writing reminds me that the forest isn’t just a place we visit. It’s a presence. A friend. A steadying force that welcomes us back without asking for anything in return. And we can find our own personal meaning amongst the trees if we open ourselves to the experience.
As we all move into a new year hoping for more peace, clarity, and grounding, I wanted to share how walking in the woods has become one of the most healing and inspiring rituals in my life—and how it continues to shape my art, my mindset, and my sense of belonging.
Why the Forest Heals Us
forest therapy • nature healing • walking in the woods
For most of my life, I’ve trekked out into the forests of northern Virginia to find something new and interesting, find peace during stressful times, and gather inspiration to create something artsy. This practice now has an official term. Forest therapy—sometimes called shinrin‑yoku or forest bathing—is the simple practice of slowing down and letting the
natural world soothe your nervous system. No agenda. No performance. Just presence.
I’m diving into these resources to learn more about the science behind my favorite practice:
- In The Nature Fix, Florence Williams explains how nature restores our focus and lowers stress.
- Dr. Qing Li’s research on forest bathing shows measurable benefits to our immune system and mood.
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, in Braiding Sweetgrass, reminds us that attention is a form of love—and that the natural world responds when we show up with curiosity and care.
My Own Walks: A Reset Button for the Mind
hiking for mental health • creative mindfulness
Over the years, hiking has become my reset button. When my mind feels cluttered or my creative energy gets tangled, I head for the trails near home. There’s a moment—usually ten minutes in—when the noise in my head begins to dissolve. The rhythm of walking, the smell of damp leaves, the hush of winter branches… it all works like a gentle recalibration.
These walks have become part of my studio practice. I don’t go out looking for ideas, but they always seem to find me anyway. A pattern of lichen on a fallen log. The way roots twist around stone. The soft architecture of moss. These small encounters make their way into my paintings, especially the new series of woodland abstractions I’m exploring now.
The forest teaches me to look closer, to slow down, to trust the quiet.
Why Trees Calm Us (Even When Life Feels Anything But Calm)
nature healing benefits • walking meditation
You don’t need research to know the forest works its magic, but here are a few truths I love:
- The scent of pine and soil naturally lowers stress.
- Natural patterns—branches, bark, leaf veins—give our minds something soothing to follow.
- The forest’s slower pace helps us breathe differently.
- Being surrounded by something bigger than ourselves reminds us we’re not alone.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “In the woods, we return to reason and faith.” I feel that every time I step onto the trail.
How Forest Walks Feed My Creative Life
nature‑inspired art • artist inspiration from nature
Every time I return to the studio after a walk, I feel more grounded. More open. More willing to follow where the work wants to go. The forest has become a collaborator of sorts—offering textures, colors, metaphors, and a sense of calm that I carry back to the art table.
My art has always been rooted in nature, but these walks have deepened that connection. They remind me that creativity isn’t something we force. It’s something we allow. Below is a photo I shot while hiking and the gouache sketch that it inspired.
An Invitation for Your Own Slow Walk
mindful walking • forest therapy practice
If you’re craving peace as you step into this new year, try taking a slow walk in the woods. Not a hike with a goal. Just a wander.
Notice one color.
One sound.
One texture.
Let the forest set the pace.
You might be surprised by what softens inside you.
Come Back to the Studio With Me
studio journal • creative inspiration blog
If this reflection resonated with you, I’d love for you to explore more of my world. You can visit my website at annestine.com to view my latest artwork, learn more about my process, and see how these forest walks continue to shape each new series I create.
You’re also welcome to follow along on Instagram @annestinefineart, where I share behind‑the‑scenes moments from the studio, works in progress, nature‑inspired details, and glimpses of the trails that keep me grounded.
And if you’d like to be the first to know about new art releases, upcoming workshops, exhibitions, and special events, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter. It’s the best way to stay connected—and I always try to make it a peaceful, inspiring note in your inbox.
Here’s to a year filled with creativity, calm, and the quiet magic of the woods.
