This blog is about how my experiences inspire me and what I’ve learned from them. I’ve discovered that putting conscious effort into noticing things you usually overlook is an art. In 2023, I took a small trip with my family, spending most of the time travelling by car. The experience brought me immense peace, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

What I’ve Observed Around Us

This might sound simple, but sometimes the best way to approach things is to break them down into their simplest forms. Here, I’ve shared how I started viewing my surroundings through the realizations I had on that trip and a few other incidents in my day to day life.

Nature at Its Purest Form — Have you ever gone on a train or road journey? Most of us have, and one thing we can all relate to is experiencing various forms of untouched nature at different times and speeds. The possibilities for what you can see are endless. You can appreciate the depth between every element of nature, like the heights of mountains framed perfectly between your fingertips. These moments remind us of nature’s inherent balance and beauty, many free from human intervention.

Observe this waterfall closely as it cascades down, rubbing against the rocks on the side and leaving its mark. The mark forms a gradient-like color pattern. The brighter areas indicate rare occurrences when the waterfall gushes faster than normal and slowly erodes the rock. Over time, as the water flow slows down, moss forms on the areas further away. In contrast, where the water constantly falls, the rocks are glossier and less greener.

Human Elements Blending with Nature — Sometimes, objects placed by humans with purpose blend effortlessly into the natural composition when observed from certain angles. It’s fascinating how something man-made, like a bridge or a garden, can become part of the natural landscape. These human elements, thoughtfully integrated into their surroundings, enhance the beauty and harmony of the scene in its own way.

I had come across this scene as I walked around a lake one evening, and what were the chances that I would observe a sunset right between two buildings, as if the buildings were made for the sun to take its place!

Birds of a feather flock together. The dark-feathered birds were gathered in the front, and the light-feathered birds were at the back (I doubt it’s visible in this image here, but it was a sight to see!). Nature can be full of so many wonders. If we think about it, the buildings at the back weren’t really necessary for the subject of the image to take its place, but they definitely add a human touch to how nature coexists.

Nature Reclaiming Human Creations — Objects we see everyday, intentionally or unintentionally placed by humans, often become one with nature. Over time, nature has a way of reclaiming human-made objects. Abandoned buildings overgrown with vines, rusty cars enveloped by grass, or old structures weathered by the elements show how nature can take over and transform human creations. These instances illustrate the power and resilience of nature, merging with and eventually dominating human artifacts.

You feel the texture when you look at the image and the way the light reflects off the surface gives you a sense of what the surface would feel like as well. If you haven’t guessed already, it’s an image of a dam.

The texture of a dam changes over time as water and natural processes interact with its surface. At first, smooth surfaces develop intricate patterns of grooves and channels from the constant movement of water. As time passes, nature takes over, adding to the transformation. This not only changes how the dam looks but also shows how humans and nature interact, telling a story of adaptation and change as time goes on.

Factors to remember

• There are several factors such as light, weather, seasons, sounds and interaction of wildlife that influence these forms to behave in a certain way or change how we perceive them from time to time.
• The changing of light from the gentle hues of sunrise to the shadows cast by sunsets along with the weather and seasons add fascination to our everyday scenes. Observing wildlife, whether in urban or natural environment, offers a connection to the intricate web of life. Beyond visuals, the soundscape also influences our perception, from the silent rustling of leaves to the distant city hum, shaping the atmosphere of a place. Every single element helps in nurturing new imaginations within our minds when we make ourselves aware of their presence.

Embracing a Mindful Approach

When I talk about observing, it’s not about focusing on things through the labels and constructs we’ve assigned to them. It’s more about seeing them for what they truly are. Acknowledging the existence of things with an open mind allows us to appreciate the true beauty of everything. The observations I’ve mentioned above are things I’ve actively looked for, but sometimes, if you’re lucky, moments come to you just like this one here.

Imagine this, you come back home to find no electricity on a rainy evening. You open up the windows and you turn around to see this visual. Astonishing, isn’t it? I then looked out the window to see how this occurred.

It was the light from the food court signage reflecting off the wet road into the room through the window. That’s all it takes to remember a moment so vividly.

It’s understandable if our mind cannot be completely blank while observing. For me, it’s about creating your own narratives that make your observations more interesting and memorable. To be able to express how you feel and think about a certain moment is the true nature of this art.

When we view something, our experience will always be unique. Even if someone else is seeing the same thing at the same time, your perspective will be uniquely yours. What you notice at any given moment is your own special experience, shaped by your personal viewpoint. Ultimately, observation is about being present and mindful. It’s about taking a moment to pause and appreciate the world around us without judgment or haste. By cultivating this habit, we not only find inspiration but also a deeper connection to the world and to ourselves. There are countless wonders I would love to see and share with the world. Until then, let’s embrace each new experience with an open heart and mind.

The Art of Observation and Finding Inspiration From Your Surroundings was originally published in Gameskraft Design on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.