Episode 20: Mindful Birding for Mental Health & Self-compassion: Good birds, good birders and FOMO

[email protected] Do you often hear the question: “See anything good?”  while birding?  In this episode we discuss this question and tease apart the idea of “what is a good bird”, what is a “good birder”, and how sometimes these questions might allow self-judgement to surface, and how these questions relate to both our mental health and self-compassion.  We also bring up the fear of missing out, and how this may also influence our mental wellbeing in the context of birding. Link to Bird Diva blog on FomoIn the Mindful Birding Nerding science segment, Holly Thomas shares how self-compassion can enhance our experiences with birds. Links: Dr. Kristin Neff Balanced Minds : Comparison vs CompassionThich Nhat Hahn’s writing provides prompts on how to replace negative energy and mindful birding could be a good way to address that negative energy if it surfaces for us. Reading suggestions: Dawn Songs edited by Jamie K. Reaser and J. Drew LanhamMary Oliver’s Owl’s And Other FantasiesJ.Drew Lanham’s Sparrow EnvyThe Joy of Birdsong segment features birds recorded from Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgainIntro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgainOutro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark Mindful Birding Network WebsiteInstagram: @mindfulbirdingnetworkProduced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas