Room to Breathe

Meandering through paths of tall trees, my thoughts wander. Almost instantly, I am flooded with creative energy that previously eluded me. Time in nature yields self-reflection, separation from stress, and a means of connecting with surroundings. Here, I achieve peace. I take my deepest breaths.

My familial relationships are rooted in nature, sprouting reverence at a young age. Most of our free time was spent outdoors. Hikes in a baby bjorn, jogs in a stroller, and days in the park were sprinkled throughout my childhood. This turned into family ski trips, bike rides, and Sunday runs with mom. Quality time was time in nature.


My formative college years in an urban environment revealed an absence in my life: my craving for greenery, the magic in the caring nature of branches. This led me to Rock Creek Park, a space that cares for me.

Rock Creek is a civil servant working overtime for the city, nurturing many. The park is a pair of lungs, offering a clearer mind with each inhale. It is a small solace within the chaos of city living. Here, my worries melt. Waves of tranquility bathe my uneasy mind.

This work is self-care. I locate myself within the landscape to better understand my relationship to it, allow myself to be engulfed by it. I connect with myself, both past and present.
May 7, 2023. WASHINGTON, D.C.— Installation for Room to Breathe at NEXT (Image by Jenna Banks).
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