Written by Jazmyn Jackson
Growing up in the Bay Area suburb of San Jose, I was surrounded by pavement, development, and the constant hustle of Silicon Valley. Life moved fast, filled with the relentless pace of urban living and the demands of playing softball in Southern California and NorCal valley cities like Stockton and Modesto. Family vacations were non-existent; every moment was dedicated to sports.
My world was defined by concrete and competition, leaving little room for the serenity of nature. As a Black and Mexican American woman raised in San Jose's culture, nature was never much of a priority. Hiking and surfing, two of my most favorite activities now, were things I didn't ever see, let alone see as options for me.
My first encounter with a truly green space was a transformative experience.
At 11 years old, I traveled to Georgia for a national softball tournament. Stepping off the plane, I was greeted by a landscape unlike anything I had seen before. Lush, verdant, and alive with a vibrancy that took my breath away. For the first time, I felt a profound sense of calmness simply by being outside.
My teammates and I danced in the warm rain, and I stared out of the car window on highways, not wanting to miss a single moment of the green scenery passing by. A nature walk during that trip solidified my newfound love for these natural spaces. I decided then that I would move to Georgia someday, captivated by the tranquility and joy that nature brought me.
It wasn't until I moved to Berkeley for college at 18 that I experienced a similar feeling. Walking through the beautiful redwood mini-forests on campus, I felt the same calmness and anti-anxiety sensations I had discovered in Georgia.
Life got harder, though. I lost a friend, navigated and attempted to exit an abusive relationship, and faced the academic challenges of a rigorous school. All the while, I was striving to perform at my highest level on the field during school and in the summers with Team USA.
Amidst this turmoil, the redwoods offered me a sanctuary. Each walk through the forest provided a much-needed escape and a step towards mental clarity and emotional stability.
Rekindling my innate love for nature became a priority. At Berkeley, I immersed myself in the natural beauty around campus. The redwoods, the open spaces, and the fresh air provided a much-needed escape from the pressures of academic life. Each walk in nature was a step towards mental clarity and emotional stability.
As my love for nature grew, so did my opportunities to explore it. Playing softball internationally allowed me to experience diverse natural environments. I fell in love with the ocean's vastness in places like Hawaii, the dense forests of El Salvador, the serene seas of Sardinia, and the majestic mountains of Japan.
Each new landscape brought a unique sense of peace and wonder, further expanding my definition of self and my understanding of what truly nourishes my soul.
Access to green spaces has been absolutely key to maintaining my mental health. The concrete jungles of my youth were replaced by the healing embrace of nature, teaching me to slow down, breathe deeply, and find calmness amidst chaos. Nature became my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the pressures of everyday life and reconnect with myself.
In these natural settings, I discovered a version of myself that was at peace, grounded, and whole. Clinically diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, I found that being in nature not only provided relief from my symptoms but also helped me discover my favorite form of art: creative writing.
The beauty and tranquility of the natural world inspired me to express myself through words, transforming my mental health journey and giving me a new way to connect with my emotions and experiences. Nature has allowed me to explore who I am and choose my own definition of myself and what I like to do, not subscribing to society's definition of who they want me to be or what they want me to like. The therapeutic effects of nature have been well-documented, but my personal journey has shown me just how transformative they can be.
Today, I make it a priority to seek out natural or dedicated green spaces, no matter where I am. Whether it's a local park, a hiking trail, or a beach, I know that spending time in nature is essential for my well-being. It reminds me of the calmness I felt as an 11-year-old in Georgia and the peace I found walking through the redwoods at Berkeley.
Nature has a unique way of expanding our definitions of self.
It reminds us of the beauty in simplicity, the importance of taking time to just be, and the healing power of the natural world. For me, finding myself in nature has been a journey of acceptance and self-discovery, one that continues to shape who I am today. The green spaces and natural pools I cherish are more than just beautiful landscapes; they are a vital part of my mental health and well-being, a testament to the power of nature to heal and transform.
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