Lately, I’ve been feeling more connected to the natural world than I ever have before. I really started to recognize nature and began to appreciate it last spring, and now my understanding of it is expanding due to being enrolled in two environmentally-related classes (Intro to Environmental Studies and Environmental Ethics). Prior to last spring, I only valued nature and the environment in an anthropocentric way; I viewed it as having purely aesthetic value. I wasn’t even aware that there was a term for that kind of perspective until this semester. I’ve learned in this class, as well as in Environmental Ethics, about anthropocentrism and what it means to view the world in a human-centered light. While I did appreciate nature’s beauty and how it made me feel, I now have grown to cherish that the environment has intrinsic value. There’s more to the environment than the ways in which it can be convenient and instrumental to humans. It might be important to be connected to the natural world because we collectively can act respectfully and responsibly in order to protect our environment and prevent further damage. I find it especially important to take care of our planet because human activity can result in detrimental impacts to all species. Personally, my view has shifted to a biocentrist one. Human needs are not more important than those of other living things, so we should refrain from indirectly harming the environment through our actions and practices.

Instead of simply going outside to my back patio, I chose to make a trip to the beach. I went to Sullivan’s Island this past Saturday with these guidelines in mind. I chose Sullivan’s over the other beaches in the area because it’s my favorite destination for whenever I need to clear my mind and calm down. Thinking ahead and bringing a blanket to sit on, I made it just in time for the sunset. Unsurprisingly, I ended up staying for nearly half an hour embracing my surroundings. I’ve witnessed many Charleston sunsets over my three years here, but this one was different. I focused on the various aspects of my immediate area, which included the dunes, sand, and the sound of the crashing waves in the near distance. Typically, I turn to my phone in order to capture the moment in pictures. This time though, I chose just to sit there and take in the ocean’s serenity. I realized how much more relaxing it felt to just observe instead of capturing it in a photo. Sometimes it’s better to enjoy every second of the picture in front of you, instead of looking through a phone’s camera. With the sound of the waves as a backdrop, I felt entirely enthralled by the natural area around me. As I watched the light pinks and yellows gradually mesh and fade in the sky, I took in a deep breath and exhaled. As I left Sullivan’s that night, I not only had a clearer mind but felt closer to nature than I have in months. Even though the sunset was not saved in a photograph, it’s fixed in my memory.