What happens when you turn your hobby, your interest in nature, into a source of income? Well of course there’s a risk that in interferes with your enjoyment of it. If every nature moment is a writing opportunity, you won’t ever be able to switch off. So you need to set aside some selfish time.

I’m not keen on the expression “self-care” but there is an argument for taking time out, leaving your nature writing tools – notebook, voice recorder etc – at home and just enjoying the natural world without any particular purpose, as a way of looking after yourself and your emotional wellbeing. & then I really believe you’ll be more likely to enjoy your writing time too, without beginning to resent it.

Aside from your emotional wellbeing, it makes sense to look after yourself physically too. Writers can spend a lot of time sat on their backsides, but at least as nature writers we’ve got an excuse to get out there to research. I’ve found some fascinating pavement plants on the way to the gym…