THL #02 – Colour walk results, haiku, the Dérive App, and an awareness prompt
We are still waiting for snow here in Greenland 😢
There have been a few overnight dustings, but nothing significant, and footing is still precarious as we navigate icy streets. Usually, dogsled season would be in full swing by now, and parts of the backcountry would echo with the roar of snowmobiles (I live in the snowmobile capital of Greenland!). But there’s simply not enough snow. According to locals, they haven’t seen a winter like this since the 1970s.
It’s incredible to think that just three years ago, it was consistently cold enough for Sisimiut harbour to freeze – something residents said hadn’t happened since the 1980s. Normally, Sisimiut is the northernmost ice-free port on Greenland’s west coast.
Still, I keep heading out to explore, despite the treacherous footing.
And my fingers, toes, and everything else are still crossed for decent snow in the near future… 🤞
Field Notes
Last week I challenged you to head out on a colour walk.
What colour did you choose?
I chose a route I walk quite often for my Sisimiut Port project. But this time, in addition to looking for interesting port-related happenings, I also specifically looked for the colour Green. I figured this would be a good challenge since it is the middle of winter here in Greenland (hahaha) when everything is supposedly covered by snow … supposedly 😒.
You can see the ~1km route (one-way) I followed below (a satellite image clearly taken in summer).
I was surprised at just how much green there was:
- ship hulls and metal supports
- garbage bins and skip bins
- oil tanks and drums
- lots of fishing rope, netting, and plastic bins
- crab pots
- shipping containers in every shade of green
- labels
- a box of used fireworks discarded in the snow
- even some frozen, frosty plants that the recent warmer weather had uncovered!
Here’s a quick slide show (1 min, no sound):
And here’s my most unexpected find – green car doors in a pile.
I almost missed this.
I came from behind the building and just happened to look back as I reached the road. If I wasn’t specifically looking for the colour green, there’s no way I would have gone over to investigate. But the colour focus prompted me to brave the slippery ice and go over for a closer look.
What was your favourite or most unexpected find from your colour walk? Let me know in the comments 👇
A Haiku Moment
snow-filled valley
from one cliff-face to the next
the raven’s echo
If you’d like to get started with haiku and learn more about the above breakdown, subscribe to this newsletter to download a 10-page quickstart guide.
Attention Practices – Use Dérive App
If you ever find yourself walking the same streets day after day, craving a little spark of curiosity, the Dérive app might be exactly what you need.
Dérive turns urban wandering into a playful game. It presents task cards that invite you to notice, do, or imagine something from where you are. Some examples:
- Look for flowing water. Cross it.
- Search for graffiti that feels like a message meant for you.
- With the sun to your left, walk for a few minutes. Find something beautiful that stands out.
- Focus on your footsteps. Change stride every time someone passes you.
- Find a place where your feet can meet the earth. Take off your shoes and socks, and notice the textures and temperatures beneath you.
The prompts you receive depend on the deck you choose. There are general exploration decks, city-specific decks, or you can even create your own. You can start anywhere: from your front door, a favorite café, or the office for a lunchtime walk. Each card offers a small invitation to explore a familiar space differently, to pause, notice, and follow your curiosity.
It doesn’t matter where you begin – what matters is that first step. Let a deck guide you, and see where you and your attention ends up.
Something to Try
This week’s prompt comes from Kimberley Stone – a mindfulness teacher, wellbeing coach, and nature guide I follow on LinkedIn.
She has a regular series of Nature Prescriptions that I enjoy – here’s one from this week:
🌿 Nature Prescription – 210
Look for something small and overlooked.
Moss on a wall, a shadow on the pavement, a fallen feather.
Let smallness matter today.
Give it a go and let me know what you find.
That’s it for this week.
Thanks for reading and get out there exploring!
Best wishes – Lisa
