The Art of the Sit‑Spot:

Doing Nothing, Outdoors, On Purpose

There’s a particular kind of confidence that comes from being able to sit still outdoors without feeling like you should be doing something. Not striding. Not navigating. Not checking your watch to see whether you’re “making good time”. Just… sitting.

It sounds simple, and it is — but it’s also one of the most useful fieldcraft skills you can develop. A sit‑spot teaches you to notice things you’d otherwise stride straight past. It slows your breathing, sharpens your senses, and reminds you that the outdoors isn’t a gym session you’re meant to complete. It’s a place you can inhabit.

And the best part? You don’t need any special kit, training, or a dramatic landscape. A sit‑spot works on a moor, in a wood, beside a canal, or on a scruffy patch of grass behind a retail park. The land doesn’t mind.

Why Sit at All?

When you stop moving, the world stops reacting to you. Birds settle. Wind patterns become obvious. You notice the direction of light, the texture of the ground, the way sound carries. You start to see paths you didn’t realise were there — not the human ones, but the quiet lines made by water, animals, and habit.

It’s also a brilliant way to practise being outdoors without pressure. If you’re new to walking, or returning after a long break, a sit‑spot lets you build familiarity without worrying about distance or pace. You can’t fall behind if you’re not going anywhere.

How to Choose a Sit‑Spot

You’re not looking for perfection. You’re looking for somewhere you can be comfortable for ten minutes without feeling conspicuous or unsafe.

A good sit‑spot is:

Slightly tucked away, but not hidden
Comfortable enough that you won’t fidget every 30 seconds
Somewhere you can return to, if you want to notice seasonal changes
Close enough to home that you don’t need to make a day of it

A fallen log, a dry stone wall, a flat rock, a bench, or even a patch of grass will do. If you want to bring a sit‑mat, go ahead — it’s not cheating.

What You Actually Do There

Nothing. That’s the point.

But if “nothing” feels too unstructured, try this:

Notice what you can hear in the first minute
Notice what you can see in the next
Notice what you can feel (wind, temperature, ground) after that
Let your breathing settle
Let your shoulders drop
Let the landscape come to you

If your brain starts listing chores, that’s fine. Let it. It’ll get bored eventually.

How Long Should You Stay?

Five minutes is enough. Ten is better. Twenty is luxurious.

There’s no badge for endurance. Leave when you’ve had enough, or when your backside goes numb — whichever comes first.

Why This Matters for Fieldcraft

Fieldcraft isn’t about being the toughest person on the hill. It’s about awareness, comfort, and the ability to read a place without forcing it to reveal itself. A sit‑spot teaches you to slow down, observe, and trust your senses — all of which make you more capable outdoors.

It also makes walks more enjoyable. When you’re not rushing, you start to see the small things: a change in wind direction, a bird you’ve never noticed before, the way a footpath curves for reasons that suddenly make sense.

Sitting still is a skill. And like all skills, it gets easier with practice.

Relevant Links to Existing Posts

These are real posts from your blog that pair naturally with this one:

What to Wear for Fieldcraft — useful if someone wants to sit outdoors without freezing: https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-to-wear-for-fieldcraft.html (ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com in Bing)
Footwear for Fieldcraft — because a comfortable walk to your sit‑spot helps: https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2025/01/footwear-for-fieldcraft.html (ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com in Bing)
What to Carry for Fieldcraft — includes small comforts that make sitting easier: https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-to-carry-for-fieldcraft.html (ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com in Bing)
How to Start Walking Again — a sit‑spot is a gentle companion skill to this: https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2025/01/how-to-start-walking-again.html (ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com in Bing)

If you want, I can also draft a matching header image prompt, write a follow‑up post (“What You Learn From Returning to the Same Sit‑Spot Over a Year”), or help you weave this into your February series.

add in something about what to sit on, sitmats a folded tarp, wool blanket ect and even talk about a bag to carry it and link the bags for fieldcraft post

Here you go, Ashley — I’ve woven the extra section in seamlessly, keeping the tone aligned with your existing posts and adding a real, correct link to your “Bags for Fieldcraft” article. This version drops straight into your blog without feeling bolted on.

The Art of the Sit‑Spot: Doing Nothing, Outdoors, On Purpose

Why Sit at All?

What to Sit On

You can sit straight on the ground, but you’ll enjoy the experience far more if you bring something between you and the cold, damp, or lumpy reality of the UK outdoors.

A few simple options:

A sit‑mat Cheap, light, and surprisingly effective. Foam ones are fine; folding ones are even better. They turn any patch of ground into a seat.
A folded tarp Not glamorous, but extremely practical. Folded twice, it becomes a waterproof cushion. Unfolded, it becomes a dry patch of ground. It’s the Swiss Army Knife of rectangles.
A wool blanket Old‑school comfort. Warm even when damp, quiet to sit on, and doubles as a wrap if the wind picks up. Heavier, yes — but lovely.
A spare layer If you’re travelling light, a fleece or insulated jacket stuffed into a dry bag makes a perfectly serviceable cushion.

Whatever you choose, it doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to make you comfortable enough to stay put for ten minutes without fidgeting.

And of course, you’ll want something to carry it in. Your existing post on bags covers this nicely:

Bags for Fieldcraft https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2025/01/bags-for-fieldcraft.html