The therapeutic power of gardening
As someone who struggles with stress and anxiety, I have found an unlikely source of therapy in my own front garden. Despite having only a tiny garden with one small flower bed, gardening has become a powerful tool for me to find calm and joy in the midst of life’s chaos. Whether I’m planting things in pots, checking on the progress of my plants, or experimenting with growing new things from seed, there’s something about getting my hands dirty and being in nature that helps to reset my mind in the best possible way.
I’ll admit that I’m no expert gardener – my approach is largely guesswork and trial and error. But that’s part of the beauty of it. Gardening is a forgiving hobby; it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a green thumb, or if you don’t know the Latin names for the plants you’re tending to. What matters is that you’re engaging with nature, and that you’re taking the time to care for something outside of yourself.
For me, gardening has become a way to practice mindfulness without even realizing it. When I’m in my garden, I’m completely focused on the task at hand – whether that’s pulling weeds, watering plants, or planting new seeds. It’s a way for me to quiet my mind and be present in the moment, which is something that can be difficult to achieve in our fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Gardening is more than just a way to find inner peace – it’s also a way to connect with others. I love sharing photos of my plants on social media and seeing what others are growing in their own gardens. It’s a way to build community around a shared love for nature, and to learn from one another’s successes and failures.
At the moment, one of the things that brings me immense joy in my garden is my pea plants. I have grown them from scratch and love seeing the progress they make each day. From tiny little sprouts to vines that are now reaching for the sky, they have become a source of pride for me. Seeing them grow and flourish is a reminder of the resilience of nature and of the power of patience and perseverance. I am also experimenting with growing tomato plants, and I hope to be able to enjoy some of my own produce from the garden in just a month or so. Another plant that is thriving in my garden is my favourite flower, the iris. Seeing these beautiful flowers popping up in the pots fills me with joy and makes me feel grateful for the simple pleasures in life.
As a family, we are currently considering moving to a new house that will be more suitable for the needs of my twins. A garden is at the top of the list of “must-haves,” not only for my children but also for myself. I can’t imagine anything better than having a larger space to plant and grow to my heart’s content!