Louise reflects on her new love of gardening
Last year I wrote about laughing being my selfcare tip; this is still very relevant to me. Nothing recharges me like a real belly laugh that causes happy tears. Since then, I have found a new addition to my self-care tool kit.
My newfound enjoyment is gardening. I am a total novice and am regularly over-watering, planting in the wrong place and turning to google as I panic that the leaf on my new plant is covered in tiny black bugs!
As I was reflecting on my gardening journey, I was reminded of my younger self. I remember my first cress head (that strange rite of passage where most children in the UK come home with a tight filled with soil and seeds, often looking like a budget Mr Potato Head!). I then reminisced on various sunflower growing challenges at school, where no one would remember which one was theirs (amazing that at least 10 different children would claim they had all planted the winner!).
My gardening life looks less competitive now. I always thought that gardening was for the retired generation and those that had an interest in BBC's Gardener's World. What I have quickly realised is it can look however you want it to look. I spent many years with just house plants and seeing them grow brings me a lot of pride. I feel very smug knowing that I have kept that plant alive and incredibly grown up when they need transitioning into a bigger pot (I imagine it being close to the feeling of sending your child to school for the first time)! Most evenings, I spend time watering the garden and have started being grateful for rain because "the garden will appreciate it". Of course, the act of caring for something is positive for my wellbeing, the physical movement helps with the after-dinner digestion and noticing the changes in the natural world give me perspective, alongside hope. For the first time, I am growing some vegetables and harvested my first ever courgette. I am still deciding what meal I will create with it, because it needs to be something special!
There is lots of research that shows being connected with nature can work wonders, I have added a few links below, which I encourage you to take a look at. Although I have spoken about my garden space, which I feel incredibly fortunate to have, please remember that there are so many ways to connect to nature. It can look however you want it to look; having a few plants on a windowsill at home or taking some extra time when you are next in your local park to see what is around. If you are feeling really adventurous, you could enquire about your local allotment.
My favourite plant I have grown is a rose that I have by the front door, it smells of perfume and is bright pink, and it makes me smile every time I come home. Each year it grows even more and it rewards my care with at least two rounds of beautiful roses before it rests for the winter.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/health-and-wellbeing
https://www.cpre.org.uk/discover/mental-health-and-green-spaces/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=290900108&gbraid=0AAAAAD1iFi7o-xcwGYr-G2SaxWflo3azD&gclid=CjwKCAjwmenCBhA4EiwAtVjzmrOB3DzRfticqDAOzyeEvSsiZmKzrM0mtqap02hLXVmBNLaEvoA8FxoCEOkQAvD_BwE
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/health-and-wellbeing/articles/why-gardening-makes-us-feel-better
Happy gardening x
