Fix It Friday: Finding the Zen in Parenting: How Gardening Helps Me Unwind

2–3 minutes
Vinca with red flowers

Hello My Fabulous Fixers! 🌟

Vinca from my garden 🙂 Photo by Geneva O’Kelley 2023

It’s another beautiful Friday, so it’s time for another round of “Fix It Friday.”

Today, we’re talking about finding Zen moments amidst the chaos of parenting. If you’re anything like me, you’re juggling work, kids, household chores, and oh, let’s not forget self-care (often the first thing to be sacrificed, am I right?). But one thing that has continuously saved me is my garden. Yep, you heard it—my garden is my sanctuary.

The Tranquil Space

Photo of Mint surrounded by painted rocks
Mint from my garden. Photo by Geneva O’Kelley

Gardening is my ‘me time,’ my little escape from the noisy world of homework, tantrums, and endless questions. When I step into my garden, I feel like I’m stepping into a peaceful universe, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The act of touching soil, watering plants, and watching them grow gives me an unparalleled sense of peace.

The Zen Connection

Madagascar Periwinkle with purple and white flowers.
Madagascar Periwinkle from my garden. Photo by Geneva O’Kelley

Let’s be honest; parenting can be stressful! But as I nurture my garden, I’m reminded of how every little bit of care counts, similar to raising children. The garden teaches me patience, attentiveness, and the joy in small accomplishments. Whenever my daughter or sons show progress in their daily tasks, it’s just like seeing a new bud form on a plant.

Tools that Help

Yellow Snapdragons
Snapdragons from my garden. Photo by Geneva O’Kelley

You don’t have to be an expert gardener to find your Zen. Trust me, I was never much of a green thumb. But tools like my Nutribullet for whipping up quick smoothies with fresh ingredients from the garden have made the experience even more rewarding. For my gardening, I have a few trusty pairs of pruners that I tend my plants with, and a nice string trimmer that effectively keeps the weeds at bay. I have a handy set of hand tools that I use to do the rest like a small trowel, and a handy string trimmer to tackle the persistent weeds. If you can afford it, preventative maintenance like preen or black fabric and a layer of cardboard covered in bark is a great alternative.

Easy Starters

Basil plant
Basil from my garden. Photo by Geneva O’Kelley

If you’re looking to start gardening but are hesitant, start with something easy and low-maintenance. Try planting herbs like mint or basil, or maybe some colorful marigolds. They are hardy, look great, and offer a fantastic sensory experience.

Wrapping Up

Rosemary plant
Rosemary from my garden. Photo by Geneva O’Kelley

Gardening and parenting have more in common than you might think. They both require time, attention, and love. And they both give back a hundredfold in ways that you can’t even imagine. So, the next time you’re feeling stressed about parenting, maybe consider stepping into a garden. Even if you don’t have one, a local park or even indoor plants can offer a similar sense of tranquility.

Tags

#KindnessnCake, #ZenInParenting, #GardeningUnwind, #ParentingTips, #Mindfulness, #GLO-Getters, #FixItFriday

As always, my friends, enjoy the GLO!

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