I love plants. Like really love them. I didn’t use to care one way or another about them but one day I was having pretty bad anxiety and on a whim I bought a lavendar plant and repotted it in my tiny backyard in a big blue pot. I tended it like any other plant and when it bloomed the smell was amazing. Now I’m addicted, I have sage, basil, aloe vera. There’s something innately calming to me about having my hands in the dirt and tending to a living thing that isn’t a pet. I felt like a proud mama when I saw those first flowers.

I’m moving to indoor plants now which help cleanse the air and are surprisingly easy to care for. If you’re a beginner I recommend pothos. It’s a long vining green planet that grows super easy with just once a week watering and some sunlight from a window. Lavendar is also surprisingly easy to grow and very hearty. Just give it good drainage and water every other day and you’re good.

Another benefit is what I chose to grow. I can use them for self care rituals like face masks, scrubs, and homemade oils. It gives you a certain feeling of accomplishment to know I’m growing this little green babies.

The thing about depression is that on the days that you absolutely cannot bear the thought of facing people you end up wallowing in your own sadness. Feeling worse and worse. Maybe you can’t deal with the outside world, that’s ok, but if you try one thing-like gardening- that will get you up and doing something methodical you’ll feel infinitely better.

So get your hands dirty and see if it helps you to get back in touch with mother nature.

Categories: Addiction, Anxiety, bipolar disorder, Depression, Gardening, Homeopathic Remedies, Mental Health, Organization, Planting