“The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.”
~ Michael Pollan
Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed.
It might be a health problem, or a pain issue.
Sometimes it’s the state of the world, the environment, politics…
Or the suffering of a loved one, friend or client.
Occasionally I get sideswiped by a psychic happening.
Or maybe it’s a knot in my writing that won’t untangle.
But in my arsenal of coping strategies I have one that works magic each time I employ it. In my big book of Coping Strategies (I could write a doctorate on this one topic!) number seventy three is solid gold.
Let me share it with you:
#73 – Hose the garden
With my garden hose in hand I stand barefoot on the ground if the season allows it. My other choices are gumboots if it’s cold, or a worn-out pair of Birkenstocks if there are prickles in the lawn.
I point the stream of water at my vegetable beds, my tubs of herbs, my fruit trees and my flowers.
No matter how cranky, sad, fraught, disconnected or pained I am, within a few minutes I begin to unwind.
I watch the water falling on the leaves and soil. I note the progress of my plants. I might pop a small ripe tomato or snow pea into my mouth, or a sprig of herb. I allow the aromas of moisture and garden to nourish me. I open myself to the sky above my head and the earth beneath my feet. My ears take in the birdsong and hum of insects, the rustle of breeze in the trees, the sounds of the farm beyond my fence. I drink in the sun on my face, or the beginning or close of day.
As I stand with the hose in my hand I become reconnected to myself and to nature. Clouds ripple across the sky. The light changes as the world slowly spins. Each day there is something new, and a few old constants to reassure me of my place in the world. I am filled up with calm and all that other burdensome energy slips away.
What about you? What are your favourite coping strategies? I’d love to know.
Sending big love and hugs to you from all of us here at the farm, Nicole ❤ xx
I completely relate to this coping mechanism. It is so satisfying to stand with hose in hand and take in the aromas of the garden as the water hits their lives and the soil below. To watch the bees on my pond , the flowers grow, and listen to the sounds of the birds or watch them splashing in the bird baths. This is my “go to” to wind down and re-connect to myself.
Weeding, meditative, grounding and makes me so happy making my garden beautiful. Similar idea to watering but I find it very satisfying ripping out the old from the roots (although I do apologize lol!). Never wear gloves (unless there are prickles) just bare hands clearing space for my garden to flourish. Love it 💖
What a perfect way to bring onesself back to the moment–and back to what’s real. I love it!
I do the same every morning I check my plants see who needs tending too. I feed the stray kitties and take my old arthritic dog for a walk. At night I wake up just by habit around 2 am and I go outside with my cat and we look at the stars. I’m always barefoot because I want to feel the connection as it should be. I do stop and smell the roses all of these are our precious gifts appreciate them every day. Especially in the state the earth is in now . I try to protect and nurture my little piece of paradise
love and peace,
Jo-Ann
Love this.
(And making myself a book of coping strategies as well! ❤️❤️❤️).
Tim has always found watering the garden relaxing
A simple walk or a cup of tea in the garden does it for me – a nice touch stone post Nicole.
Watering the garden is also one of mine,, a walk on the Beach grounds me when completely overwhelmed with the magnitude of what ails us as a species… healing hugs & Thank you for sharing your positive Love based self…
Anything housework. Cleaning, folding, scrubbing, sorting. Also word finds. And doggy love.
Thank you for the reminder. As the days get longer I look forward to enjoying my garden more too, building memories…
I look forward to your posts dropping into my inbox, they always centre me a little, Thankyou xx