#3 - Spring

Spring!

A time when social media persuades me that my garden would be better off barren.

Here are 3 seeds I'm throwing your way this week.

(And thank you for the feedback so far, this newsletter is a work in progress - I will continue to plant and prune..)

Gardening thoughts

Weeds don't ask for permission.

They show up and, if, like me, you have started to grow an attachment to maintaining some level of gardening pride, they are annoying.

Same with overthinking. One minute I'm planning something and trying to get things in order, and then the thoughts come along and steal my attention.

Pluck one out? It grows back.

I look out my window and all I see are weeds.

Fortunately, I can schedule weeding time ("worry time" in CBT). I can make it fun and meaningful by involving my kids too! (“Behavioural activation”, CBT)

I can do it knowing that it won't be perfect and won't be complete(ever!).
Self-compassion.

Planting seeds

I love brainstorming and coming up with ideas, but if there's no progress, that motivation, gosh, it sure disappears quickly.

I planted 10 spring onion heads about 2 weeks ago. 2 made it. They look half-dead. Turns out pure optimism isn’t all that nurturing.

I wasn't consistent with watering.

And I can't say it's that fun to stare at dirt.

That might be the whole point though, slow down. Nourish the seed, commit to giving it some care.

If it matters, actually do the research and don't just chuck it into the ground, fingers crossed.

What seed of yours deserves some water this week?

Pruning

Serious self-care. You have to cut to grow.

For the first time, I heard about plants being "stressed" if you cut their branches. Turns out you need to:

• cut those dead branches (unnecessary),

• remove the ones that are rubbing against each other (prioritise),

• and make sure there is airflow (downtime).

Over time, the existing branches get stronger, and the tree itself is healthier.

You also get to shape it, agency is earned.

Where does that apply for you? Emails, Calendar, other commitments?

Not really weeding, but close enough