Container Gardening

hibiscus

Convening with nature is a bright spot in my journey towards improved mental health. Granted, it’s only container gardening, but it’s so optimistic to see the new growth.  It helps to garden within limited constraints by keeping me within my boundaries, literally and metaphorically so I don’t feel overwhelmed and vulnerable. Practicing acceptance, sharpening the mind, decreasing stress all while in the fresh air helps with the confines of a daily work routine.

And I tend to go towards the big blooms like my hibiscus. Nice warm, welcoming colors soothe me. I realize red may not be a soothing color for some but I like the boldness of it. It reminds me of earlier days when I was more sociable. Two popular flowers that I don’t care much for are peonies and hydrangeas which remind me of funeral flowers for some reason. So indulging in these meditative moments as well as the extensive herb garden brings nostalgia and serenity to my day. Gardening helps me relax and release negative thoughts while escaping other people. “Flowers are restful to look at. They have no emotions or conflict,” said Freud.

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Author: angelagrey

Angela Grey is an Indigenous novelist, poet, and painter whose work explores the intersections of memory, identity, and healing. She, formerly an architectural drafter, studied creative writing, as well as spirituality and healing, at the University of Minnesota, where she deepened her commitment to storytelling as both an art and a form of medicine. Alongside her writing, Angela finds balance in yoga and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which shape the reflective quality of her work. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with her husband, one spirited pup, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she enjoys camping, budget travel to places like Maine, Oregon, and the coastal Carolinas, and gathering with family around a BBQ grill.

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