This year started with people talking about the upcoming election, overrated New Year’s resolutions, AI, and the art of self-care. These conversations happen in boardrooms, around dinner tables, among colleagues, and with friends. In a culture where everything can be mapped and measured, and Oura wearing devices can give you confidence or make you realize just how off you are from your self-improvement goals, it is refreshing to know there are options for taking care of your nutritional and mental health at the same time you are taking care of the planet.
How you feel about yourself directly impacts how you “self-care.” We live in a world where instant results are ever-present, and the rules of well-being have changed for everyone – including employers. The reality is, self-care is not selfish. It may not happen every day, but keeping it on our to-do list is something that we all need to do. If you find yourself in yoga class doing the downward dog and only thinking about how you compare to everyone else, then you may need to revisit what self-care really means to you.
We need to own our goals and give ourselves grace (even when Lucky Charms is what’s for dinner). How do we see ourselves? My guess is not how others see us. If we were as thoughtful to ourselves as we are to our friends and colleagues, our days would be better.
So, how does gardening fit into self-care? It’s a question I’m often asked and love to address. The unique benefits of getting a little dirty, connecting with nature, growing something you can eat and share with your family, or simply appreciating everyday life by being close to nature where you work have all been well-researched and documented. The joy and satisfaction that come from gardening, along with its well-documented benefits, make it a seamless way to integrate self-care into your wellness journey. Remember that wellness is not a destination but a journey that starts with microsteps of change.
The goal is that by the end of December 2024, you can confidently say, ‘This was my year. I feel better about myself and grew in the ways that matter to my overall well-being.’ Give yourself and everyone who works with you, lives with you, and admires you the cultural permission to prioritize themselves on their own to-do list. Be the mirror.
Until next time, I’ll be in the garden.
Donna
