Is it time to pull some weeds?

When people find out I'm a Master Gardener,
They automatically assume that I have a beautiful, weed-free yard.

Here's my confession: I kind of like weeds.
Some of them anyway.

They're generally fast-growing, and so many of them are lovely,
Bringing pollinators to my yard.

If I can, I let them be.

Because, really, what makes a weed?

A plant that grows where we don’t want it to?
Something “wrong” with nature?
A problem for us to fix?

Let’s look at dandelions.

It’s easy to think of them as a nuisance when they pop up in your impeccably manicured lawn.

But they do more good than most of us realize:

• They’re the first food for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in the spring

• Their long roots loosen and aerate the soil, and fertilize it by making calcium more available for other plants

• They’re edible - the roots, the leaves, and the flowers - and nutritious, full of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and potassium

• They have medicinal properties and can be used to support the digestive system

• They can even be used as a natural dye for fabric or yarn

Plus they bring vivid, happy color to our world.
Looking at them in this way can change our whole perspective.

But other weeds aren’t so helpful.

This weekend I realized that garlic mustard has invaded my yard.
It’s an invasive weed in my area that can be problematic if not checked.

Amanda’s hand holding some freshly pulled garlic mustard plants

They are fast growing and fast spreading,
Using up nutrients and moisture that our native plants need,

And even releasing chemicals that change the composition of the soil, harming trees and other plants.

It’s a bummer.

Because they're kind of pretty -
Interestingly shaped leaves with delicate white blossoms.

And they’re a pain to pull out.
But if I let them grow, I’m doing myself, and my plants, a disservice.

I love thinking of my life as a garden.

And there are a lot of weeds within myself that I tolerate -
They're kind of charming, they aren't causing a problem,
They may even be helpful in some situations
So I let them be.

But sometimes there's an invasive -

Imposter syndrome
Unhealthy money behaviors
How I treat my body

That HAS to be pulled.
Because, left unchecked, it’ll choke out the qualities I want to cultivate.

But I can’t just pull the weeds willy-nilly.
I have to have a plan.

I need to figure out which ones are most important to take care of first
Because I can’t rid myself of them all at once.

It takes time.
Some are easier to pull.
Different methods are required.

And then I have to think about how I’m going to fill the space left behind.
Because it won’t stay empty for long:

Will I use the space to plant a beautiful flower or a tree?
Something intentional and wanted.

Or will I allow some other weed to grow there,
Because I’m not paying attention?

Journaling is my answer.
Or rather, it's how I find the answers.

How I identify whether something inside me is a charming quirk
Or if it’s a harmful quality that needs to go.

It’s where I figure out my game plan,
How I’ll change, grow, replace the undesirable trait with something better.

It’s when I can celebrate the progress I’m making,
Gaining the perspective to admire the beautiful garden I’m cultivating,
Enjoy the person I’m becoming.

Journaling helps me be an intentional gardener of my life.

How is the garden of your life growing?

“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to
satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because
someone expended effort on them. ” 
- Liberty Hyde Bailey

Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!

• How is the garden of your life growing?

• Which habits or tendencies of yours are harmful and need tending?

• How can you most effectively weed them?

• What will you plant in their place?

• How can you celebrate and enjoy the beautiful flowers you’re growing?

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One Journaling Idea I Love:

Self-Care Menu

When we’re sad, mad, frustrated, or dysregulated in any way, it can be difficult for us to remember in the moment what can help us feel better.

So in a good moment, take some time to think about what makes you feel good, what strategies you can call on to lift your mood and your spirits when you’re struggling.

Create for yourself a self-care menu that you can turn to when you’re feeling off and need a reminder on how to get yourself back on track.

My menu includes tending my plants, journaling, reading, talking with a friend, moving my body, yin yoga, getting outside, and taking a nap. What will you put on yours?

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Journal with Me!

Every month, I host a journaling mini-retreat designed to help you give yourself a little self-care. We spend an hour together journaling, sharing, and learning from and with each other. If you’ve ever been curious to see what group journaling is all about, I invite you to join us!

Wednesday, April 19
7:30 pm Eastern
Register HERE

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More Good Stuff

• Good Things Come to Those Who Journal: The Livestream - Tuesday at 8pm Eastern. This week I’ll be sharing tons of fun journaling ideas you probably haven’t tried yet. Tune in to LinkedIn, YouTube, or Facebook.

• Registration is open for my May journaling group, which begins on May 8. Our theme for the month is Better Money and we’ll be digging into our relationships with money, how our archetypes influence those relationships, and what we can do to improve and strengthen them so we can welcome more abundance in our lives. Want to see if it’d be a good fit for you? Let’s have a conversation!

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Happy Journaling!