You're more like a plant than you think...
Three lessons I learned from my plant disaster
Year ago, I rescued the most beautiful heartleaf philodendron from the clearance shelf at Aldi, repotting it so its roots had plenty of room to grow and spread.
It sat happily in the corner of my dining room, growing lush and full and beautiful. When the tendrils grew long, I wound them around inside the pot so they’d take root.
This plant brought me so much joy to look at.
And Saturday I accidentally knocked over the plant stand; my plant crashed to the floor, the pot split cleanly in two.
At first I thought it was no big deal. I rounded up another pot, a fresh bag of potting soil, and figured I’d simply transfer the plant to its new pot.
It didn’t take me long to realize it’d be harder than I thought.
The lush greenery was a tangled, top heavy mess. And there were just six or seven stems with roots anchored into the soil.
I did the only thing there was to do - Start all over again.
I carefully snipped lengths of vine and put them in water to root.
As I did, I thought of the many lessons I could learn from this experience. Here are three of my favorites.
Pay attention to what’s under the surface
It’s easy to think because we can’t see something that it doesn’t matter. And it’s easier still to not think at all of things we can’t see. But some of the most important parts of our lives can’t be seen with our eyes:
Our feelings. Our memories. Our trauma.
Even when we’re doing fine, when by all external measures we look like we’re successful and healthy and whole, there may be things under the surface that aren’t in as good a shape as they seem.
What would it look like if we made the time to look inward to check on the health of our roots?
If, on the regular, we took the opportunity to do an inventory of our beliefs and how well they’re serving us?
If we were able to take the pulse of how we feel about ourselves, how much love we’re able to give to us?
To make sure we have a strong, stable foundation so if we get knocked over, we can simply pick ourselves back up, pop ourselves into new dirt, and be as beautiful as ever?
And what if we remembered to be compassionate to others since there’s so much we can’t see?
We deserve all of this.
We decide the direction of our energy
Just like plants know when it’s time to send energy down to the roots and when to focus on their foliage, we also get to determine the direction we send our energy.
Every day, every moment, we get to choose if we send our energy inward, focusing on strengthening ourselves, loving ourselves, growing in compassion and kindness, or if we send our energy outward to focus on what others can see.
There are times and seasons for both. And when we practice listening inward, we can know what is needed.
We can even take our cues from nature: In the fall and winter, I naturally slow down. I crave comfort at home, restorative practices that feel good to my soul, extra reflection in my journal.
When the earth wakes up in the spring, I wake up with it, seeking more opportunities to be in the world, and with my hands in the dirt, doing my part to help it be more beautiful and to bring joy to my family and neighbors.
Through conscientious practice, we can know which direction our energy is craving to go, and where it’s most needed.
We can have a new beginning whenever we choose
Plants have the most beautiful ability to be resilient. We can snip a sprig, pop it into water to root, and have another plant before we know it.
That’s what kept me calm when I realized repotting my philodendron wasn’t a good option. I knew that it’d be okay if I cut it and let it start over.
We can, like a plant, choose a new beginning whenever we want or need one.
Sure, there’s our typical January 1 do-over, but we’re not limited to it. We can choose a new start in the fall when the academic year is back in session. We can choose the summer solstice. We can choose any day we wish to start over.
Even on a Tuesday at 2pm if that’s when we’re ready.
It’s easy to forget in our hustle and bustle that we get as many do-overs as we want. It’s not cheating.
Journaling is the tool that can help us with all of this!
It’s amazing how much like plants we are, and how easy it is to forget that we need care. Just because things look pretty on the surface, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges or problems to address.
I’m grateful every day for a journaling practice that supports me as I look inward. It helps me strengthen my roots as I get to know myself, have compassion for myself, and love myself more fully.
Journaling helps me to identify where my energy is going and gives me a platform to decide if I like it and, if not, how I want to do things better or differently.
It is through journaling that I identify what new beginning I need, whether it’s a complete fresh start or just a few tweaks here or there. It’s where I assess how I’m doing, I set goals, I hold myself accountable, and I celebrate the progress I make.
Take the time to take care of you. Give yourself a little extra sunshine. Drink a glass of water. Speak kindly to yourself. Journal a little more often. You deserve it.
And see how it helps you grow. 🌱💛
Journal Prompts
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 often do you take an inventory of what’s happening inside you?
Is there a nagging worry or issue you’ve been ignoring for too long that could use a little love and care?
How can you show yourself extra love and kindness today?
Who in your life needs you to show them some extra compassion?
Which direction does your energy need to be focused today so you can best care for yourself?
What can you do today to give yourself a fresh start, even in one small area of your life?
One Journaling Idea
Weekly Reflection
Carve out time each week to reflect on your life and your goals. What is going well? What needs some attention? Where are you making progress? What do you need to re-evaluate? What can you celebrate for?
See how much momentum this weekly reflection can give you to keep working toward your goals!
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More Good Stuff
Save on Your Next Journal
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Happy Journaling!
Such a beautiful metaphor, Amanda. And I love that although you've had to - to quote you directly - 'start all over again' with the philodendron, well, no, not quite. Because you had history with it already, and it's a new start for your lives together but you're neither of you starting from nothing.
New starts so often have existing wisdom and experience behind them: even when we're starting something from scratch again we have the benefit of what we've already lived through.
Hurrah for new growth! And a new start whatever day of the week/month/year.
I loved everything about this post - thank you so much. 😊🌱