If You Were a Garden, Which Would You Be?
Spring – the birds are singing and the flowers blooming. Gardens are emerging whether they are being newly planted or starting to poke through the warm ground after winter has passed.
It seems rather fitting that as spring is upon us, so is the possibility of our world opening back up after this long battle with COVID. It is the perfect opportunity to start fresh in many aspects of life and really tune in to how you want to show up.
I’m feeling like a cottage garden. Randomly beautiful. So many things to see that vie for attention. There are the foundation plants – the anchor perennials. You can count on them to be there throughout the year and provide some consistency to the garden. Then the annuals that are sprinkled in for pops of color and interest show up. Cottage gardens can look chaotic to some. There’s a lot going on for sure. Is it a weed or a seed that was sown, dropped by a bird or blown from the wind and just now making its entrance into the world? They may feel haphazard but if you look closely, you can see they are intentionally created.
Contrast that to an English garden that is very tailored and methodical. You can tell exactly what is a weed and what is out of place.
As a professional organizer and now a life and productivity coach, I sometimes feel I’m expected to be an English garden all the time. There’s a lot of comfort in knowing exactly where to be and how I’m expected to show up. But in my heart, I love being a cottage garden. Ideas flowing, some fleeting like those annuals and not even sure from where or how a random idea has taken root.
When I embody a cottage garden, I’m easily distracted, not wanting to stick with any one project. I’m in ‘ideas mode’. Great for creativity. Not so great for diligently working through what needs to be done.
When I embody an English garden, there is calm and order. I use my calendar, brain dump and prioritize religiously. I know exactly when and where I need to be. But if I’m being honest, not a lot of creativity happens for me in this space.
What kind of garden are you? Depending how you’re feeling, here are some ways to welcome in spring.
Cottage –loose, breezy and colorful
Don’t worry about the final product, just play and be creative. Want to explore a new hobby? Go for it. Not sure what you want? That’s OK too. Dabble and follow your heart.
Be spontaneous. Want to sway in the spring breeze and let it take you where it may with no set path or plan? Great…enjoy!
English – structured and orderly
Use a timer. Spend 15 minutes at a time chipping away at those big projects. Whether it’s piles of laundry or a marketing plan tackle it slowly and methodically.
Southwest desert – dry, sandy and prickly on the outside protecting the soft squishy inside
Boundaries anybody? Say ‘no’ more often.
Zen – calm and centered
You know exactly where you are and what you need and all is right with the world.
Bonsai – precisely manicured and needing meticulous attention
Ask for help and articulate what you need to yourself and those around you.
French culinary – abundant and always giving
Give to others as long as it is fueling you. Maybe it’s time to volunteer?
Lawn – needing plenty of water and constant maintenance
Are you demanding too much of yourself?
Accept the beauty of each garden for exactly what it is.
Take the time to slow down, enjoy and really see what is coming to life in and around you. This is truly a beautiful time of year. Appreciate it and as always…