The flowers are blooming, the bees have awoken and gotten to work – Spring (and pollen!) is in the air. The optimism of the warmer weather, the sunshine, and all the green thumbs in-line at the Lowe’s garden center is nearly irresistible.
My wife is a gardener, and she’s just started collecting the various seeds she intends to plant this year. A wide variety of vegetables, peppers, and native wildflower seed packs lay in neat grids across our kitchen table awaiting the day they each get pressed expectantly into soil.
Last year, she found out the hard way that simply planting the seeds is not enough to reap a bountiful harvest. Yes, the garden beds got some sunshine and regular water/rain – but the soil quality was poor. My wife had no idea, and nearly all of the plants suffered due to this often-overlooked issue. A healthy garden requires rich soil, and rich soil takes loads of time and attention to develop and balance properly, with compost and the like.
Your mental health is a lot like a garden. You may have several seeds of change or self-improvement that you are ready to plant:
- “I want to finally get sober this year.”
- “I want to take better care of my body.”
- “I want to manage my depression and anxiety more intentionally.”
These thoughts are all lovely and well-intentioned, but they are just seeds. If you plant these thoughts without any attention or action afterwards, you may not see the results you’re hoping for.
In order for these seed-thoughts to sprout, grow, and bear fruit, you must attend to the soil of your surroundings. These surroundings include the people you are in relationship with, the places you spend your time, and the things you choose to do. Ask yourself – are the people, places, and things in your life supportive of a health mental garden?
Achieving healthy mind-and-body-soil may require some tough decisions, such as:
- Setting boundaries with people who don’t treat you well or support your growth.
- Practicing new routines with daily discipline, even at the expense of your time.
- Reaching out for professional help to work through your difficult symptoms.
Don’t stop at just planting seeds and hoping for the best. Do the next right thing for yourself to cultivate wellness inside and outside. If you or someone you know needs support, The Willow Center is here for you – please give us a call.
Written by Chase Cotten, Operations & Community Director
Reviewed by Ashley English, LAC
