My Thumb Isn’t So Brown After All
Let’s be honest, my history with plants is…spotty at best. I’m the queen of accidentally drowning succulents and forgetting to water ferns (RIP, Fernie). So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a peace lily for my birthday, I accepted with a smile and a silent prayer. I named him Percy, figuring a little anthropomorphizing might guilt me into keeping him alive.
Percy and I got off to a rocky start. I overwatered him within the first week (classic rookie mistake!), leading to droopy leaves and a distinct air of despair. I panicked, frantically Googling “how to save a dying peace lily” while visions of becoming a plant murderer danced in my head. Little did I know, this near-death experience would be the start of Percy teaching me some unexpected life lessons.
After the Great Drowning of 2023, I learned that peace lilies actually prefer their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Who knew? Apparently, everyone but me. So, I adjusted my approach, giving Percy space to breathe (literally) and only watering him when the soil was dry to the touch. And guess what? He perked right up!
This experience got me thinking about my own life. How often do I push myself to the limit, forgetting to take breaks and recharge? Just like Percy, I need moments of rest and rejuvenation to thrive. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is…nothing at all.
Lesson #2: Embracing the Journey: Growth Isn’t Always Visible
For months, Percy seemed content just existing. He wasn’t dying (hooray!), but he wasn’t exactly flourishing either. I’d scroll through Instagram, bombarded with images of everyone else’s lush, photogenic plants, and feel a pang of envy. Was Percy just destined to be…average?
Then, one day, I noticed something incredible. Hidden amongst the familiar leaves was a single, delicate stalk, reaching towards the sunlight. A new leaf! Percy had been growing this whole time, quietly and steadily, even when I couldn’t see it.
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