The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


My Brown Thumb Gets Greener

Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my green thumb. In fact, my history with plants is littered with more casualties than a battle royale game. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a peace lily, I accepted it with the grim determination of a hospice nurse. “Don’t worry,” I told her, “I’ll do my best.” Little did I know, this unassuming plant would teach me more than just how to keep something alive. It would teach me about life itself.

peace lily started to droop. Its leaves turned an alarming shade of yellow, and I swear I heard it sigh in despair. Panicked, I consulted the internet, the oracle of all modern-day problems. To my surprise, I was overdoing it! The constant watering was suffocating the roots, the direct sunlight was scorching its leaves, and the Mozart… well, let’s just say plants have different taste in music.

Reluctantly, I cut back on my well-intentioned, yet misguided, care. I watered it less, moved it to a shadier spot, and traded Mozart for some chill lo-fi beats. And guess what? It worked! My peace lily perked up, its leaves regained their vibrant green color, and I swear I saw a new leaf bud. That’s when it hit me: sometimes, less is more. Just like in life, trying too hard, overthinking, and forcing things can do more harm than good. Sometimes, the best approach is to relax, step back, and let things unfold naturally.

Lesson #2: Resilience is a Beautiful Thing

Life gets busy, and there were times when I completely forgot about my peace lily. I’d come home exhausted, barely remembering to feed myself, let alone a plant. But even after weeks of neglect, my resilient little buddy would bounce back with a little TLC. A little water, some indirect sunlight, and it was good as new.

Seeing this unwavering resilience in a plant made me realize the incredible strength we all possess. We all go through periods of neglect, hardship, and forgetfulness. But just like my peace lily, we have the remarkable ability to bounce back, stronger and more vibrant than before. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws our way, we have the inner strength to overcome it.