My Brown Thumb Turns Green(ish)
Let’s be honest, my thumbs have never been known for their verdant touch. In fact, I’m pretty sure my houseplants considered wearing tiny “hazmat” suits around me. I’m the queen of accidentally drowning succulents and forgetting to water ferns (RIP, Fernie). But, something shifted recently. Maybe it was a pandemic-induced desire for more greenery, or perhaps I just needed a tiny life to keep alive that didn’t talk back. Whatever the reason, a cheerful little peace lily named Percy entered my life.
Percy, bless his heart, was a drama queen from day one. One minute his leaves were drooping like sad eyebrows, the next he was perky and proud. It took me a while (and several frantic Google searches) to realize that plants, like people, have their own rhythms. They need time to adjust, to grow, to thrive. Just because I didn’t see immediate results from my watering schedule didn’t mean I was failing. Sometimes, you just need to chill out and let things unfold naturally.
Lesson 2: Learning to Listen: From Leaves to Life
As I got to know Percy better (yes, we’re on a first-name basis now), I started to notice subtle cues. A slight droop in his leaves meant he was thirsty. A new leaf unfurling signaled he was happy. Turns out, plants are pretty good at communicating their needs; we just need to pay attention. This got me thinking about how often I ignore my own internal signals. That nagging feeling that I need a break, the burst of energy when I’m doing something I love – maybe I should listen to those more often, too.