My Thumbs Were Anything But Green
Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing instincts. In fact, my friends joke that I could kill a cactus with kindness (or, more accurately, a complete lack of attention). So, when I decided to bring a houseplant home, let’s just say there was a healthy dose of skepticism in the air.
Lesson #1: Sometimes, Less Is More (Especially With Watering)
My first mistake? Love bombing. I showered my new plant with attention, watering it every day, convinced I was providing the perfect amount of hydration. Turns out, peace lilies, like most living things, don’t appreciate being drowned in affection (or water).
Within a week, my once-perky plant was drooping, its leaves turning an alarming shade of yellow. Panic set in. Had I already killed it? A frantic Google search revealed the error of my ways: overwatering. Who knew that sometimes, the best way to care for something is to give it space to breathe?
It was a valuable lesson, and one that extends far beyond the realm of houseplants. How often do we smother the people we love with good intentions, only to realize that what they really need is room to grow on their own?
Lesson #2: Celebrating Small Victories and Slow Growth
After my near-drowning incident, I learned to back off. I followed the recommended watering schedule religiously, giving my peace lily just enough to survive. And slowly, ever so slowly, it began to recover.
It wasn’t an overnight transformation. There were weeks where it seemed like nothing was happening, followed by days when I swore a new leaf was about to unfurl. The progress was subtle, but it was there. And each tiny sign of life filled me with an unexpected sense of accomplishment.