Posted in Personal Essay

The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

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The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant


My Brown Thumb Gets a Green Roommate

Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing nature. My thumbs are less green and more… beige? Okay, maybe even a touch brown after that unfortunate cactus incident. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a leafy, vibrant peace lily, I accepted with a smile and a silent prayer for the poor plant‘s soul.

plant parenting thing before. It usually ended with me mourning over a pot of crunchy brown leaves, whispering apologies to the plant’s ghost. But this time, something felt different. Maybe it was the peace lily’s vibrant green leaves, or maybe it was the sheer terror of disappointing my friend. Whatever it was, I was determined to keep this plant alive.

Lesson #1: Consistency is Key (Even When You’d Rather Be Napping)

Turns out, keeping a plant alive requires a bit more than just remembering it exists (who knew?). My peace lily, which I affectionately named Ferdinand, needed regular watering, but not too much! Overwatering, I learned the hard way, is a thing. Ferdinand taught me that consistency is crucial, even when life gets busy (or you’d rather be binge-watching reality TV).

Just like Ferdinand thrived on a regular watering schedule, I realized that many aspects of my own life benefited from consistency. From sticking to a workout routine to pursuing my creative passions, showing up consistently, even in small ways, made a world of difference.

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