Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: green living

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant


    My Thumb Is Not So Green

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing nature. I’m more of a “forget to water myself” kind of person, let alone another living thing. So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a houseplant—a supposedly “easy to care for” peace lily—I accepted with a mix of skepticism and terror. I mean, I’d successfully killed a cactus once. A CACTUS!

    But this little plant, with its deep green leaves and surprisingly resilient disposition, ended up teaching me more than I could have ever imagined. Who knew such profound wisdom could sprout from a pot of soil?

    Plant Parents)

    My first lesson came in the form of a droopy, sad-looking plant. I’d overwatered it. In my enthusiasm to not be a plant murderer, I’d drowned the poor thing. Thankfully, after some frantic Googling and a whole lot of apologizing to the peace lily, I managed to revive it. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.

    Turns out, plants, like people, thrive on consistency, not sporadic bursts of attention. Who knew? (Okay, maybe everyone else, but I was clearly late to the plant-whispering party). Learning to be patient, to observe and respond to its subtle cues—a slightly wilted leaf, a drooping stem—was an exercise in mindfulness I didn’t know I needed.

    Growth Takes Time (and the Occasional Repotting)

    As the weeks turned into months, my little peace lily, much to my surprise, actually started to thrive. It sprouted new leaves, its roots grew strong, and it even graced me with a beautiful white bloom. I was ecstatic! But then, just as I was starting to think I’d graduated from Plant Killer to Plant Whisperer, it started to wilt again.

    Turns out, even with the best care, sometimes you need to shake things up a bit. My plant had simply outgrown its pot. It was time for a change, a chance to spread its roots and reach new heights.

    This, I realized, applied to my own life too. There were times when I needed to step outside my comfort zone, to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth, even if it meant feeling a little uncomfortable at first. Just like my peace lily, I needed space to blossom.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant


    My Green Thumb? More Like a Green Pinky Finger

    Let’s be honest, my thumbs have never been particularly green. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re closer to a pale pink, especially when it comes to keeping plants alive. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a sprightly little fern for my birthday, I accepted it with a mix of gratitude and trepidation.

    Little did I know, this fern would become more than just a decorative element in my living room. It would become my unlikely life coach, silently dispensing wisdom through its leafy existence. Who knew?

    Lesson #1: Patience is a Virtue (and Crucial for Plant Parents)

    My first lesson came in the form of drooping fronds. Convinced I was overwatering (a classic novice mistake), I panicked and drowned the poor fern in even more water. Turns out, ferns like their soil consistently moist, not soaking wet. This is where the patience part comes in.

    Instead of frantically Googling “how to revive a drowning fern” every five minutes, I learned to observe, to water slowly, and to wait. To my surprise, the fern bounced back, teaching me that sometimes the best course of action is to chill out and let nature do its thing.

    Lesson #2: Growth is a Journey, Not a Race

    As weeks turned into months, my fern grew, albeit slowly. It wasn’t a dramatic, overnight transformation, but a gradual unfurling of new fronds, each one a small victory. I realized that growth, much like life, isn’t always linear or Instagram-worthy.

    There were also times when my fern needed a little help. A bit of fertilizer here, a new pot there. This taught me that asking for help, whether it’s from a gardening expert or a trusted friend, isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of wisdom.

  • The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)



    Plant Parent: My Story

    Let’s be honest, I used to be a plant killer. I’m talking serial succulent assassin, notorious cactus crusher. If a plant had the misfortune of entering my home, its life expectancy plummeted faster than my patience during rush hour traffic. But something changed last year. Maybe it was the pandemic-induced need for some living, breathing company that wasn’t on a screen. Maybe it was a desperate attempt to bring some life into my apartment, which, let’s face it, resembled a very organized storage unit. Whatever it was, I decided to give plant parenthood another shot.

    And guess what? I didn’t kill them! In fact, they thrived. And so did I. Turns out, being a plant parent comes with a whole host of unexpected joys.

    Stress Relief: Finding Zen One Leaf at a Time

    Remember that feeling of accomplishment you got from finishing a puzzle? Or the pure joy of finally conquering that impossible level on your favorite video game? That’s the feeling I get every time I see a new leaf unfurl on my monstera. It’s a small victory, sure, but it’s a victory nonetheless.

    There’s something incredibly therapeutic about caring for plants. The act of watering, pruning, and even just observing them can melt away stress like sunshine on a snowdrift. And the best part? They don’t judge your messy bun or your questionable dance moves while you’re repotting them (unlike certain furry companions).

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




    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. In fact, my friends joke that I could kill a cactus with kindness (or more accurately, forgetfulness). So, when my well-intentioned sister gifted me a houseplant for my birthday, my initial reaction was a mix of terror and “Oh no, not again!”

    It was a cute little thing, nestled in a cheerful pot, with bright green leaves that seemed to practically vibrate with life. I christened him Percy (because, duh, all living things deserve names) and placed him on my windowsill, determined to prove my brown thumb wrong.

    Lesson #1: Patience is a Virtue (and Essential for Plant Care)

    Now, I’m a millennial, which means I thrive on instant gratification. But Percy, in his quiet, leafy wisdom, taught me the importance of patience. I couldn’t expect him to sprout new leaves overnight just because I wanted him to. Growth takes time, both for plants and for people. Just like I shouldn’t obsessively refresh my inbox waiting for important emails, I couldn’t hover over Percy, willing him to flourish.

    Instead, I learned to appreciate the subtle changes: a new leaf unfurling, a stem stretching towards the sunlight. And you know what? Witnessing those small victories was far more rewarding than any instant gratification I could have imagined.

    Lesson #2: The Delicate Balance of Watering: Less is More

    This lesson was a tough one, learned through a series of unfortunate, soggy mishaps. In my mind, more water equaled more love. However, Percy, bless his roots, taught me that sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to back off and give some space.

    You see, I had a tendency to overwater. I showered Percy with affection (read: excessive H2O) until his poor leaves drooped and turned an alarming shade of yellow. It was then I discovered the delicate balance between care and suffocation.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


    We’ve all been there. Scrolling through Instagram, you stumble upon a picture-perfect apartment boasting a jungle of thriving houseplants. Suddenly, your own humble abode feels severely lacking in the greenery department. That’s how I ended up, one impulsive shopping trip later, with a majestic (or so I thought) fern gracing my windowsill. Little did I know, this fern would teach me more than just how to keep a plant alive.

    Lesson #1: Patience is a Virtue (and so is Google)

    My first attempt at plant parenthood can only be described as “overenthusiastic.” I watered my fern religiously, convinced that more H2O equaled more happiness. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. In fact, my poor fern started to droop, its once-vibrant fronds turning a sickly shade of yellow. Panic set in. Was I a plant murderer already?

    Cue frantic Googling. Turns out, ferns are a bit dramatic. They like their soil moist but not soggy, and overwatering is a one-way ticket to Root Rot City (population: my dying fern). I learned, through trial and error (mostly error), the delicate dance of watering, drainage, and the importance of proper plant care research. Who knew there was so much to know about keeping a fern alive?

    fern, I eagerly awaited its triumphant return to its former glory. Days turned into weeks, and while it was no longer on the verge of collapse, it wasn’t exactly thriving either. It seemed stuck, frozen in a state of mediocre greenness.

    A quick internet search revealed another plant-parenting pro tip: sometimes, you need to prune away the dead weight to make way for new growth. Armed with a pair of kitchen scissors (don’t judge), I hesitantly snipped away the brown, crispy fronds. It felt brutal, like giving the plant a bad haircut. But guess what? New growth sprouted, healthier and more vibrant than before. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, letting go of the past is essential for future flourishing.

    Lesson #3: Celebrate Small Victories (Like New Fronds)

    Here’s the funny thing about plants: they don’t care about your grand plans or your need for instant gratification. They grow at their own pace, in their own time. But when they do finally flourish, it’s pure magic. Witnessing a new frond unfurl, a tiny bud bloom, it fills you with a sense of quiet accomplishment. It’s a reminder to appreciate the small victories, the subtle signs of progress, in both the plant world and in life.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    My Brown Thumb Meets its Green Match: Introducing Percy the ZZ Plant

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing nature. In fact, my thumbs are practically the opposite of green. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a houseplant – a supposedly “easy to care for” ZZ plant – I accepted it with the grace of a gazelle accepting a ride from a lion. I knew the odds were stacked against us.

    And, predictably, our relationship got off to a rocky start. I overwatered it, then underwatered it, then forgot about it entirely for a solid two weeks. My poor ZZ plant, christened Percy (because why not give a plant a personality?), began to resemble something you’d find on the sad, discounted shelf at the garden center.

    Percy in the compost bin (don’t judge, we’ve all been there), I decided to give him one last shot. I researched proper ZZ plant care, repotted him with fresh soil, and found him a sunny spot by the window. And guess what? Percy, the resilient little guy, bounced back. He sprouted new growth, his leaves perked up, and he even seemed to develop a sort of… swagger?

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant



    houseplant casually perched on a shelf, radiating an aura of effortless serenity.

    “I need that,” I told myself, gazing at my own reflection in the dusty monitor. “A plant. That’s what’s missing from my life.”

    Operation Green Thumb: From Enthusiasm to Near-Disaster

    My journey into the world of indoor greenery started with the same enthusiasm I reserve for starting (and promptly abandoning) ambitious knitting projects. I envisioned myself as a modern-day plant whisperer, nurturing life and cultivating an oasis of calm in my otherwise chaotic apartment.

    plant mister (because, you know, humidity). My new leafy roommate seemed happy, even sprouting a new leaf. “See,” I told my skeptical cat, “I told you I could do this!”

    Then, life happened. Work deadlines piled up, social engagements filled my calendar, and my well-intentioned plant care routine flew out the window faster than you can say “overwatering.”

    Lesson #1: Neglect Taught Me About Resilience

    I’m ashamed to admit it, but there were weeks when my poor plant didn’t see a single drop of water. Its once-vibrant leaves drooped, turning a sickly shade of yellow. I felt a pang of guilt, of course, but mostly, I felt like a failure.

    But then, something interesting happened. Just when I was about to give up and relegate my poor plant to the compost bin of forgotten dreams, I noticed something: a tiny green shoot emerging from the base. It was as if the plant was saying, “Hey, I’m still here! I’m not giving up on you, so don’t give up on me!”

    That’s when it hit me: even when neglected, even when we feel like we’re wilting under the pressures of life, there’s a resilience within us that can’t be extinguished. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of hope—a tiny green shoot—to remind us that we’re capable of bouncing back.

    Lesson #2: Houseplants (and Life) Thrive with Less Control

    After my near-death experience with my plant (sorry, buddy!), I decided to do some research. Turns out, overwatering is a rookie mistake. Who knew?

  • Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer: The Unexpected Joys of Plant Parenthood (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be honest, I used to be a plant serial killer. I’d walk into the garden center with the best intentions, promising myself (and the poor, unsuspecting fern) that this time would be different. But alas, my track record spoke for itself: a graveyard of neglected succulents and overwatered peace lilies.

    Then something changed. Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it was a quarter-life crisis, or maybe it was the realization that my apartment looked remarkably like a beige box. Whatever it was, I decided to give plant parenthood another shot. And you know what? It’s been one of the most rewarding (and hilarious) experiences of my life.

    Plant Therapy!

    Who knew that watching a leaf unfurl could be so darn therapeutic? Seriously, there’s something incredibly calming about tending to your plants. The act of watering, pruning, and even just talking to them (don’t judge!) can melt away the day’s stresses. Plus, unlike my goldfish growing up, they don’t stare back with judgment when I inevitably forget to feed them for a week (sorry, Finny).

    Here are a few ways my plant babies have become my own personal therapists:

    • Mindful moments: Caring for plants forces me to slow down and be present. No more scrolling through social media while simultaneously burning dinner!
    • Sense of accomplishment: Every new leaf, bloom, or even just a plant that doesn’t die on me feels like a major victory. Take that, self-doubt!
    • Connection to nature: Living in a concrete jungle, it’s easy to forget the beauty of the natural world. My plants bring a little bit of the outdoors in, even if it’s just a rogue spider plant hanging from the ceiling.

    From Drab to Fab: Plants as Interior Design Hacks

    Remember that beige box I mentioned earlier? Well, let’s just say my plants have done wonders for my apartment’s aesthetic. A pop of green here, a trailing vine there, and suddenly my place looks like it belongs in an interior design magazine (or at least a slightly cooler version of my grandma’s house).

    And the best part? Plants are like living art! They add texture, color, and life to a room in a way that no mass-produced print ever could. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter. Just be prepared for questions like, “Is that a real plant?” or “How do you keep it alive?!”

  • The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)

    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)




    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Should Join the Club)


    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be honest, before I discovered the wonderful world of plants, my thumbs were about as green as a charcoal briquette. I’d managed to kill a cactus, for crying out loud! But something changed last year. Maybe it was the pandemic-induced need for a connection to nature, or maybe it was just pure boredom, but I decided to give this whole plant thing another go. And boy, am I glad I did!

    Turns out, being a plant parent comes with a whole host of unexpected joys, benefits I never saw coming. So, if you’re on the fence about joining the club, let me share some reasons why you absolutely should.

    Stress Relief: Watch Your Worries Evaporate with Plants

    Remember that feeling you get when you finally clock out after a long day? Now imagine that feeling, but instead of collapsing on the couch, you’re surrounded by lush greenery, the air filled with the subtle scent of fresh soil. That’s the magic of plants, my friends.

    Studies have shown that being around plants can actually reduce stress hormones. Something about nurturing another living thing, even if it only communicates through subtle growth spurts, just melts away the tension. Plus, caring for plants provides a welcome distraction from the daily grind. It’s like meditation, but with more leaves.

    A variety of indoor plants arranged beautifully on shelves and hanging from the ceiling
  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    My Thumb Isn’t So Green

    Okay, let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my gardening prowess. In fact, my idea of “communing with nature” involves admiring the perfectly manicured lawns of my neighbors from the comfort of my air-conditioned living room. So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a houseplant for my birthday, I accepted it with a smile…and a healthy dose of apprehension.

    This wasn’t just any houseplant, mind you. This was a delicate, leafy creature with a Latin name I couldn’t pronounce and care instructions longer than my grocery list. I’m pretty sure my friend even winked and said something about “seeing if I could keep something alive for once.” Challenge accepted, I thought, little realizing the profound impact this little pot of chlorophyll would have on my life.

    plant, bless its heart, responded with a series of dramatic wilts, drooping leaves, and suspicious brown spots.

    Just when I was about to toss in the trowel (figuratively, of course, because I’m not sure I even own a trowel), I had an epiphany: Google! Turns out, there’s an entire online community dedicated to keeping houseplants alive, complete with forums, blog posts, and even YouTube tutorials. Imagine that!

    Armed with newfound knowledge and a healthy dose of humility, I adjusted my approach. I learned about proper drainage, the importance of sunlight (who knew?), and the delicate art of fertilizing. Slowly but surely, my plant started to thrive. It even sprouted a new leaf, which I may or may not have teared up over.

    This seemingly insignificant victory taught me a valuable lesson about patience. Just like nurturing a plant takes time and consistent effort, so too does achieving our goals in life. It’s about taking small steps, learning from our mistakes, and never giving up hope, even when things seem bleak.

    Lesson #2: Even the Strongest Need Support

    As my plant grew taller and more vibrant, I noticed something interesting. Its stems, once sturdy and upright, were starting to lean towards the sunlight. It seemed my little green friend needed a little help staying upright.

    Enter the humble plant stake. With a little bit of support, my plant was able to stand tall and reach its full potential. It was a simple act, but it got me thinking about the importance of support in our own lives.

    We all need people in our corner, cheering us on, offering a helping hand, or simply lending an ear when things get tough. Whether it’s our family, friends, mentors, or even a supportive online community, having a strong support system can make all the difference in the world.