Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: indoor garden

  • The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Need More Plants in Your Life)

    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Need More Plants in Your Life)




    The Unexpected Joys of Being a Plant Parent (and Why You Need More Plants in Your Life)

    My Journey to Accidental Plant Lady (and Why Your Cat Might Approve)

    Let’s be honest, before I became a plant parent, my thumbs were about as brown as my morning coffee. I once managed to kill a cactus. A CACTUS. It was embarrassing, really. But then, something magical happened. My well-meaning friend, bless her soul, gifted me a peace lily for my birthday. And against all odds… it survived.

    That peace lily, my friends, was the gateway drug to a full-blown plant obsession. My apartment, once a haven of beige and dust bunnies (don’t judge), is now a veritable jungle. My cat, previously the undisputed queen of the domain, eyes the new leafy tenants with a mixture of suspicion and begrudging acceptance.

    Unexpected Perks of Living in a Jungle (The Good Kind of Jungle)

    Here’s the thing about plants – they’re not just pretty faces (although, let’s be real, they are stunning). They come with a whole host of benefits I never saw coming:

    1. Stress Reduction: Your Plants are Basically Therapists

    Remember that feeling when you finally manage to untangle your headphones after rummaging through your bag? That’s the kind of serene satisfaction I get from tending to my plants. Watering, pruning, even just misting those leafy babies – it’s oddly therapeutic. Plus, studies have shown that being around plants can actually reduce stress levels. Science, take a bow.

    2. Air Purification: Say Goodbye to Stale Air, Hello Freshness

    Confession time: I’m a sucker for those fancy air fresheners with names like “Mountain Breeze” and “Ocean Mist.” But let’s be real, they’re basically just glorified perfume bottles. Plants, on the other hand, are the real MVPs of air purification. They absorb toxins and release oxygen, making your home smell less like stale takeout and more like, well, nature.

  • 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)




    Confessions of a Recovering Plant Killer

    Okay, I’ll admit it. I haven’t always had the greenest thumb. In fact, I used to be a notorious plant killer. I’m talking serial succulent assassin, notorious cactus crusher. You name it, I probably managed to send it to plant heaven (or maybe plant purgatory, considering my track record). But then something strange happened. Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it was a sudden urge to nurture something other than my sourdough starter – whatever it was, I decided to give the whole plant parent thing another shot.

    And you know what? It’s been a wild ride. From unexpected triumphs (seriously, my ZZ plant is thriving) to hilarious mishaps (don’t ask about the Great Potting Soil Explosion of 2021), being a plant parent has brought a whole new level of joy (and chaos) to my life.

    Plants: The Unexpected Benefits of Indoor Green Therapy

    One of the biggest surprises? My plants have become my silent therapists. Seriously! There’s something incredibly calming about tending to your green companions after a long day. It’s like all the stress of the world melts away as you mist your ferns, check for new growth on your monstera, and maybe even have a little one-sided chat with your peace lily (don’t judge, we’ve all been there).

    Plus, there’s a real sense of accomplishment that comes with keeping a plant alive. Remember those days when I was practically a plant grim reaper? Well, now I’m like a plant whisperer. I can practically hear my spider plant whispering, “Thanks for not killing me, Jan.” (Okay, maybe I’m projecting a little, but you get the idea.)

    Life Lessons from the Plant World: Growth, Patience, and Imperfection

    But here’s the thing about plants – they don’t just teach you about responsibility, they also teach you about patience. Like, a lot of patience. You can’t rush a plant (believe me, I’ve tried), you just have to trust the process, give it what it needs, and wait. And sometimes, just when you’re about to give up hope, you’ll see a new leaf unfurling, reaching for the sunlight, and it’s like this tiny little miracle.

    Here are a few other life lessons I’ve picked up from my plant babies:

    • Sometimes you have to prune away the dead stuff to make room for new growth. (Deep, right?)
    • Even the strongest plants need support sometimes. (Hello, moss poles! And also, therapy. Therapy is good.)
    • There’s beauty in imperfection. (Because let’s be real, those perfectly curated Instagram plant shelves? Totally staged.)

    Ready to Become a Plant Parent? Here’s Why You Should!