Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: low-maintenance plan

  • 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 Little Green Guru

    I’ll admit, I’m not exactly known for my green thumb. In fact, I’m pretty sure my former houseplants still hold support group meetings to discuss the trauma I inflicted upon them (sorry, Philodendron, you deserved better). But then, a miracle happened. I received a sturdy little ZZ plant as a gift, and against all odds, it thrived. Not only did it survive my haphazard watering schedule and questionable lighting choices, it actually seemed to flourish. And that’s when the life lessons started rolling in, like so many new leaves unfurling in the spring sunshine.

    Lesson #1: Resilience is a Beautiful Thing

    ZZ plants are practically known for their resilience. They can tolerate low light conditions, infrequent watering, and even the occasional missed dusting. Me? Not so much. I tend to wilt at the first sign of stress, like a delicate orchid in a hailstorm. But watching my ZZ plant bounce back from my less-than-ideal care taught me a valuable lesson: resilience isn’t about being invincible; it’s about adapting and growing stronger through challenges. It reminded me that even when life throws shade (pun intended), I have the inner strength to persevere.

    Lesson #2: Patience is a Virtue (and Also, Sometimes You Just Need to Wait)

    Now, let’s talk about growth. Or rather, the sometimes agonizingly slow pace of growth that comes with being a houseplant (and, let’s be honest, a human). I’m a notoriously impatient person. I want instant gratification, overnight success, and immediate results. But my little green guru taught me that sometimes, the most rewarding things in life take time. Just like that new leaf unfurling, personal growth, relationships, and achieving goals require patience, persistence, and a whole lot of trust in the process.

  • 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’s Transformation: Life Lessons from a ZZ Plant

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing abilities. In fact, I’m pretty sure I could kill a cactus with kindness (and a healthy dose of overwatering). So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a houseplant— a supposedly “easy-to-care-for” ZZ plant—I accepted with a mix of trepidation and forced enthusiasm. Little did I know, this leafy roommate would become my unlikely life coach, teaching me valuable lessons in the most unexpected ways.

    plant with love, and by love, I mean water. I figured, “Hey, everyone needs a good drink, right?” Wrong. My ZZ plant, bless its heart, started to droop faster than my enthusiasm for keeping it alive. After some frantic Googling and a panicked call to my friend (who, at this point, was probably regretting her gift), I learned that ZZ plants actually thrive on neglect. They prefer their soil to dry out completely between waterings, a concept that was completely foreign to my overzealous nature.

    This seemingly simple revelation about my plant‘s needs became a metaphor for other areas of my life. I realized that sometimes, my instinct to over-give, over-help, and over-do actually hinders rather than helps. I learned to step back, assess the situation, and offer support in a way that’s actually needed, not just what I think is needed.

    Lesson #2: Patience is a Virtue: Embracing the Growth Process

    After the Great Drowning Incident of 2023, I decided to embrace a more hands-off approach with my ZZ plant. I watered it sparingly, gave it the occasional pep talk (yes, I talk to my plants, don’t judge!), and mostly just let it be. For months, it seemed like nothing was happening. No new growth, no dramatic changes, just the same old leaves soaking up the sun. I started to think maybe this whole “thriving on neglect” thing was a myth.

    Then, one day, as I was about to give up hope, I noticed it: a tiny, tightly curled shoot emerging from the base of the plant. A new leaf! It was small, almost insignificant, but it represented something huge: resilience, growth, and the power of patience. Turns out, even when we don’t see it, progress is still happening beneath the surface. We might not always get the instant gratification we crave, but with time and consistent effort (or in my plant’s case, the lack thereof), growth will come.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant





    My Black Thumb Gets a Green Makeover

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing abilities. I’m the queen of accidentally leaving empty coffee mugs on shelves for weeks (don’t judge!) and my idea of “watering” plants involves a frantic splash every other Tuesday (or was it Wednesday?). So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a peace lily, I accepted it with a mix of forced enthusiasm and impending doom.

    “It’s practically impossible to kill!” she chirped, completely oblivious to the graveyard of succulents and cacti littering my past.

    Even Low-Maintenance Plants Need Love

    Turns out, “practically impossible to kill” doesn’t mean “completely invincible.” Who knew? (Spoiler alert: everyone but me.) After a few weeks of my haphazard care (or lack thereof), my poor peace lily started to resemble a sad, droopy salad. Its once vibrant green leaves were turning an alarming shade of yellow, and it looked about as lively as a disco ball at a funeral.

    That’s when I realized even low-maintenance beings need some level of maintenance. Just like friendships require effort and goals need consistent action, even the simplest living things thrive with a bit of attention and care. So, I rolled up my sleeves (figuratively, I was wearing a tank top), did some research, and embarked on a journey to revive my wilting friend.

    Lesson #2: Finding Your Sunshine (and Watering Schedule)

    It turns out, my peace lily wasn’t a fan of my bathroom’s dim lighting and my inconsistent watering schedule. Go figure! After relocating it to a sunnier spot and setting reminders on my phone (yes, I even set reminders for a plant), I watched in amazement as it slowly began to spring back to life. New leaves unfurled, the droopy ones perked up, and it even graced me with a beautiful white bloom! I was officially a plant whisperer (or at least, a plant listener).

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant



    My Descent into Accidental Plant Parenthood

    Let’s be honest, before last year, my thumbs were about as brown as my morning coffee. The only thing I’d successfully grown was a healthy crop of dust bunnies under the couch. But then, a well-meaning friend gifted me a houseplant – a cute little succulent named Steve (yes, I name my plants, don’t judge!).

    “He’s low-maintenance,” she assured me, “practically thrives on neglect!” Famous last words.

    Even Low-Maintenance Friendships Need Nurturing

    Turns out, even succulents have standards. Who knew? I, in my infinite wisdom, took “low-maintenance” to mean “no-maintenance.” I’m talking weeks without a drop of water, zero sunlight (poor Steve resided in a dark corner because, aesthetics, duh!), and absolutely no conversation (do plants even like jazz?).

    Naturally, Steve staged a silent protest. His once-plump leaves started to resemble tiny, wrinkly fingers. He was basically a grumpy, miniature cactus giving me the side-eye. That’s when I realized, even low-maintenance relationships require effort. Just like we nurture our friendships with check-ins and shared experiences, plants, in their own silent way, need our attention and care.

    Lesson #2: Resilience is a Beautiful Thing (Especially for Houseplants)

    Determined to redeem myself (and save Steve from a tragic, crispy fate), I did my research. I learned about proper watering techniques (apparently, drowning is a thing!), the importance of sunlight (who knew!), and even invested in some plant food (turns out, Steve is a foodie!).

    And guess what? He rallied! Slowly but surely, Steve perked up. His leaves plumped, new growth emerged, and he even gifted me with a tiny, adorable flower. It was a powerful reminder that even after setbacks, even when we feel neglected or wilted, with a little care and attention, we can bounce back stronger than ever.

  • Confessions of a Recovering Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Club)

    Confessions of a Recovering Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Club)

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Okay, let’s be real. I used to be the grim reaper of greenery. Seriously, I could kill a cactus in a desert during a monsoon.

    plants another shot. And guess what? It wasn’t a total disaster! In fact, it’s been surprisingly…dare I say…joyful?

    The Unexpected Perks of Plant Parenthood

    Here’s the thing about plants: they’re like the low-maintenance roommates you always wished for. They won’t borrow your clothes without asking (looking at you, past roommates!), and they’re perfectly content with a simple routine. But the real surprise? The unexpected joys they bring!

    Instant Zen Masters

    There’s something incredibly therapeutic about tending to your plants. Watering, repotting, even just misting those leafy babies—it’s like meditation with a side of chlorophyll. Plus, studies show that being around plants can actually reduce stress levels. So, basically, my peace lily is my therapist now? Sign me up!

    Décor That Doesn’t Require Assembly

    Forget those frustrating IKEA instructions! Plants are like instant home décor that instantly brightens up your space. They add life, color, and texture—no hammer or Allen wrench required.