Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: Personal Essay

  • Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)

    Is My Houseplant Silently Judging My Life Choices? (The Evidence is Compelling)




    Do Houseplants Judge Your Life Choices? (The Evidence)


    When My Fiddle Leaf Fig Nearly Gave Me a Panic Attack

    I swear, it was like something out of a sitcom. There I was, sprawled on the kitchen floor, sobbing over a dating app fail (don’t judge!), when I noticed it. Beatrice, my normally placid fiddle leaf fig, was… drooping. Not just a little thirsty droop, but a full-on, “I’m so disappointed in you, I might just drop all my leaves” kind of droop.

    Now, I know what you’re thinking: “It’s a plant! It doesn’t judge!” But hear me out. This wasn’t just a one-time thing. Beatrice and I, we’ve got history. A long, leafy, slightly passive-aggressive history.

    Beatrice remembers. How do I know? Let’s just say the new leaf she sprouted that week was a particularly sickly shade of yellow. Coincidence? I think not.

    Look, I’m not saying she’s got a direct line to my conscience (though I wouldn’t put it past her), but the timing is always impeccable. Big deadline at work? Beatrice starts shedding leaves like they’re going out of style. Successfully navigated a tricky social situation? Boom! New growth everywhere, practically glowing with pride.

    Can a Peace Lily Sense a Clean Apartment?

    And it’s not just Beatrice. Oh no, my friend, the judgment is strong with all my plant children. Take Percy, my peace lily. For months, he was this sad, droopy mess. I’m talking barely clinging to life, giving me serious “Weekend at Bernie’s” vibes.

    Then, what can only be described as a miracle occurred. I finally cleaned my apartment. Like, really cleaned it. And Percy? Well, let’s just say he’s never looked more alive. He’s practically throwing new blooms at me, like, “See Susan, this is what happens when you’re not a complete disaster!”

  • 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, I wasn’t always a natural nurturer. In fact, my thumbs were practically charcoal black. I’m talking “forget to water a cactus” levels of neglect. But then, something magical happened. I got a plant as a gift – a spunky little ZZ plant with leaves so shiny, they could reflect the moon. And somehow, against all odds, I kept it alive. Not just alive, but thriving. That’s when I realized: there’s more to this plant parenting thing than meets the eye.

    Story Time: When My Plants Talked Back (Sort Of)

    One morning, I woke up to find my peace lily dramatically drooping. It looked like it had just received some seriously bad news. “Oh no,” I thought, “I’ve killed Phil the Peace Lily!” Turns out, all Phil needed was a tall glass of water. As soon as I quenched his thirst, he perked right back up, leaves reaching for the sky like a grateful toddler. It was a powerful lesson: Plants communicate! And they’re not subtle about it. Learning their language (droopy leaves, yellowing tips, new growth spurts) is half the fun – and panic-inducing, at times. But hey, who needs a therapist when you can analyze your fern’s mood swings?

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

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)

    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be real, folks. A few years ago, if you told me I’d be the proud parent of a thriving jungle of indoor plants, I would’ve laughed (and then probably accidentally killed a cactus with too much love). I was the queen of the black thumb, notorious for turning even the most resilient succulents into mushy, brown messes.

    But then, something magical happened. It started innocently enough, with a humble little snake plant named Steve. To my utter shock, Steve not only survived my care but actually seemed to thrive. That’s when I realized: maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t destined for a life of plant homicide.

  • The Time I Tried to Be a Morning Person (and Failed Spectacularly)

    The Time I Tried to Be a Morning Person (and Failed Spectacularly)


    The 5:00 AM Pact (and How I Failed)

    My best friend, Sarah, is one of those annoyingly perky morning people. You know the type: bounces out of bed at the crack of dawn, chirps about “seizing the day,” and somehow looks effortlessly put together while I’m still wiping sleep from my eyes. So, when she challenged me to join her 5:00 AM workout club for a week, I, in a moment of temporary insanity, agreed.

    “It’ll be life-changing!” she promised, her eyes sparkling with the zeal of a thousand suns.

    “Sure, sure,” I mumbled, already picturing myself hitting the snooze button approximately seven times.

    sleep.

    Let’s just say the workout was less “invigorating morning routine” and more “stumbling around the gym like a zombie.” Sarah, naturally, was a vision of energy and grace. I’m pretty sure I saw her bench-pressing a small elephant at one point.

    The Accidental Nap Debacle

    Days two and three followed a similar pattern of snoozing, groaning, and generally feeling like I was betraying my nocturnal nature. By day four, I was exhausted. Not the kind of tired that makes you sleep soundly, mind you, but the kind that makes you feel like you’re in a constant state of low-grade delirium.

    And that’s how I ended up taking an accidental nap…on the bus…on the way to work.

    Yes, you read that right. I nodded off, slumped against the window, and woke up to a kindly old lady offering me a cough drop. (To this day, I maintain that she thought I was ill and not just sleep-deprived.) The experience was both mortifying and a testament to my utter failure to become a morning person.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Houseplant

    My Brown Thumb Gets Greener

    Let’s be honest, I’m about as far from a “plant person” as you can get. My idea of plant care used to be giving it a hopeful glance every few days and hoping for the best (spoiler alert: it rarely worked). So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a peace lily for my birthday, I accepted it with a mix of gratitude and terror.

    “Don’t worry,” my friend chirped, “Peace lilies are practically indestructible!” Famous last words.

    Lesson 1: Learning to Let Go (and Water Less)

    My peace lily, which I creatively named Lily, thrived for about five minutes before taking a nosedive. Leaves drooped, turned an alarming shade of yellow, and I’m pretty sure I heard it sigh dramatically once or twice. I tried everything – watering it more, watering it less, singing to it (don’t judge). Nothing worked.

    Finally, I admitted defeat and consulted the internet. Turns out, I was being a helicopter plant parent, hovering and fussing way too much. Lily, much like a stubborn toddler, just needed some space to do its thing. So, I took a deep breath, backed off on the constant watering, and… she perked right up.

    It was a valuable lesson in letting go, trusting the process, and maybe not projecting my own anxieties onto a poor, defenseless houseplant.

    Lesson 2: The Unexpected Resilience of a Peace Lily

    Just when Lily and I found our groove, disaster struck. I left for a weekend trip and, in a move that can only be described as peak “me,” completely forgot to ask anyone to water her. I returned to a scene of utter devastation. Lily was beyond droopy, practically a pile of wilted leaves in a pot. I was ready to hold a plant funeral.

    But then, a glimmer of hope. A single, defiant green shoot emerged from the seemingly lifeless stems. Against all odds, Lily was making a comeback. I nurtured her back to health (this time with the help of a handy watering reminder app), and she rewarded me with more lush growth than ever before.

  • 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

    From Brown Thumb to Budding Botanist: My Houseplant Journey

    Let’s be honest, I’m about as far from a “plant person” as you can get. My idea of plant care used to be frantically Googling “Is my plant dramatic or dying?” every other week. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a Calathea Orbifolia – a notoriously finicky plant – I knew I was in over my head. I named him Ferdinand, because why not, and braced myself for the inevitable plant funeral.

    But here’s the thing: Ferdinand didn’t die. In fact, he thrived. And in the process of keeping him alive (mostly), he ended up teaching me a thing or two about life, patience, and the importance of a good soak (for both of us).

    Life (or at Least Your Plant’s)

    Ferdinand started drooping about a month in. I was devastated. I’d diligently followed all the care instructions: watering on schedule, whispering sweet nothings, even playing him Mozart (because, you know, plants love classical music, right?).

    Then, in a moment of desperation, I moved him. I’d read somewhere that Calatheas are drama queens about light, so I shifted him a few feet to the left, away from the direct sunlight. And guess what? He perked right up! Turns out, a change of perspective can do wonders, even for a houseplant.

    It got me thinking about my own life. How often do we stay stuck in situations that no longer serve us, clinging to routines that drain our energy? Ferdinand reminded me that sometimes, a little shift in perspective, a willingness to try something new, can make all the difference.

    Lesson 2: Embracing the Ups and Downs of Growth, Just Like My Houseplant

    Now, I’d be lying if I said Ferdinand’s progress was smooth sailing from there. There were weeks when he’d sprout new leaves like it was going out of style, and others where he just…sat there. Looking dramatic. Like a sulking teenager who wasn’t allowed to go to that concert.

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

    Confessions of a Reformed Plant Killer (and Why You Should Totally Join My Green Thumb Club)





    From Black Thumb to Proud Plant Parent

    Let’s be real, folks. I used to be the Queen of Cactus Carnage. Seriously, I could kill a succulent with a single glance. My thumbs weren’t just black, they were shrouded in a mysterious, plant-wilting aura. But then, something magical happened. I adopted a sad little fern from the clearance rack at the grocery store, figuring I had nothing to lose. To my utter shock, that fern not only survived, it thrived! And thus began my unexpected journey into the wonderful, wacky world of plant parenthood.

    Plant Therapy!

    Remember those adult coloring books everyone went crazy for? Yeah, well, plant parenting is like that, but a thousand times better. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about digging your hands in the soil, pruning away dead leaves, and giving your leafy companions a good shower. It’s like meditation, but with more chlorophyll. And the best part? Plants don’t judge your messy bun or mismatched pajamas.

    Plus, watching your plants flourish is incredibly rewarding. Every new leaf, every bloom, is a tiny victory dance against my former plant-killing self. It’s proof that I can, in fact, keep something alive besides myself (most days, at least).

    Benefits of Indoor Plants: From Home Decor to Health Boosters

    Forget those expensive throw pillows and scented candles. Nothing livens up a room like a vibrant monstera or a cascading string of pearls. Plants add instant personality and a touch of nature to any space, without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re the ultimate conversation starters. Forget awkward small talk, just tell me about your favorite houseplant and let’s be friends!

    Here are a few bonus perks of decorating with plants:

    • They purify the air, so you can breathe easy knowing your home is an oxygen oasis.
    • They can boost your mood and creativity. Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress and improve focus.
    • They’re low-maintenance pets. No walks in the rain, no litter boxes to clean, just pure, leafy goodness.
  • 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


    From Black Thumb to Budding Botanist: My Houseplant Journey

    Let’s be honest, my history with plants was more akin to a crime scene than a flourishing garden. I’d pick up a perfectly healthy fern, only to have it wither faster than my hopes of ever understanding cryptocurrency. But then, something changed. Maybe it was a moment of temporary insanity, or perhaps a desperate plea to add some life (literally) to my apartment, but I adopted a little ZZ plant I affectionately named Ferdinand.

    Ferdinand, I assumed, would be just like the rest – destined for that big plant shop in the sky. Yet, to my utter shock, he thrived. In fact, he did more than thrive, he flourished! Under my, shall we say, “unconventional” care, he grew like a weed (a very aesthetically pleasing weed, I might add). That’s when I realized Ferdinand was trying to tell me something. This wasn’t just about keeping a plant alive; this was about life lessons, whispered through rustling leaves and stubborn roots.

    Plant

    Ferdinand, you see, is the king of bouncing back. I’m talking forgot-to-water-him-for-three-weeks kind of bouncing back. I’d sheepishly poke at his soil, convinced I’d return to find a pile of wilted sadness. But nope, there he’d be, as perky as ever, silently judging my forgetfulness (I swear he gives me side-eye).

    Turns out, ZZ plants are notoriously low-maintenance. They can handle neglect, low light, and even the occasional accidental drop (don’t judge, I’m clumsy). And that’s when it hit me: resilience isn’t about never facing challenges, it’s about how you handle them. Just like Ferdinand, we all have the inner strength to weather the storms and come out stronger on the other side.

    Lesson #2: Patience, Young Padawan – Embracing the Growth Process

    Now, I’m a bit of an instant gratification kind of gal. I want results, and I want them now. But Ferdinand, in his infinite wisdom, taught me the value of patience. I’d eagerly inspect him every day, convinced I’d missed a growth spurt.

    “Come on, little buddy, grow!” I’d whisper, as if that would magically speed up the process.

    But growth, like most good things in life, takes time. And then, one day, when I least expected it, there it was: a brand new shoot, unfurling towards the light. Ferdinand reminded me that growth isn’t always linear or immediate. Sometimes, the most significant changes happen beneath the surface, slowly but surely, until one day, you wake up and realize how far you’ve come.

  • The Unexpected Joy of Missing My Train

    The Unexpected Joy of Missing My Train

    train, only to watch its taillights disappear around the bend. Just the other day, this was me, frantically sprinting through Grand Central Station, convinced I was about to star in my own personal tragedy titled “Late for Life.”

    As I dramatically collapsed onto a bench, catching my breath and cursing my luck, I realized something crucial: I was starving. I mean, ravenously, hangry-to-the-point-of-no-return starving. My original plan of grabbing a stale croissant on the train suddenly seemed like a cruel joke.

    A Chance Encounter with a Delicious Chocolate Croissant

    Resigned to my fate, I wandered out of the station and stumbled upon a charming little bakery. The smell wafting from its open door was like a siren song to my grumbling stomach.

    A person dressed in a giant squirrel costume holding a unicycle while talking to someone off camera.
  • Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (I’m Starting to Think So)

    Is My Houseplant Judging My Life Choices? (I’m Starting to Think So)



    We’ve all been there, right? Staring into the abyss of a messy living room at 3 am, questioning every decision that led us to this very moment. But lately, I’ve started to feel like I’m not alone in my existential dread. No, it’s not a roommate (unless you count the pile of laundry in the corner as a roommate). It’s Herbert.

    Herbert, my seemingly innocent ZZ plant, has become the most judgmental houseguest I’ve ever encountered. And trust me, I’ve lived with some real characters.

    When My Houseplant Almost Staged an Intervention

    It all started with a particularly brutal week. Deadlines at work were looming, my dating life resembled a barren wasteland, and the closest I came to a home-cooked meal was microwaving a bag of popcorn (don’t judge, we’ve all been there). It was then that I noticed Herbert looking… different.