Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: unexpected lessons

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant


    succulent, I knew it was living on borrowed time.

    This wasn’t just any succulent, though. This one was tiny, a little green soldier in a plastic pot smaller than a coffee cup. I figured I’d give it a week before it joined the great compost heap in the sky.

    succulent could flourish, what else could I be wrong about?

    Lesson #1: Small Actions, Big Impact

    I’ll admit, my plant care routine was pretty basic. A splash of water every other week, a sunny spot on the windowsill – that’s it. Yet, these small, consistent actions made a world of difference. The succulent grew, proving that even the tiniest efforts, when done consistently, can have a huge impact.

    This realization spilled over into other areas of my life. I started applying the “small actions, big impact” principle to everything from writing (a paragraph a day adds up!) to fitness (hello, 10-minute workouts!). It was surprisingly effective and way less daunting than trying to overhaul my entire life overnight.

    Lesson #2: Sometimes, You Just Need a Change of Scenery

    One day, I noticed my trusty succulent was looking a little… droopy. I tried everything – more water, less water, even serenading it with my questionable rendition of “Here Comes the Sun.” Nothing worked. Then, it hit me: maybe it just needed a change.

    I moved the pot from the windowsill to a shelf across the room. And guess what? It perked right up! It turns out, even plants get stuck in a rut. Sometimes, a little change of environment is all it takes to thrive.

  • 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. My thumbs are decidedly not green. In fact, I’m pretty sure they emit an invisible plant-killing aura. So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a cheerful little ZZ plant, I accepted it with the quiet resignation of a condemned prisoner.

    “He’s practically indestructible!” my friend chirped, oblivious to the impending doom in my care.

    Plant Resilience – More Than Just a Buzzword

    The first few weeks were a predictable disaster. I overwatered, I underwatered, I even managed to spill coffee grounds on the poor thing (don’t ask). My ZZ plant, which I’d christened “Percy” (don’t judge, I was feeling optimistic), began to wither. Its leaves, once vibrant and glossy, drooped like sad, green tears.

    Just when I was about to deliver the eulogy and toss Percy into the compost bin, something miraculous happened. I noticed a tiny, new shoot emerging from the soil. It was pale and fragile, but it was there, a defiant little fist raised against my neglect. Percy, it seemed, was not ready to give up.

    And neither, I realized, was I. Inspired by Percy’s tenacity, I actually bothered to Google “ZZ plant care” (who knew?). I learned that these plants are practically succulents, thriving on neglect rather than drowning in affection (my kind of plant!).

    With a newfound respect for Percy and his resilient spirit, I adjusted my approach. I gave him less water, more sunlight, and even the occasional pep talk (don’t judge, it worked!). Slowly but surely, Percy bounced back. He sprouted new growth, his leaves regained their shine, and he even seemed to stand a little taller.

    Lesson #2: Embracing the Pace of Growth

    As Percy thrived, I found myself applying his quiet wisdom to other areas of my life. Just like I couldn’t force Percy to grow faster, I realized I couldn’t rush my own personal or professional development. There would be periods of dormancy, times when it felt like I was stuck in the same pot, with the same old problems. But just like Percy taught me, sometimes you just need to be patient, trust the process, and know that growth happens in its own time.

  • 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 gardening prowess. In fact, my previous attempts at plant parenthood could be best described as unintentional plant homicide. I overwatered, underwatered, and exposed them to sunlight levels that would make a vampire cringe. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a peace lily, I accepted it with a mix of trepidation and a silent prayer for the poor thing.

    plant like it was a newborn panda in a snowstorm. I watered it every other day, gave it plant food like it was candy, and even sang to it (don’t judge!).

    Then, one day, I noticed the leaves were drooping. “Oh no!” I thought, “I’ve killed it!” I was ready to write its eulogy when my plant-loving friend came over and saw my watering schedule. “Whoa there, cowboy!” she exclaimed, “You’re drowning the poor thing!”

    Turns out, sometimes the best thing you can do is back off a little. Give it space to breathe, literally. It was a hard lesson for this over-enthusiastic plant parent, but the peace lily bounced back, teaching me that sometimes, a little tough love is exactly what’s needed.

    Lesson #2: Growth Isn’t Always Obvious

    For a while, my peace lily seemed content with just existing. It wasn’t wilting, but it wasn’t exactly shooting up new leaves either. I started to worry that maybe I’d stunted its growth with my earlier overzealousness. Maybe this was as good as it got.

    Then, one morning, while I was watering it (on schedule, I swear!), I noticed something incredible: a tiny, tightly furled new leaf emerging from the soil. It was small, almost insignificant, but it was there. A testament to the quiet, persistent growth that was happening beneath the surface, hidden from my impatient eyes.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from Playing Tetris

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from Playing Tetris




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from Playing Tetris

    Confessions of a Tetris Enthusiast

    Okay, maybe “addict” is a strong word. But I’ll admit, there was a time when Tetris held a certain magnetic pull over me. Those brightly colored blocks, the deceptively simple premise, the promise of achieving a perfect “Tetris” – it was pure digital dopamine! Little did I know, while I was busy stacking and clearing lines, I was also unwittingly absorbing some valuable life lessons. Who knew a game about falling blocks could be so profound?

    Tetris Teaches Us to Conquer Procrastination

    We’ve all been there. That looming deadline, the mounting to-do list, and what do we do? We open Tetris “just for a few minutes.” But those minutes have a funny way of multiplying, and before you know it, you’re staring down a digital mountain of blocks that represents your real-life responsibilities. Just like in Tetris, procrastination in life only leads to a much bigger (and scarier) problem down the line. So, take it from someone who’s lost one too many games (and maybe missed a deadline or two) – tackle those tasks head-on before they pile up and overwhelm you!

    Lesson 2: Problem-Solving, Tetris Style: Breaking It Down

    Ever feel overwhelmed by a massive, complex problem? Tetris taught me that the best way to tackle these behemoths is to break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Just like fitting those oddly-shaped tetrominoes together, focus on finding solutions to individual aspects of the problem. Before you know it, all those small victories will add up to conquering the bigger challenge. It’s like they say, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

  • 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…Thumb-kin

    Let’s be honest, my thumbs have never been known for their magical, life-giving properties. In fact, I’m pretty sure I could kill a cactus with a single, loving touch. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a houseplant – a cheerful little peace lily with more leaves than I knew what to do with – I accepted it with a smile and a healthy dose of internal panic.

    little green roommate had some surprisingly profound lessons to teach me.

    Lesson #1: Patience is a Virtue (and Also, a Necessary Ingredient for Plant Parenting)

    One of the first things I learned about my peace lily was that it did not, in fact, thrive on neglect. Who knew, right? My previous strategy of “water it when I remember, which is probably never” was not exactly a recipe for success. The leaves started to droop, then brown, then fall off with a dramatic flourish that could rival a Shakespearean tragedy.

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from a Houseplant



    My Brown Thumb Turns Green: Embracing the Challenge of Plant Parenthood

    Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing skills. In fact, my thumbs are decidedly less green and more…well, brown. So, when my well-intentioned friend gifted me a houseplant, I accepted it with a mix of delight and dread. Delight at the thought of bringing some life into my apartment, and dread at the inevitable plant massacre I was sure to commit. Little did I know, this leafy green roommate would teach me more than just how to keep something alive (though that was a definite perk).

    Life Throws Your Way

    The first few weeks were a crash course in plant parenthood. I overwatered, underwatered, and even managed to scorch a few leaves with too much direct sunlight. My poor plant looked like it had seen better days, resembling a sad, wilted salad more than a thriving piece of nature. Just when I was about to throw in the (gardening) towel, something amazing happened. It started to bounce back. New growth emerged, the leaves perked up, and it was like my plant was giving me a leafy green thumbs-up (or at least, that’s how I interpreted it).

    This experience taught me a valuable lesson about resilience. We all go through rough patches, times when we feel wilted and defeated. But just like my resilient houseplant, we have the inner strength to bounce back, stronger and more vibrant than before. It might take some time, a little TLC, and maybe even a pep talk or two (don’t judge, we’ve all been there), but we can overcome challenges and thrive.

    Lesson #2: Growth: Embracing the Unexpected Pace of Progress

    As my confidence as a plant parent grew (pun intended), I became a little obsessed with tracking my plant’s progress. I’d measure its height weekly, scrutinize new leaves, and even whisper words of encouragement (okay, maybe I’m judging myself a little here). I wanted to see tangible evidence of growth, proof that I was doing something right.

    But growth, as I learned, doesn’t always work that way. There were weeks when my plant seemed stagnant, stuck in a leafy limbo. Then, seemingly overnight, it would shoot up, surprising me with its sudden growth spurt. It was a constant reminder that growth isn’t always linear or predictable. It happens in fits and starts, with periods of quiet reflection followed by bursts of progress.