So far this year, I’ve spent more time at home than I’ve spent traveling. UNHEARD of…and I don’t hate it. One of my 2020 resolutions is to be more intentional with my travels. Why are we going? What are we doing there? How can we help? I don’t want to travel for travels sake, especially if it’s just polluting the planet one flight at a time. I’ve come to love domestic life, even more so when I get to bring my favorite part of this planet – the great outdoors – to live with me inside 🙂
Great outdoors, greater music
Go ahead. Press play for all the eargasms. Birds chirping and nature sounds will boost your mood, help you relax and transport you outside (a plus if you’re trapped in an office or working from home!)
Follow the sun
Growing up, I always remember my dad coming into the living room and immediately opening the curtains and windows. He’s a lover of light, and now I’m the same. It literally brightens my day, and I’m immediately connected to the environment that these four walls are separating me from.
Roses are red
For the record, I very much dislike red roses 😉 but I adore orchids. They don’t require a ton of maintenance and give a pop of color (depending on what you choose). I always call fresh flowers a happiness bomb 🙂 Studies have shown that flowers reduce depression and increase positive emotion. SCORE.
Good wood
The ground we walk on and the spaces we live in affect us deeply. Hardwood flooring is the only way. When my feet hit the ground every morning, I love connecting to the earth. Of course, I’m not actually outside, but hardwood evokes a warm, natural feeling compared to carpet or laminate floors. I’m not telling you to go and redo your entire floor plan, but…
You are what you eat
I haven’t mastered gardening yet, but having a few potted herbs in the kitchen makes a difference in my culinary experience. Connection to nature is an essential ingredient to my health and well-being, just like basil is an essential ingredient to my pasta dishes.
Oil to bed, oil to rise
Oil to bed, oil to rise, makes a woman healthy, wealthy and wise! Gotta love a good Pinterest quote. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. The oils capture the plant’s scent and flavor – their “essence.” I love to use them as alternate therapies – lavender helps me sleep when my mind can’t stop racing and ylang ylang is a good insect repellant and a yummy flowery scent. Mmmmmmmmm.
Greenery around the work station
I die for a creative space of my very own. Four years on the road will do that to you. Now that I have my very own office(!!!), the first thing I did was pick out small plants and their respective home planters for a boost in creativity. I have to be completely honest here, the plants on the upper ledge are fake since I thought I’d definitely kill them in a matter of days. If we gotta fake it til we make it (or purchase a ladder), I’m game.
A green thumb
I’ve heard plants are harder to keep alive than dogs and babies. I don’t want to offend anyone here (trigger alert) esp. since I don’t have a dog OR a baby, but PLANT PARENTHOOD IS HARD. I have a fiddle leaf, a monstera and a dancing queen. The slightest change in their appearance sends me into full-on CPR mode. I’ve consulted in complete strangers on Instagram, brought in the hard hitting experts, bought apps and overnighted all kinds of remedies via Amazon.
The bottom line? Plants are finicky. They will go through their natural cycles, and we as humans can only do so much. Overwatering is a thing (as is under-watering obviously). Get it right. Plants need light – but not too much. They can start doing weird things if you move them into a new environment. Don’t be alarmed. They’re adjusting, just like we do. In the 9th grade I did a science project to prove that good music and plant growth is a positive correlation. Plant A Group listened to Mozart. Plant B Group listened to Good Charlotte. Plant C Group was the control. The results were STAGGERING. Mozart music aided in plant growth while Good Charlotte stunted plant growth. I got 4th place in the class. I’ll take an honerable mention.
Resources
Shout out to the plant people who helped along the way. If you’re struggling with your own plants, slide into their DMs.
I am the same way about sunlight! What plant is the bit palm like one? I need one of those in my life!