CulturallyOurs Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax And Renew

Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax

05.03.19
CulturallyOurs Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax And Renew

Did you catch Hannah Beasley‘s podcast interview yesterday? Hannah talks about her entrepreneurial journey as a teen and how early on she was always working, always trying to ‘make it’. But now she has very regimented guidelines and practices in place to separate her work and her life – by spending time in nature, by listening to music and even playing her guitar – all wonderful ways to relax and renew after a long day of work.

If you missed Hannah’s interview you can listen to it here.

Our friend Sarah Orman shares her new found love for gardening. For Sarah, the garden brings a respite from the often overwhelming daily grind and getting her hands in the dirt is the perfect way to recharge.

From Sarah,

One busy afternoon last week while attempting to accomplish numerous items on the unattainably long to-do list, I heard a voice in the back of my head whispering on repeat, “there’s no rest for the weary.” I stopped to consider the popular phrase, and immediately resented the individual who first coined it, for even the best of us deserve to press pause every once in a while.

Thankfully, there are numerous ways for entrepreneurs to recharge and despite being part of a constantly evolving creative environment that can often be taxing on the mind, it is widely encouraged for today’s small business owners to seek zen among the chaos. Whether it’s some form of group exercise, ten minutes of silent reading, or a quiet moment to enjoy some fresh air, there are limitless possibilities to escape and rest a busy brain, all of which are necessary if we’re to continue creating our best work.CulturallyOurs Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax And RenewHere in Washington D.C. and Virginia, the season of new life is in full swing. There are countless blooming trees and thanks to perfect weather conditions, we recently experienced a stellar cherry blossom display. For many, the arrival of Spring brings an eagerly anticipated opportunity to recharge outdoors, and for my dear friend, Jodi Baier of Jodi & Kurt Photography, this means getting her hands in the dirt. A passionate home gardener nurturing a vast variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers throughout Virginia’s growing season, Jodi greatly welcomes the Equinox come March, for it’s in her garden of 1.2 acres where she finds true solace beyond the every day running of her photography business.

From early April onwards, Jodi can be found outside before and after her regular work day. At dawn, she waters each plot, carefully checking lettuce for signs of slugs and pausing to appreciate how a newly planted Summer annual is growing rapidly. In our early conversations about gardening, Jodi confessed that simply feeling the soil between her fingers relaxes her, and that her love and appreciation for Mother Nature’s bounty greatly intensified soon after she began to cultivate the land at Farmhouse 1851; the couple’s picturesque home set in a quiet corner of Virginia.CulturallyOurs Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax And RenewInspired by Jodi’s enthusiasm, I too began to find an escape in the garden. The first year I grew and harvested my own vegetables, I found myself longing to be outdoors tending to my plants. I discovered my garden to be peaceful, a place where I lost myself in the task at hand, which ultimately quietened the multitude of unrelated thoughts occurring in my head. As I became more and more invested in my outdoor space, I realized how much I relished every chance to maintain it. In doing so, I began to think about my late Grandfather who was an enthusiastic gardener, and childhood memories of him escaping to his patch of land at the community allotment became vivid.

My Grandparents lived in a large terraced house on the edge of the city, where arable land was scarce. Common in many urban communities in England, the allotment was a large plot of cultivable land divided up and rented by keen gardeners. During the height of growing season, my Grandfather would make the short walk to the allotment on a daily basis to check on his prize-winning leeks, otherwise known as his “ladies.” As a child I didn’t quite understand the pleasure he found in giving his section at the allotment so much attention, but today, I couldn’t apprehend it more. I only wish he was still here so I could discuss my mutual passion with him, and perhaps pick his experienced brain for some coveted gardening advice!         

Instead, Jodi has become my fountain of knowledge, openly sharing her wisdom about all things horticulture. During a recent chat about her 2019 vegetable crop, we exchanged opinions on what it is about gardening that provides avid horticulturists with a feeling of rejuvenation. As the discussion deepened to elaborate on how one feels when a homegrown plant bears edible gifts, I noticed Jodi’s whole demeanor took on an air of excitement and a sense of contented wonder seemed to become of her persona.CulturallyOurs Power Of Gardening As A Way To Relax And RenewCharmed by Mother Nature’s ability to influence her carefully curated crops, Jodi admits that beyond the obvious joy of reaping the rewards of her productive kitchen garden, the time she spends maintaining her tastefully manicured beds filled with pastel blooms is therapeutic. I tend to agree. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic scent of cut grass and freshly laid mulch, the clean outdoor air, or a feeling comparable to completing a tough workout when the sun sets on a day out in the garden. Either way, the garden brings leave from the often overwhelming daily grind, and with it an unrivalled contentment that makes getting your hands in the dirt the perfect way to recharge this Spring.

Thank you Sarah. What a wonderful way to relax among nature, plants and the trees. And as an added bonus, enjoying all these wonderful vegetables and beautiful flowers fresh from your own garden!

Gardening – A Perfect Way To Relax

{ Words by Sarah Orman, website: My Modern Diary, Photos by Jodi Baier of Jodi & Kurt Photography, website: JodiandKurt}

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