How to Start Gardening When You’re Feeling Depressed
Starting a gardening practice can feel daunting, especially if you’re battling depression. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you ease into it:
Allow Yourself to Feel
It’s okay to have bad days. On tough days, simply being outside in the fresh air can be beneficial. Don’t pressure yourself to achieve a perfect garden; the process itself is healing.
Start Small
Choose a small space—like a balcony, windowsill, a corner of your yard or even in your own room. Begin with just a few pots or a small patch of soil to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Choose Easy-to-Grow Plants
Opt for low-maintenance plants. Herbs like rosemary or mint, or flowers like cosmos or zinnias, are great choices for beginners. They can thrive with minimal care and offer quick rewards.
Set Simple Goals
Instead of aiming for a perfect garden, set achievable goals. Perhaps aim to water your plants three times a week or spend ten minutes a day tending to them. Celebrate these small victories.
Create a Routine
Incorporating gardening into your daily routine can provide structure. Designate a specific time each day to engage with your plants, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Connect with Others
Look for local gardening groups or online forums. Sharing your experiences and tips with others can foster a sense of community and support.
Practice Mindfulness
Use your gardening time as a form of meditation. Focus on the sensations of the soil, the colors of the plants, and the sounds around you. This mindfulness practice can help calm racing thoughts.
Keep a Gardening Journal
Document your gardening journey. Note the changes you see in your plants, how you feel before and after gardening sessions, and any small victories. This can provide insight and motivation.
How to Start a Gardening Journal
1. Choose Your Format
- Notebook: A simple bound notebook or a binder with loose-leaf pages.
- Personalized: A notebook or binder that can decorated using your creativity like a scrapbook or collage.
- Digital: Use apps or software like Google Docs, Evernote, or gardening-specific apps.
2. Sections to Possibly Include
- Planting Dates: Record when you plant seeds or transplants.
- Varieties: Note the types of plants you’re growing.
- Growth Progress: Track how plants are developing over time.
- Weather Conditions: Document rainfall, temperatures, and unusual weather events.
- Pests and Diseases: Record any issues you encounter and how you address them.
- Harvest Records: Note when and how much you harvest.
- Personal Reflections: Write about what worked, what didn’t, and your overall thoughts.
3. Regular Updates
- Set aside time weekly or monthly to update your journal.
- Take notes after gardening sessions to capture immediate thoughts and observations.
- How you feel before and after gardening sessions
4. Include Photos
- Take pictures of your garden at different stages to visually track progress.
- Label photos with dates and descriptions.
5. Create a Planting Calendar
- Include seasonal planting schedules and reminders for tasks like fertilizing or pruning.
6. Experiment and Learn
- Jot down notes on experiments you try, like new planting techniques or varieties.
- Reflect on what you learn each season.
7. Review and Plan
- At the end of each season, review your notes and plan for the next one based on your experiences.
8. Make It Personal
- Decorate your journal with drawings, stickers, or pressed flowers to make it a cherished keepsake.