People get pissed off when I say this....

You do have time to garden you just choose not to.

Sure we all wish we had more time. But in reality time is finite so we have to choose how we spend it.

You can spend 5 minutes scrolling on your phone, numbing your feelings and filling your brain with more shite from the internet.

Or you can spend 5 minutes deadheading some brightly coloured winter pansies who's smiling faces bring you joy every time you look at them, quietening your mind and finding some headspace.

It's not always easy to make the healthier choice, especially when you are under so much pressure and have so many responsibilities.

I remember when I was at my absolute lowest; working until late into the night and all weekend too. Unable to sleep, stomach troubles because of the anxiety, bursting into tears at the smallest of things. It would really piss me off when people told me to rest, to slow down.

‘But i’ve got so much to do’, my brain would be silently screaming at them. I think deep down I knew that when I started to slow down all the emotions I had been burying for years would come up. So it seemed safer to keep on going, keep on pushing myself and ignoring them, until I broke.

That’s why when you do start to slow down it’s important that you do it with someone by your side, be that an understanding loved one, a therapist or a coach. Someone who is trained in supporting you through the transition from constantly on the go to someone who makes time for themselves to rest and resource their mind and body.

Because if you don’t do that. You’ll end up like me, burntout and broken. And honestly its not something that i’d wish on my worst enemy.

No-one else is coming to save you and force you to make the healthy choice, so that you can feel alive and vibrant, instead of like a shrivelled autumn leaf being constantly trampled on by wet, muddy boots.

So it's on you lady. With my support as a trained horticultural therapist of course. Because it can feel terrifying to challenge the status quo and do something that feels radical. The fact that taking just 5 minutes for yourself every day still feels radical in 2024 is an indication at the state of the world and the lack of progress we have made in real terms with women’s rights.

But making that radical choice for myself every day has been the best thing to ever happen to me. And you want to know the most satisfying bit?

I did it myself.

There are still days I have to battle against tired outdated views of a women’s place in the world. Hell there are still days where I have to battle against my own mind and conditioning that says, ‘Just one more thing and then you can take that break and get out in the garden’. Or I hear my inner ratbag uttering the sneaky line I mentioned earlier ‘I don’t have time to garden’.

And after a lot of practice i’m able to catch it and remind myself that the only way we make true lasting change for us and for our daughters is by standing up and taking regular time for us, because if nothing changes, nothing changes.

If you need someone to help you catch yourself and start to put those healthy habits in place then i’d be delighted to support you. You can take a look at my support options below.

Next time you tell yourself 'I don't have time' try this on for size instead 'it's not a priority for me right now'. It sure as hell puts into perspective what is a priority in your life.

Ready to prioritise you and grow your confidence in the garden?

I have 3 ways I can help you right now:

Become and paid member of the Seed and get access to a treasure trove of gardening activities to quiet your mind as you grow your garden. PLUS become a founding member and get a 1:1 session with me to get a plan for your garden sorted!

Book a Garden Glow Up- 30 days of support to transform one area of your garden and get you brimming with garden confidence.

Garden Goals- me in your garden every month for bespoke support as we create your dream garden together.

I also offer gift vouchers in increments of £50 that can be put towards any of my services. Just get your loved ones to email me at kendall@adventureswithflowers.com with the amount they’d like to purchase and i’ll sort payment and send them a voucher to wrap up for the big day!