Welcome to this month’s special wellbeing edition of Discovering Gardens. As Winter closes in, the leaves from the trees have been whisked away from their branches, and we begin to see iridescent ice crystals forming on the grass, which crunch delightfully when we walk on it. As the natural world transforms into an icy wonderland, we withdraw into hibernation mode, seeking comfort and warmth.
It’s important to incorporate plenty of self-care into our daily routines, and spending time in nature is the perfect way to support our mental health and overall sense of wellbeing, whether this is by taking long, sumptuous strolls in the countryside, exploring your local park, or wrapping up warm to spend time in your garden, where you can get those last bulbs planted for a beautiful display next year, or meditate on your ideas for the Spring.
Perhaps your new year’s resolution is to finally plant up your little patch of happiness, fill it with beautiful flowers or vegetables, create somewhere relaxing to socialise, or a peaceful little green haven to read your book and rest after a long day. Now that many of us are working from home, why not create the garden you’ve always wanted, a space to inspire, to motivate, to reduce stress, a space where you can take a breath. Discovering Gardens is here to support you in this journey through comprehensive advice and teaching.
Nurture your creativity by exploring my wonderful online talks and immersive workshops which I will be running from the Spring, which will fill you with ideas and inspiration for your gardens. I also offer bespoke garden design consultations, where we can begin this joyful journey together one-to-one.
A Dose of Nature
It’s been a strange and challenging year for all of us, but one thing seems clear, most of us have reignited our relationship with nature. The special bond we have with the natural world deserves attention, and it is always there, not only when times are hard. Sometimes difficult circumstances help us to realise this. There is no better way to nourish this relationship than by spending time in your garden, or by exploring the country’s places of outstanding natural beauty. My membership with the National Trust has been a lifeline during lockdown, offering stunning landscapes to explore freely. Kew Gardens has also kept its gates open for the public. They both have a deep understanding of the beneficial effect spending time in nature will have on everyone’s wellbeing. I thoroughly recommend joining one of these organisations, to help them keep providing beautiful places for us to find peace, and to support our wellbeing journeys. For those of you who may need a little extra help, there are some fantastic charities out there who offer nature connection activities and support for people struggling with their mental health and other health difficulties. Dose of Nature are a true inspiration, as are Sydenham Garden and Thrive.
New Year’s Resolutions
I always get excited about my new year’s resolutions in the lead up to Christmas. The new year is an opportunity to reflect, to be grateful, to shed elements of our lives which make us unhappy, and to embrace new and exciting adventures, which will fulfil our desires and help us be the best versions of ourselves. Here are a couple of my resolutions which I hope will bring you some inspiration for a prosperous new year.
Give back to the community: I volunteer with an inspiring mental health charity and an environmental trust, which are both focused on engaging with nature for improved wellbeing, something which is very important to me. I offer little nuggets of time when I can, and it is incredibly fulfilling to meet wonderful, like-minded people, to help those who struggle to find their inner happiness, and to spend time in nourishing natural places. Next year I will continue to support these causes and begin sharing my skills in new creative ways. Search online for local opportunities and find something which resonates with you.
Care for my garden, care for myself: Currently my little green oasis comes in the form of a beautiful allotment. I have a connection with this space which runs deep like the roots of the trees, which provide support and nourishment. I see it as a sanctuary, where the more energy I put into it, the more I get out of it. It provides me with beautiful flowers, delicious organic vegetables, and a place to find peace and serenity, to get inspired, and to gain focus. Next year I will be bringing in new ideas with a focus on the supportive nature of a garden, which takes care of my mental and physical health, and I invite you to do the same. If you book me for a garden design consultation, I will work with you to explore the potential of your garden. Caring for ourselves also means spending time with others. After so much time apart, let’s celebrate the opportunity to be together (in a responsible way), through one of my immersive workshops or we can meet in the virtual space at one of my online talks.
Upcoming Events
Online Talks: Join me for a series of inspiring online talks on garden design, gardening and growing food. Cosy up with a hot drink and relax as you expand your knowledge from the comfort of your own home. My debut talk will be available to book soon, and I can’t wait to meet you all online. Do you have friends who love gardening or who want to be a little more green fingered? Be sure to invite them along and share the link. Dates will be shared in my next blog so watch this space.
Workshops: Join me for a series of beautifully crafted workshops on garden design and growing food in the stunning setting of Beckenham Place Park Mansion. Learn the fundamentals of this fascinating subject and let your creativity roam free. You will go home with a host of wonderful ideas and an initial design to get you started on your own project. These immersive events will launch this Spring, with two dates to choose from every month. Dates will be revealed soon.
Wishing you all health and happiness for the month ahead. Make the most of the daylight hours by embracing time in your garden or out in a beautiful natural landscape. Dig out your favourite jumper, prepare a flask of tea, and soak up the glory of the Winter.
Until next time, be good to each other, and speak soon.
Discovering Gardens 