Hey friends! It’s Wednesday, so it’s garden talk. I will mostly stick to the topic and share the windowsill seedling progress and a few things I’m learning about permaculture, but I’m going a bit off-script with some personal reflections as the end of the year approaches.
Quick Seedling Update
The lettuce leaf basil seedlings have sprouted! It's so tiny, just starting to seek the light. Dill, chives, and parsley still need to show up, but we should see some action in the next few days. Happy birthday, seedlings!
Learning about permaculture
I’ve picked up reading again and started on The Sustainable Homestead by Angela Ferro-Fanning.
2 new things I’ve learned from this book so far.
The three pillars of permaculture are caring for the earth, caring for the people, returning surplus to the land, and sharing with the people. This is how I want to live my life. I watch and nurture the nature around me, care well for people, and share the surplus to the land. I realized that everything I need to grow food and feed others successfully is already provided through the sun, rain, soil, carbon, nutrients, and microbes.
Read the weeds. The soil will tell you what it lacks based on the weeds you find present. For example, crabgrass implies poor, dry soil conditions that lack organic matter and fertility. Another is dandelions, which indicate compacted soil with excess potassium or calcium deficiency. It’s so fascinating how this works.
As we close out the year I’m sharing something a little different from the usual. Reflection and how I’ve made it through a tough year.
The last few years have been a mind-numbing, faith-building roller coaster. From returning from culinary school, COVID-19, dealing with depression, loneliness, my blog, and family, how much time have you got? I've tried to deal with it as gracefully as possible, but it hasn’t been easy. I've experienced firsthand, at church, among friends, and through community, the power of sharing stories. If more people shared their journey through the hard stuff, we might find infinite encouragement to lift us through. I am sharing some things that have gotten me through tough times in the hope that you find some encouragement or hope wherever you are.
To blog or not to blog
Over the last 4 years, I have been in an on-and-off relationship with my blog. Yes, that is a long time. Negative thoughts of comparison, fear, depression, overwhelm seemed to never let up. I had this blossom of creativity and passion in my hands, a seed just waiting to be nurtured to grow, yet not being watered. The most painful thing was knowing I had a good idea and passion but never sharing it. The first thing I had to do was recognize I had something good in my hands.
One question
My attitude dramatically changed when I asked myself one question. I probably heard it from a friend or someone on Instagram, which really stuck with me. Would I regret not having at least given it a shot 5, 10, or even 20 years from now? The answer was yes. I would regret it terribly. I could not let go. This was the first step in digging myself out of the hole I’d gotten into. The second step was nurturing what was right in front of me.
Turn your waiting room into your classroom.
Something else dramatically changed my mindset, coming directly from the online community. My favorite YouTuber, Jess Sowards of Roots and Refuge Farm, always shares nuggets of wisdom. This one phrase hit me immediately. "Turn your waiting room into your classroom." In other words, what’s in my hands now that I can steward or care for well. What does this look like for me? Well, I can nurture my blog and the community already around me. I can read as many permaculture and homesteading books as possible in preparation for my dreams. I can also continue to learn and grow in my cooking and baking skills. The list of things I could do became longer than the list of things I couldn’t. I decided to look at what was around me as an opportunity, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I work hard to practice this daily; it’s not easy, but it has only led to good things in my life. I don’t know if that will speak to you, but I had to share Jess’s wisdom.
Benefits to vulnerability
It’s not always easy for me to be vulnerable, but I feel led to try something new, put myself out of my comfort zone, and not let my uncomfortableness prevent me from making new connections with people. I realized that sharing what you love with others and embracing discomfort leads to more empathy, connection, kindness, and encouragement.
Thanks for sticking with me through this reflection; I will leave you with this last thought. What’s a community without encouragement and support for its people? If you need motivation, someone to stand with you, or support of any kind, I’m always here. Have a great week!
Sierra