A few weeks ago I kept waking up around 3:30 in the morning with a flood of worries running through my head…should we send the kids to school or keep them home, will they will be ok wearing masks that long, are we drinking enough water, how much screen time did the kids have today…it went on and on. After about 4 or 5 nights of this, it occurred to me that I needed to take my own advice...I had to get back in my garden and “pull some weeds”!
The roots of my You Are a Gardener® program are all about positive communication and talking about your negative, feelings, thoughts and emotions with someone you trust like a parent, friend, sibling, family member or a teacher. But, sometimes when you find yourself constantly ‘watering your weeds’ more than your flowers (paying more attention to your negative thoughts instead of your positive thoughts), it may be time to reach out and connect with a certified professional.
I have been seeing someone consistently for almost 3 years now and check in about once a month. Given the whirlwind of events over the last several months I was not checking in on a regular basis. These ‘wake ups’ I was having were a real sign that I needed some outside support. Mental wellness takes a lot of energy and focus. Paying attention to the thoughts that are running through our minds is a good indication to where our energy is flowing and if we need some redirection.
“According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts. If we repeat those negative thoughts, we think negative way more than we think positive thoughts.”
This is the same with children, being proactive with their mental well-being requires a lot of dedication and attention. Getting kids to talk about their negative feelings and emotions is just as important as empowering them with the tools to recognize when something is bothering them.
No matter your age, ‘gardening’ is a constant process full of weeding, watering, planting and appreciating. The more positive attention we give our gardens, the more we will be rewarded with the fruits of our labor.
“Choose to feel joy to create blossoms so bright. You are a Gardener.” ~Shanna Truffini
To learn how to start gardening at home with your kids watch our Gardening 101 video with #GardenerAnna by CLICKING HERE --> Gardening 101
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