Motherhood, Flowers, and Time...

In the blink of an eye, Monet is one year old and motherhood is my reality. Last season I took it nice and slow in the garden and plan to do the same again this year. After seven years of growing flowers, I’ve finally found a flow that allows for a calm state of mind and plenty of flowers at the same time. No more hustle. Time truly heals and nourishes. Not only does time nourish a garden by giving space for the soil to rest and for the perennial garden to get established, time also nourishes a mother. I’ve approached pregnancy, birth, and now motherhood with the perspective that allowing things to come about in their own time is vital. Let the soil rest so it can be nutrient rich next season. Let your body rest so it can grow and nourish your baby. In a world where everything is rushed, there is always space to slow down. Take the scenic route. Cancel the plans. Give the perennials time to get established before harvesting stems. Let your baby develop in her own time. Time is an arbitrary construct of our own making, really, so let yourself move at your own pace. Carve out a life devoid of anxiety, hustle culture, and expectations. You wouldn’t hurry a plant along to bloom so why would you put those pressures on yourself? So often we don’t see the in between, the spaces where nourishment and growth happens when we stop “doing” and just let time work its magic. As mothers, we feel pressures from all angles. How long was your labor? Is baby walking yet? You’re still breastfeeding? How many hours is baby sleeping? Time, time, time. The only voice to listen to is your own. Time is arbitrary so just do you. I moved slow through pregnancy and early motherhood, listening to my body and my mind, trusting my inner wisdom. Now, as my garden is bursting to life after being given time to rest, I, myself, feel the same bursting of new life force since having a baby. Monet is headed into toddlerhood, the garden is established, and I’m finding more time for myself, for her, the garden, and all aspects of my life. Adhere to your own schedule, no matter what stage of life you are in. Oh, and of course, take the time to stop and smell the roses. xoxo Matti