My best friend recently introduced me to the “Art of Husbandry” and it’s actually a fascinating concept. Has nothing to do with humans, but it does involve..yep, plants. 😊

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I like to make sure I’m accurate with anything I work on, so here are two definitions for us to explore. “…the care, cultivation, and breeding of crops and animals; management and conservation of resources.” (Google, 2021) Now at first, when I read this I said..how can this translate to me? A bit of advice if you find yourself in research limbo…check the synonyms!

For a plant to be nurtured properly it has to have access to soil, water, and sunlight. I know there are a few species of plants that don’t need much, but for this post…let’s stick to the ones that do. In addition to those three things, you must practice good husbandry or good housekeeping.

What does that look like?

It looks different for every plant and this is where being an open-minded learner comes in handy. Every plant—like every person—is different. To see growth, you have to spend time with the plant and make observations. Now, we all know a rushed process is an incomplete process. With good husbandry, things take time, effort, and good communication. I highly recommend talking to yourself and your plants.

Where’s the connection?

I see your question and I raise you this: Are you practicing good husbandry within yourself? A plant can’t bloom without sunlight and the sunlight is outside, so…the same goes for you! Your love—self-love MUST have room to bloom. It must be visible and well-kept.

Are you ready to bloom?

I think the scariest thing for me was admitting there were thoughts I needed to process. Things I needed to speak even if I said them only to myself. Releasing thoughts is a great way to start. Breaking the cycles of shame, doubt, & trauma starts with a conversation. One you must have within. Last week, we talked about misplaced insecurities and how detrimental those can be to the healing process. Silence has the same effect. When you subscribe to living in silence it defeats the purpose of good husbandry. Pushing things to the side is like not watering your plants for a week and wondering why they look so sickly. You have to put in the time, even when it feels tedious. I enjoy analogies and correlations…so for me, releasing thoughts is like cleaning house. Cleaning house…housekeeping…& that puts us…YEP! You guessed it—right back to good husbandry.

The bottom line is this. It’s time out for holding everything in, especially those things that hinder your growth. A garden takes work, life takes work, and there are going to be times where you want to throw in the towel and let it all die. Don’t give into that. Take the time to cultivate a relationship with yourself. I believe starting with your inner child is a wonderful way to begin. (Stay tuned for that!) Be a good housekeeper to yourself and watch how your relationships with others improve. We can’t pour from empty cups and you can’t say you’re a good friend or partner if you don’t take the time to work through thoughts that keep you secluded from your authentic self. It’s like a cycle—not being true to you hinders your growth and it keeps you from your dreams, family, and friends as well.

Let’s get to work, Sweeties! 💕🌻

You owe it to yourself to be the best version of yourself —no matter what, show up for yourself. Trust me, every day is not chocolate-covered turtles—my personal favorite.🥰 HOWEVER, every day is worth working towards those turtles. Keep going, keep growing, & keep practicing good husbandry by giving yourself unconditional love mixed with grace and tons of understanding. Take care!

—ToriB💕