My garden is definitely my therapy. I didn’t realize until I took on gardening how therapeutic it can be. When I’m outside working the soil my cares and worries just seem to fall away into the dirt, plus I sleep a whole lot better than I used to. Working at home as a freelance writer I have time that most probably don’t, but keep in mind, like many other Americans I’m working at home freelance because I am also laid off. Our other car broke down last year and so freelance writing from home became almost the only option besides the few gigs we pick up here and there.
I decided last winter that, with the economy being what it was and the lack of transportation, I was going to raise a garden to soak up my energy and produce some much needed food. It has also helped me release a lot of the stress I feel about everyday things like money. I get out every morning and weed, water and check everything out to see how it’s doing. I’m sure my neighbors think I’m crazy because I have this one patch that is a weed magnet and instead of spraying it I get out and do it all by hand. It’s very time consuming but it’s done organically and again it’s therapy, cheaper than any doctor you could spend $90 an hour on and it doesn’t require meds.
This little weed patch has become what I call my anger management field. When I go out and work it I take a bucket with me and get down on my hands and knees with a hand spade and dig away. I use a bucket so that I have to get up when it’s full, give myself a break from the kneeling position and the heat and force myself to take a break and get a drink. Some days I have enough frustration that if I didn’t use a small bucket I’d be out there for hours on end without a break.
It is really hard work but the rewards are so great that it makes every back breaking bit I do worth it. My attitude has improved even in these tough times, I smile a whole lot more and it takes the edge off the real tough days. It’s ten times better than a pill, a bar or a nervous breakdown.
