Mindfulness – Grounded gardens

Embracing Nature’s Transitions: A Mindfulness Opportunity

Every fall, I’m deeply moved by the profound transformation that occurs in nature. On one hand, this change sneaks in subtly, while on the other, it can be sudden and dramatic. The color variations in an entire forest may shift slowly, but a single tree can transform virtually overnight after a frost. Autumn often conjures up images of vibrant colors and the transition from warm summers to cooler temperatures. However, there’s more – a shift in the fragrances in the air and the textures of clothes we don as the chill sets in.

Practicing mindfulness involves harnessing our senses to immerse in the present moment and focus. These seasonal transitions offer a beautiful backdrop to pause, relish the moment, and absorb the ongoing metamorphosis. If we don’t, time speeds by, and before we know it, autumn’s splendor has passed unnoticed.

Seeing New Colors

During autumn, nature undergoes a palette swap. While summer is characterized by a lush green canvas dotted with vibrant blooms, autumn doesn’t conform to a monochrome backdrop. Here, especially in southern Sweden, the landscape is painted primarily in hues of gold, brown, and red. These colors merge and mix, creating a harmonious view without any single element standing out. Take a moment to observe your surroundings. Refrain from labeling them as beautiful or not; simply witness them.

The Changing Fragrance

Do you sense the freshness, almost a crispness in the air? To me, the cool air feels like a refreshing dip on a scorching summer day. This invigorating air carries unique aromas, varying based on your location. When I walk through our woods near the house, summer air is perfumed with the scent of pine. Come autumn, the fragrance shifts to moist leaves and mushrooms. Explore and identify the scents around you. Instead of pinpointing the source, immerse yourself in the fragrance without judgment.

Autumn’s Attire

In summer, clothing often feels like a necessary inconvenience. Though they provide protection against the sun, many of us prefer lightweight, breezy attire for comfort during warm days. With the advent of autumn, I revel in outfits that I can truly feel on my skin – clothes that warm, embrace, and protect. While I adore snuggling into cozy turtlenecks and warm socks, I often overlook truly experiencing them. This year, I aim to pause, to truly feel the fabric against my skin, meditating on the contact between cloth and skin. Again, the focus isn’t on judgment, but on being in the present moment, feeling the autumn attire.

Savor the shift, cherish the autumn!

Warmly, //Amanda

Cover image by The Vegan Monster

Reaping the Harvest: A Time for Gratitude

The harvest season is synonymous with bustling activity and is also an opportune moment to embrace gratitude. Amid the busy schedules of reaping, processing, children going back to school, and many resuming work after vacations, taking a moment for thankfulness might seem counterintuitive. But if you’ve been looking to cultivate a sense of gratitude, there couldn’t be a more fitting time than now.

In every garden, certain crops, fruits, or berries might flourish more than others each year. The relative success or failure isn’t the focal point here. When practicing gratitude, comparisons have no place. It’s not about measuring against past yields or other crops. It’s about feeling grateful for exactly what you’ve received. Embracing this mindset anchors us firmly in the present.

The Subtleties of Genuine Gratitude

It’s easy to deceive oneself into believing they’re feeling gratitude in the moment without actually delving into comparative evaluations. Let’s assess a few familiar statements:

“I’m so grateful that this year’s potato yield was better than last year!”
“I’m thankful my blueberry plants flourished when I had doubts!”
“The corn didn’t fare well, but thankfully, we got a lot of pumpkins!”
“I’m grateful for that single chili, though I wish we had more.”

Sound familiar? Many of us are conditioned to evaluate and compare. We label things as good or bad, commend each other, and classify matters as abundant or scarce. This isn’t inherently wrong. It’s a method to simplify the world and interact in universally understood terms. But while fostering gratitude, try sidelining this comparative mindset. Consider:

“I’m grateful for the potatoes.”
“I’m thankful for the blueberries.”
“I’m grateful the pumpkins.”
“I’m thankful the chili.”

It’s as straightforward as that. Yet, isn’t it tempting to add a little “but” after each statement? Resist that urge! Halt that thought before it veers into making excuses, comparisons, or judgments. Simply relish the gratitude, right here and now.

Wishing you bountiful blessings!

Cover image by RDNE Stock project

The Mobile Game Trap: Finding Balance in a Digital World

This summer, as the sun kissed the earth and life seemed a bit more relaxed, I stumbled upon a new game on my phone. The game was one of those colorful, captivating puzzles where the objective was to pour colors between different bottles until each bottle had a single hue. In essence, it was designed for mindless entertainment. A true pastime.

It was refreshing to have it during the summer siestas. But as we transitioned from the leisure of summer to the demands of everyday life, I found the game consuming more of my time than I’d like. Especially time I didn’t intend to spend. That’s the trap with these games. They’re crafted to make you want to keep playing.

If you don’t succeed in a level, the urge to retry is powerful. And when you finally succeed, the joy pushes you to attempt the next. Before you know it, hours have passed. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break.

A few years back, during my early tryst with mindfulness, I cleared my phone of similar time-consuming apps like Candy Crush. I also reduced my notifications, tailoring them to only what I genuinely needed. Personal choices that aimed to reduce digital noise.

However, now that I use the same phone for both personal and work purposes, managing notifications has become a challenge. I wonder if there’s a way to schedule notifications? If anyone has insights, do share!

A week ago, I finally deleted that color-pouring game. Though, in a moment of boredom, I did reinstall it. But starting from scratch made me remember why I removed it in the first place. It didn’t take me long to delete it again. Liberation, at last! I’m hopeful this decision will stick, at least until the next summer.

How about you? Are there apps that you find irresistible? How do you manage the pull? In this digital age, sharing strategies to reduce distractions can help all of us focus on what truly brings joy, energy, and positivity into our lives.

Seeking more tech-life balance tips or want to share your own experiences? Drop a comment below! Let’s journey together towards a mindful digital world.

The Art of Mindful Eating: A Transformative Exercise to Reconnect with Your Food

In today’s hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget the essence of eating – nourishment, pleasure, and gratitude. Mindful eating offers a sanctuary to reconnect with these principles, transforming each meal into a moment of reflection and presence. Join me in this transformative exercise and embark on a journey to rediscover the joy of eating mindfully.

What is Mindful Eating?

Mindful eating is a practice that encourages being present during meals. It’s about savoring each bite, acknowledging the flavors, textures, and sensations, and truly appreciating the journey of food from the farm to your fork.

Why Practice Mindful Eating?

Improves Digestion: Paying attention to what you eat can enhance digestion, as the body prepares itself for food when we focus on it.
Promotes Healthy Eating: By listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, you’re less likely to overeat and stop eating when you feel just right or adequately full.
Enhances Enjoyment: Taking the time to savor food increases pleasure and satisfaction from each meal.
Reduces Stress: Being present during meals can act as a form of meditation, reducing anxiety and stress.

Mindful Eating Exercise:

Before beginning, choose a small piece of food – a fruit, a nut, or even a piece of chocolate.

Visual Appreciation: Look at your chosen food item. Notice its shape, color, and texture. Appreciate its beauty and think about its journey to reach you.
Sensory Engagement: Close your eyes and smell the food. What memories or emotions does the scent evoke?
Tactile Exploration: Feel the food with your fingers. Is it smooth, rough, soft, or hard?
Taste: Take a bite but don’t swallow immediately. Let it rest in your mouth. Explore its taste – is it sweet, salty, sour, or bitter? Notice the textures as you chew.
Swallowing: Focus on the act of swallowing. Feel the food traveling down, nourishing your body.
Reflection: Take a moment to express gratitude. For the farmers who grew it, the hands that prepared it, and the earth that produced it.

Mindful Eating Tips:

Start Small: Begin with one meal or snack a day and gradually incorporate it into other meals.
Disconnect to Connect: Keep away from distractions like TV, smartphones, or reading during meals.
Practice Gratitude: Before eating, take a moment to express gratitude for your meal.

Wrapping Up

Mindful eating is a journey, not a destination. It’s about embracing the present moment, reconnecting with your food, and celebrating the simple joys of eating. Ready to embark on this transformative experience? Start today and pave the way for a healthier, more gratifying relationship with your meals.

For more tips and exercises on wellness and mindfulness, explore our blog and subscribe to our newsletter!

Looking for the perfect dish to practice this exercise with? Dive into our curated recipes here!

Cover image by Kamila Bairam

Picking Blueberries with Kids: The Ultimate Practice of Patience

Before parenthood, my blueberry-picking adventures resembled a well-oiled machine. I’d zoom through the forest, swiftly and efficiently collecting buckets full of juicy blueberries to fill my freezer. However, with kids in tow, the blueberry-picking experience has transformed entirely.

First and foremost, there’s the challenge of coaxing them into the forest. On our path, every snail, intriguing stick, radiant flower, and beetle demands attention. Each one must be meticulously inspected and appreciated before we can proceed. Once we venture deeper into the woods, the adventure continues. There are branches perfect for balancing acts, and rocks just waiting to be scaled. Patience, indeed!

Finally, we reach our destination: the blueberry haven. As I settle down to pick, my child’s enthusiasm to join in lights up my heart. So, we pick together, engaging in heartwarming conversations amidst the blueberry bushes. This quality time amidst nature becomes more valuable than any bucket of berries.

But, as lunchtime looms, our little adventure wraps up. As I look into our container, just a handful of blueberries grace the bottom. The freezer might remain berry-less this time, but the day offers something even more precious: a perfect lesson in mindfulness, taught by the best teachers – our children!

Gardening and Embracing the Art of Letting Go

In the gentle realm of gardening, there lies a profound lesson on one of mindfulness’s core attitudes: letting go. This blog post delves deep into how our gardens can teach us the practice of letting go and how this simple act can have profound effects in other facets of our lives. After all, embracing the present moment often means releasing the past or our preconceived notions.

Understanding the Nature of Gardens

Nature, in all its untamed beauty, refuses to be completely controlled. This is true for our gardens as well, regardless of our best efforts to shape them. While certain aspects remain within our grasp, others elude our control. The dynamics change with people, gardens, seasons, and years. And just as mindfulness isn’t about mastering something to use constantly in every life scenario, it’s about knowing when and where to apply it.

The Essence of Letting Go

Is letting go synonymous with admitting defeat? Far from it. Letting go stands in stark contrast to the act of desperately holding on. It’s a journey from confinement to liberation. Intense desires often lead us to a point where our fixation becomes suffocating. Sometimes, the tighter we grip, the more detrimental it becomes, especially if our efforts seem fruitless. The challenge then is not about how much we’ve invested but about finding the courage to release. In setting ourselves free from these chains, not only do we find peace, but often, the universe surprises us in ways we hadn’t imagined, opening doors we hadn’t noticed while we were too focused on a closed one.

Practicing Letting Go in the Garden

My garden has taught me countless lessons. Have you ever nurtured your plants to the point they withered? Or been so engrossed in one aspect that others were left neglected? Or pursued garden perfection only to be left feeling drained? The garden offers endless opportunities to practice letting go. From allowing nature to take its wild course, to moving away from perfectionism, to discarding plants that no longer serve their purpose. For instance, discarding frail tomato plants might be difficult, especially when you’ve invested so much love. Yet sometimes, holding on brings more pain than release. Whether it’s the towering weeds or the unkempt lawn, sometimes the best action is inaction. After all, a few imperfections don’t define your garden’s beauty or worth.

From the Garden to Life

Our gardens become our safe haven, free from judgment, allowing us to practice letting go. With every lesson learned among the flowers and leaves, we find the confidence to apply the same in life’s broader canvas. Letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about making space. Just like taking a breath, releasing it, and making room for the next.

It’s time to stroll into your garden, shedding any notions of perfection or predetermined standards. Embrace it for what it is, and you’ll find yourself looking at it – and perhaps life – with rejuvenated eyes.

Post image: Ksenia Chernaya

Unveiling Acceptance: A Vital Key in the Nine Attitudes of Mindfulness

Dive into a critical component of mindfulness in this blog post: acceptance. Being one of the nine attitudes shaping our day-to-day life, acceptance guides us like a compass through a spectrum of situations, from the mundane to the monumental. While acceptance can be a challenging concept, its transformative potential is simply staggering. This article will not only break down the multifaceted concept of acceptance but also share how to integrate it into different aspects of your life. Particularly, we will discover how this approach can be cultivated through gardening, nourishing both your personal growth and your connection with nature.

The Power of Acceptance Contrary to popular belief, acceptance is far from passive—it’s a potent force! It’s the cornerstone that allows you to respond to situations most effectively. Only by acknowledging and accepting the reality of circumstances can you make the informed decision to act or not, thereby steering towards the outcomes you desire. Acting without understanding and accepting the facts could result in misguided decisions and may leave you miles away from your goal. Acceptance provides the foundation for your journey, and it’s you who charts the course from there. Embracing acceptance can also bestow a sense of serenity, enabling you to let go and simply be present.

The Journey to Self-Acceptance

At the heart of acceptance is a crucial concept: self-acceptance. It’s about embracing your authentic self, without the filters of societal expectations or personal aspirations. Is it an easy feat? Probably not. It’s likely a lifelong journey. But every small step counts. Recognizing and accepting our true selves gives us the autonomy to either continue our current path or venture onto a new one. It presents the potential for change as well as the freedom to appreciate what we already have and who we already are.

Gardening as a Metaphor for Acceptance

Gardening offers an excellent platform for practicing acceptance. The garden is a realm where we have limited control, and changes can only be achieved by accepting the fundamental conditions. For instance, stubbornly planting a seed in frozen soil, ignoring the cold grasp of winter, will leave you with a barren patch—the seed simply won’t germinate. Ignoring a drought and pretending it’s raining will only lead to the demise of your plants. Acceptance in such scenarios translates into action—we water our plants during droughts.

To Act or Let Be

Acceptance not only equips us with the ability to take action but also the strength to allow things to be as they are. We often find ourselves striving to change aspects that might not require alteration. Embracing the reality of these situations can liberate us from futile struggles, freeing up energy for other areas of our lives. Interestingly, once we accept situations, they often begin to resolve themselves in unexpected ways. While it might seem magical, it’s more about the energies we invest or choose not to invest—and both paths can lead to profound results.

In Conclusion, the art of acceptance can lead to seemingly magical outcomes. In essence, it bestows upon you the power to choose your path.

How has gardening, or your interaction with nature, aided you in practicing acceptance? Is acceptance a concept you find difficult or relatively easy to embrace? I would love to hear your experiences and insights in the comments, facilitating a space where we can learn and grow together!

“Unleashing Your Unique Gardening Style for a Blooming Backyard”

Welcome to a blog post that delves deep into the art and science of gardening and the profound influence your personal style has on your green corner. This exploration not only paves the way for understanding your gardening quirks and practices but also broadens your perspective about the myriad ways gardening is perceived and practiced. Through this post, you’ll gain insightful knowledge about how your unique gardening style can shape the beauty and bounty of your garden. Moreover, you’ll uncover effective strategies to embrace your gardening style, thereby enhancing your satisfaction and affection for your garden.

Ever found yourself comparing your garden with others? Do you feel your garden doesn’t quite live up to your expectations? Do you persistently plant the same crops only to face disappointment? I can relate, as these thoughts often cross my mind, draining my energy and creativity. But, fear not! I’ve stumbled upon a mindset that provides a fresh perspective and I am thrilled to share it with you.

Unleashing the Power of Your Gardening Style

The significance of your gardening style is profound; it’s intertwined with your personality and leaves an indelible imprint on your garden. Are you the type who adheres to the gardening guidebook or do you blaze your own trail without much concern for the rules? Do you find yourself often underwatering or overwatering? Are you a meticulous planner, armed with elaborate to-do lists, or do you lean towards a more spontaneous approach? All these factors dictate the final outcome in your garden and create the diversity we see in gardens worldwide. It also explains why different gardeners may offer different solutions to identical problems and why we repeatedly succeed or fail in specific areas. By recognizing and embracing your gardening style, you can create a garden that is a true extension of yourself.

Identifying Your Gardening Style

So, how do you go about identifying your gardening style? It’s simpler than you think. Start by observing yourself and your garden. Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in raising your awareness about your actions and their impact on your garden. Here are a few questions to help you kickstart this process: Are your plants frequently a casualty of over or under-watering? Are you a stickler for instructions or do you let your intuition guide you? Is there a task in the garden you often overlook? Is there an aspect of gardening you find monotonous? What gardening tasks do you truly enjoy?

Selecting the Right Plants and Crops

With a clearer understanding of your gardening style, it’s time to adjust your garden and your choice of plants accordingly. If you enjoy following instructions, then make it a point to read about plants before purchasing them. Choose plants that harmonize with your gardening style. If you often forget to water, opt for drought-tolerant species. If you detest weeding, consider interplanting or cultivating ground cover plants. If you’re a gardener who trusts your instincts, that’s fantastic! Start experimenting and apply the ‘trial and error’ method. Analyze why certain plants thrived and others failed. If it’s due to your gardening practices, consider not planting that particular crop next year.

Conclusion

Your contribution to your garden is invaluable, and a deeper awareness of your gardening style can pave the way for greater success and a reduction in frustration. By cultivating plants that align with your style, you can make your gardening journey more enjoyable and take pride in your personal haven. Your garden, in essence, becomes a reflection of your personality. So, the next time you take a sneak peek over your neighbor’s hedge, you may uncover something unique about their gardening style!

I’m eager to hearing about your unique gardening styles and learning about any adjustments or innovations you’re considering for your own gardening practice. Is there a specific plant or crop that consistently poses a challenge, demanding relentless efforts each year? In my case, it’s cabbage… Despite my best efforts, I consistently struggle with adequately protecting the plants, often leading to numerous pest invasions. Yet, I stand undeterred and resolute in my refusal to back down. After all, where’s the fun in gardening without a few trials and tribulations along the way!

Embracing the Wind: An Unexpected Mindfulness Anchor

On a recent day, I found myself heading out for what would turn out to be quite a long walk, my main objective being to coax my daughter into a soothing sleep. As the minutes ticked by, my senses suddenly tuned into the wind around me. It was a fairly windy day, and I couldn’t help but take notice. I felt the wind gently brushing against my cheeks, heard its whisper as it rustled the leaves, and watched as it playfully danced in the treetops. It was an unexpected, spontaneous moment of mindfulness, effortlessly infused into my daily routine.

Such moments of spontaneous mindfulness, where we stumble upon a connection with the present, hold a special place in my heart. They are devoid of the pressure of expectation and performance; they simply present themselves in their pure form. And this organic manifestation is precisely how mindfulness should naturally unfold.

Navigating through today’s society, marked by a strong emphasis on achievements and goal-oriented living, it becomes quite a challenge to embrace the converse. Undertaking an action without the compulsion to judge it or steer it towards a certain outcome seems contrary to the norm. In moments of unexpected mindfulness, I’ve often caught myself thinking, “I should make this happen more often.” Without even realizing, I impose a value judgment on what just occurred and subtly set a goal, however indistinct it may be.

Among the multitude of mindfulness principles, one that I find particularly challenging is the art of simply ‘letting things be’. Not aspiring for a specific goal, refraining from passing judgment on my actions or inactions – it’s a tough practice. However, it’s vital to remember that a mindful moment just happens. Full stop. No qualifiers or conjunctions. It exists purely as it is.

Have you experienced these spontaneous moments of mindfulness that simply find their way to you? I’m eager to hear your stories and learn from your experiences.

Sending warm wishes your way, enveloped in the summer wind!

//Amanda

Grounding in Nature: Reap the Benefits of Barefoot Gardening and Earthing Practices

Engaging in gardening while barefooted offers an unparalleled opportunity to bond with Mother Earth and reap the benefits of earthing. In this post, we delve into the practice of earthing, shedding light on how barefoot gardening can enhance your overall wellness.

The advent of summer signals the perfect time to slip off your shoes. As a child, I was an avid barefoot explorer, indifferent to the terrains I trod upon—be it asphalt, gravel, grass, sand, or pine-strewn forest paths. However, as I matured, my perception transformed. The sensation of sand squishing between my toes started to bother me, the harshness of gravel became unbearable, and the touch of damp grass was no longer a favorite.

But, as it’s often said, change is the only constant. My perspective has taken a new turn, and I’ve rekindled my love for strolling barefoot. Despite the occasional discomfort and minor impracticalities, I sense its inherent benefits. I believe that it gifts me an extraordinary connection—a profound bond with the planet we inhabit. When I consciously experience the diverse terrains beneath my feet, it enlightens me in various ways.

I find myself developing heightened awareness of my feet—the toes, heels, and the weight they bear. The way I walk. The manner in which my feet interact with the underlying surface. The tangible contact with the stone, grass, and sand. I learn to appreciate the unique textures of various terrains, establishing an intimate connection.

In conclusion, the simple act of shedding your shoes and grounding yourself through barefoot gardening is more than just a quirky hobby—it’s a holistic approach to embracing nature’s subtle miracles. By indulging in this practice, you’re inviting an awakening of your senses, a renewed mindfulness, and a profound respect for our Earth. As the delicate variations of the world beneath our feet stimulate our awareness, we are reminded of the beautiful interconnectedness of life. So, the next time you venture into your garden, I encourage you to consider doing so barefoot. Embrace the opportunity to ground yourself physically and spiritually, all while nurturing the vibrant life that springs from the soil beneath you. Here’s to healthier, more mindful experiences with our remarkable planet!