My blog is something that I have found a lot of joy in. It has been helping me to improve many different skills including being able to channel my never-ceasing, spinning mind into something cohesive that I can feel proud about, even if it isn’t perfect. It has lead me to create articles that never turn out the way I originally intended. It also allows me to share my thoughts with all of you, thank you so much for checking out my article today.
Today, I want to talk about a revelation I had about 8 months ago. I had been incredibly busy with various tasks and responsibilities that had kept me very distracted for weeks at a time. I finally had a spare moment of time when I looked over at my houseplants in my living room and noticed not just the leaves falling limp, but lots of yellow dying leaves as well.
I preceded to take some time to pick off the dead leaves, water the plants, and take some cuttings to begin propagation for some new plants. It took only a few moments of my day, but by doing so I helped ensure that I would be able to continue to enjoy those plants in my home.
As I had worked through these tasks, I was frustrated that I let it get this bad. I paid good money for those plants, I enjoyed watching the plants grow, and the dying plants were an eyesore that bothered me every time I walked into the room. Why did I let it get this way?
I reflected back on the past few weeks and realized that my mind had been spinning wildly out of control as I worked to balance all the different things going on in my life. Whether it was personal or professional, I was overcommitted. I found myself realizing that I was struggling with my mental health.
I know that if I do not have enough spare time in my week to notice my plants need water and to take 20 minutes to water them, then I don’t have enough spare time to rest my mind.
I had found one of my own leading indicator that my mental health was struggling. If my plants were not being taken care of, then I knew my mental health was not doing great.
I begin to take note of comparing my mental health status to the health of my plants.
Roughly six months have gone by and I now realize that looking back, this theory for me is only gaining traction. It has happened on multiple occurrences. I have found my very own mental health warning sign.
These past few months has been very challenging for me for various reasons including changes at work, adopting my first dog, and a few other personal items. This had lead me to put various items on the backburner, one of them being taking care of my mental health.
Last week, I came home on my lunch break and looked over to see one of my favorite plants had 10+ dead leaves hanging off of it. I then spent half of my lunch break watering each of my plants and removing the dead leaves. While I did this, I reflected on the changes I needed to make because I knew my mental health was struggling. I knew I had to reprioritize.
There is this known understanding, in America at least, that conversations typically start by asking how you are and you will reply back with good no matter how you really are. I wonder if we should start asking people how they are based on what their mental health warning signs. So feel free to ask me next time you see me, “How are your plants?” to get an honest answer.
What is your warning sign? How do you know you need to take a step back and make a change for your own mental health? Do you stop reaching out to a good friend? Do you stop taking your dog for a walk? Do you start skipping the gym? I am so curious to hear what other people notice about themselves.
