Gardening Herbs & Vegetables for Mindfulness & relaxation

Gardening can be relaxing and a great way to be mindful

As a child, I spent most of my time outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and gardening. I fondly recall the wonderful adventures I shared with my family in nature. Eventually, I left my hometown and moved to the bustling city of London, Ontario. While London boasts beautiful parks, I longed for the fresh water lakes and nature trails I grew up with. My passion for gardening grew, leading me to study different plant species. Living in a small apartment was quite disheartening, so I made the most of it by cultivating indoor plants and flowers. I amassed a collection of pots and gardening tools, dreaming of one day owning a home with ample land. Eventually, I relocated from my small apartment to a townhouse, where I could finally garden outdoors. Although my gardening space was just 10 ft by 10 ft, it was a welcome improvement. I avidly collected Canadian Gardening magazines and felt disappointed when they ceased publication, but I held onto them, dreaming of my own backyard paradise. Finally, I purchased a house and began designing and creating gardens. Although I moved several times, leaving projects incomplete, I gained valuable experience along the way.

I recently relocated from the city to settle in the small community of Glencoe, Ontario. I instantly fell in love with the people and the lifestyle. My home is situated on a 1/2 acre property adorned with beautiful trees, providing a perfect canvas for creating my gardens.

In this video, you'll see the vegetable garden I've managed to establish, and I'm eager to watch it grow and see how much I can harvest.

I was inspired to make this video because I understand from experience how challenging it can be to lack a garden or access to nature.

Many of us lead fast-paced, stressful lives with little relief. From my own experience, I've found that even planning a future garden can be rewarding. It provided me with the inspiration and motivation to continue learning both personally and professionally. Given my passion for plants, it's no surprise that I became an aromatherapist. These oils have helped me countless times.

It's essential to recognize that engaging with plants fosters mindfulness, helping you to relax and become free from stress.

If you want to begin designing a garden, start on a small scale. Many people tell me they don't have a green thumb, but I don't agree. With some time and knowledge, anyone can start a garden. Even having a small plant like the Persian violet, Exacum affine, can be a wonderful idea. I began with one, and it didn't bloom. I couldn't figure out why, and we didn't have the internet or YouTube to search for answers. Then one day, I noticed my cat nibbling at my plant, essentially pruning it. Wouldn't you know it, it bloomed a week later.

I hadn't realized how easy it is to grow herbs and how fragrant they can be. This year (2025), I cultivated various herbs with the intention of using them in my cooking. Additionally, I plan to create herb-infused olive oil, which I look forward to sharing in another video.

I hope you find as much joy in watching the video as I did in cultivating my garden and creating it.

Love your body, mind & soul

Healing Wellness Path