How to Relax for Free

One thing that’s really been helping me relax and get well has been so simple (and free!) – just getting outdoors, taking in the fresh Carolina air, and enjoying the natural beauty all around me.

IMG_2417-1.jpg

I haven’t been interested in doing much over the last couple sick days (in face, I’ve barely left the house), but I did try to take a couple minutes here and there to just go in my backyard and check out how the plants are doing.

IMG_2409-1.jpg

I’ve enjoyed seeing how the herbs my mom gave me are doing.

IMG_2434-1.jpg

Watching how herbs from last year that I thought would die during the winter have come back full force.

IMG_2408-1.jpg

Checking out how the plants I’ve not placed around the yard are doing. I hope they like their new home!

(my mom told me that my dad liked to plant the little blue flowers for his mom)

IMG_2411-1.jpg

These two strawberry plants are awaiting a project this weekend. I’m hoping to find some strawberry pots for them.

IMG_2412-1.jpg

But most of the plants I purchased with my mom at the farmers market are now in the ground and hopefully spreading their roots.

IMG_2413-1.jpg

We have a lot of shady areas in the back yard, which makes plant buying a little more difficult. I love how the pink leaves on this plant bring in color without flowers.

IMG_2415-1.jpg

My squash seeds are really growing now! I’m hoping to have squash I can actually eat in 2-4 weeks.

IMG_2418-1.jpg

I’m hoping this baby lavender plant does well – there are a few lavender recipes I’ve been wanting to try!

IMG_2421-1.jpg

And look here – future banana peppers!

IMG_2422-1.jpg

My square foot garden – oh how I’m loving watching you grow and grow.

IMG_2423-1.jpg

These tiny flower buds are forming on the tomato plants. I’m hoping for cherry and green zebra tomatoes in 1-3 weeks!

IMG_2429-1.jpg

My tri-color green beans are coming right along. Only a couple of the seeds didn’t sprout, so I planted new ones. They’ll be up in no time.

IMG_2432-1.jpg

A gorgeous lemon thyme.

IMG_2430-1.jpg

And tarragon! We’ll see how everything does where I put it. *fingers crossed*

Sometimes, it’s so easy to get caught up in every day life and forget to pay attention to little details. But, there’s something so peaceful in just being outside, feeling wind blowing around you, hearing birds chirp. I’m really enjoying watching my plants grow and take shape…seeing flowers bud and bloom…watching seedlings develop fruits. Every day, I see a little something different. 😉

But, you don’t need your own garden or yard to take in nature. Go for a walk, look at your neighbors plants (the ones in public view, not the ones in their back yard! lol), notice the details in a single flower, visit a park. Get thee outdoors, breathe in that wonderful, fresh air, and get omm with nature.

How do you relax for free?

3 thoughts on “How to Relax for Free”

  1. I only have a few things planted in my small garden – salad leaves mostly as they grow so quickly and are quite expensive to buy in the supermarket – but I just love watching things grow. We are getting a lot of rain and a lot of sunshine lately so everything is growing like crazy. I can also see strawberries forming on plants that I didn’t really do anything with for an entire year so I am humbled by their durability and I can’t wait to eat them when they arrive 😉

    Reply
  2. I love how such tiny seeds and plants can grow to sprout strawberries and zucchini! My favorite way to relax is by reading a good book or listening to calming music. I’m sure that once I have the room to garden, it’d be an awesome way to relax 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Comment