From plant serial killer to green thumb: 5 life lessons learned on the journey
Before 2020, I was a serial killer of plants. Every time I bought a plant, it would wither away under my care. I especially struggled with growing avocado trees from their pits, attempting various techniques with no success.
However, during the confinement period, a surprising discovery changed everything and sparked my newfound passion for gardening. This experience not only transformed my relationship with plants but also had a profound impact on how I approach life itself.
The Miraculous Avocado
Amidst the lock-down, I noticed a plant sprouting in the container where I had planted some avocado pits. Excitement overwhelmed me as I finally achieved success. Encouraged by this small victory, I planted more pits and started educating myself on plant care. I even found myself giving advice to my mother, who had also been attempting the same without luck.
The Unexpected Twist
After a few weeks, the other avocado pits I had planted also started sprouting, but to my surprise, they didn’t resemble the initial plants at all. Perplexed, I shared photos of the plants on a Facebook group, seeking answers. It turned out that the first plant, which I mistook for avocado trees, was actually apricot tree. Unbeknownst to us, we had previously placed apricot pits in the same container and forgotten about them.
The Journey Continues
Inspired by my breakthrough, I expanded my gardening endeavors, planting basil, potatoes, and more. I immersed myself in Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, devouring gardening knowledge from experts and fellow enthusiasts. The newfound hobby became a passion, consuming most of my time and attention.
Discovering life’s wisdom in the garden
Why am I telling you this story? Because the lessons I learned from my plant-growing journey extend far beyond the realm of gardening. These lessons can be applied to various domains of life, reminding us of the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and self-belief.
1. Self confidence matters
This the key lesson from this story. The moment I thought I had finally succeeded in growing avocados was the pivotal turning point in my gardening journey. This unexpected triumph spurred me to pursue more and more challenges in gardening. I began to trust in my skills and actively worked towards achieving greater success in nurturing plants.
Believe in yourself and your abilities. Cultivating self-confidence plays a crucial role in overcoming challenges along the way. Self belief empowers us to embrace opportunities, take risks, and achieve our goals in various domains of life.
2. Persistence Pays Off
Just like in gardening, the principle of persistence applies to all aspects of life. Whether it’s overcoming setbacks in our careers or pursuing our passions, the key is to keep trying, learning from each experience, and never giving up on our dreams.
3. Dedicate Time to Learning
Gardening demands knowledge and understanding. By investing time in research and learning from reliable sources, we can improve our skills and increase our chances of success. Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth and achieving excellence in any field.
4. Patience is a Virtue
Growing plants requires patience. It takes time for seeds to sprout, for shoots to grow, and for plants to bear fruit. This lesson translates to various aspects of life, reminding us to practice patience and appreciate the journey rather than solely focusing on the end result.
5. Learn from Mistakes
In the early stages of my plant-growing journey, I made several mistakes that led to the demise of many plants. However, instead of getting discouraged, I learned from those mistakes. Embracing failures as opportunities for growth and learning allows us to improve and increase our chances of success in any endeavor.
My transformation from a plant serial killer to a passionate gardener has been a remarkable journey. Through persistence, dedicated learning, self-confidence, patience, and learning from mistakes, I turned my once-dead garden into a thriving oasis.
Remember, success in life, just like the growth of a plant, requires time, effort, and a steadfast commitment to learning and improving.