Finding Solace in the Soil

Life has a way of throwing curveballs. For me, the stress of work, the weight of responsibilities, and the general chaos of everyday life started to feel overwhelming. I needed an escape, something that would allow me to switch off, to breathe, to just be. I never expected that gardening would become that escape.

In my early thirties, I found myself drawn to the outdoors. I don't remember exactly how it started, but I do remember the feeling-being outside, hands in the soil, surrounded by nature. It was like a reset button for my mind. The more time I spent in the garden, the more I realized how much I needed it. It wasn't just a hobby; it was a form of therapy.

Gardening became my way to cope with life's challenges, a space where I could reflect, recharge, and escape.

From a Tiny Garden to a True Sanctuary

Back when I lived in Nantwich, my garden was small-tiny, really. A little patch of green in a terrace house, squeezed between two very different but equally intrusive neighbors. On one side, an elderly couple who were, let's say, enthusiastic about their drinking habits. On the other, a family with three young children and a trampoline that seemed to be in constant use. Privacy was non-existent, and my garden didn't feel like the sanctuary I needed it to be.

Then we moved to Congleton. Everything changed. Our new home had space-real space. A front garden, a side area that we transformed into a little allotment, and a sun-drenched backyard filled with plants. Best of all, I wasn't overlooked. No more drunken conversations drifting over the fence, no more relentless trampoline squeals. Just peace.

Moving to a home with a bigger garden gave me the freedom to truly embrace gardening as my escape.

The Healing Power of Plants

There's something about gardening that forces you to slow down. You can't rush nature. Seeds take time to sprout, flowers bloom in their own season, and plants demand patience. In a world that constantly pushes us to move faster, do more, and be everywhere at once, gardening is the opposite. It's grounding-literally.

On tough days, when my mind is racing and my stress levels are through the roof, I step outside. I dig, I plant, I prune. The simple act of tending to my garden calms me. It reminds me that growth takes time, that beauty can come from chaos, and that sometimes, all you need is a little fresh air and dirt under your nails.

What's Next? Chelsea Flower Show, Obviously

Okay, maybe not quite yet. But a girl can dream. Gardening has become such a huge part of my life that I can't imagine a future without it. There's always something new to learn, a new plant to try, a new way to make my little green haven even better.

For now, I'll keep doing what I love-spending my weekends in the garden, experimenting with new plants, and enjoying the quiet moments that gardening gives me. And who knows? Maybe one day, I'll find a way to balance my work in advocacy with a gold medal at Chelsea. Stranger things have happened.

Gardening isn't just about plants; it's about finding peace, purpose, and a place to escape.