Rosemary

We have around 60 plants in our home, and my garden is pretty much a secret garden filled with lots of interesting tiny plants.

Last night I wondered how we had got here so quickly, but to be honest, I know why.

You see, I’m someone who could barely keep a plant alive a few years ago, and now they are all happy and flourishing.

So I wondered why. Why the change, and how did I get here?

Well, that’s the question.

Ivy - various varieties

@samanthablackphotography

Plants are a metaphor for life.

In my journey through mindfulness, meditation and wanting to live a life of meaning, I found something in plants that just made sense.

To be honest, in so many ways, I find them to be a metaphor for life

They have basic needs - light, water and an environment in which they will be happy.

Zanzibar Gem.

Taken from my Instagram @samanthablackphotography

Plants are true healers

As long as I satisfy those needs, they will in return give us life, space and peace. But I have to be consistent and aware of their needs always.

They can heal us and we can heal them.

Plants are accepting

They are accepting of their environment and will find ways to pare back and cope with stress. Eventually they can recover when their environment is more suited to their needs.

Plants try to find a way to survive when conditions are not ideal. If the conditions are too bad, they cannot thrive, they wilt, they lose strength and eventually they die.

They live in the present, there is no ego and, they do not try to fight for their place. Plants are happy to find a way be to ‘among’ whilst standing their own ground. They happily share space with others.

In their beauty and resilience, they show gratitude and sometimes forgiveness.

Areca Palm

@samanthablackphotography

They have allowed me to nurture them - for which I’m thankful.

They can teach us

Hope

Humility

Kindness

Compassion

How to be more attentive

Patience

Peace Lily

@samanthablackphotography

It's also no secret that plants are good for our mental and physical health. They are healers, air cleaners, creativity boosters and stress reducers.

If you have been thinking about getting a plant or two, give it a go. Start small and see how you get on. If you can keep just one plant alive, then you're probably ready for another. You'll learn a lot from them. They are teachers for the soul. And if you have children, you can get them involved too. My daughter now has lots of plants, my son has a few too, and they have learned a lot from just a few.

Maybe stop after a few, though, because I seem to have gone a little plant crazy ;-)

Samantha

I'm Samantha. I’m a London and International Lifestyle, Portrait and Commercial Photographer. I create authentic meaningful portraits that resonate with your soul. I also help conscious brands better connect with their tribe through honest storytelling and impactful imagery.

Mindful Mama of 2, leaning into conscious living. Lover of plants and light. I also share mindful notes, stories of wonder and soul lessons I’ve learnt along the way.

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