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My question today is a bit heavier then usual. To all my people who… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Zan~ Anxious Planter

My question today is a bit heavier then usual. To all my people who struggle with mental health how do you cope with maintaining your plant tasks and how do you manage to treat and recover both yourself and neglected plants. I’ve had a rough few spots lately and as a result I’m experiencing what feels like a plague affecting everything under my care. I’m super overwhelmed and I’m just wondering how you cope with these experiences and the feelings associated with your plants failing in some ways. It feels strange because usually I’m able to be the one to offer plant advice to those in need but it’s hard when the shoe is on the other foot. Any advice or just any ideas on what I could do to help with anything is welcome I just need some advice on what I should do. Thank you in advance.

17 likes 14 comments

14 comments

  1. Jayden

    Honestly I use taking care of my plants as therapy🌱 my mindset is even if I can’t take care of my self I at least can take care of my plants. I’m wishing you the best of luck tho🤗

    3 likes
  2. Anya

    I’m disabled so my function varies day to day. 😊 I ask for help and teach others how to assist me. It’s really important for me to be kind to myself and recognize that just because my abilities are limited doesn’t mean it’s my fault or that I’m not trying hard enough. When it comes to plant care I have mostly hardy/drought tolerant plants though I have recently added a few more finicky ones and a greenhouse cabinet (though those stay moist for a while). My plants are totally part of my therapy and give me purpose. Even if I can only water one, that’s something. Anything that can be in a self watering situation or even semi hydro (which can go longer without maintenance) is easier. And lastly don’t be afraid to give away a plant before it perishes or compost ones that are really struggling. The tasks I have most difficulty with are actually things like repotting, pest prevention, and fertilizing, because they’re not as necessary as watering and can take more energy. I really hope things get easier for you soon 🖤 Oh and remember that you’re not failing your plants. They spent time with you and brought you joy as they grew. I have no idea if any of this will help but I hope it does!

    8 likes
    • Zan~ Anxious Planter

      Hmm thanks those are some good points I might just need to make some friends who like plants it’s true they have spent time with me and quite literally grew with me ig it’s just hard to admit that sometimes I’m not the me I feel like and need help ig idk it’s a weird thing I love my plants just not in running conditions mentally. I forget that I change just as much as my plants do.

      2 likes
  3. Mariah

    Just to echo others- and I know is SO much easier said than done, so I’m saying it for you AND me… be kind to yourself. 🩶 I also really struggle with the idea of failure, so let me also tell you… we aren’t failures. ☺️ As Anya said, your plants are bringing you joy and I definitely know that is a form of therapy in itself. Spreading out your collection among other people is a brilliant idea and that would also be sharing things that brought you joy, which is a wonderful thing. And it’s okay to take a break from the plant world if you think you need that. Taking care of yourself is top on the “important things” list and that can look like many different things. I may not know you irl, but you are not alone. 🩶

    4 likes
    • Zan~ Anxious Planter

      Thx makes it feel a bit less like I’m the problem I tend to get into that thinking easy dude to the nature of some of my issues

      1 like
    • Mariah

      You are not a problem, my dear. Problems don’t reach out and ask for help or advice. 😉 We just have spicy brains and learning to navigate and appreciate can be hard… but acknowledging it and having these conversations are key and I am proud of you for that. 🩶

      2 likes
  4. k_ashby_grows

    for me, i try to put them all in one spot to make them easy to access and so they aren’t so scattered. the hardest thing is dragging myself out of bed to actually get to where my plants are, but once i’m at that point, i will take a moment to just sit with them. i don’t really look over them or check them, i just sit with them. it makes me feel better and usually afterwards i have enough energy to make a small meal or have a snack, maybe take a shower, and then let myself rest. the most important thing to remember is that your plants dying is not a reflection on you!! it’s a product of your anxiety and mental illness, and one thing my therapist has said is that after a bad episode, it’s nice to see the slow growth as you help get your plants back to health. plants are self-care!! take care of yourself the best you can and give yourself space to heal. your plants are resilient and so are you <3

    5 likes
    • Plant Father

      this is a huge part of why a majority of my collection is in my bedroom (about 20 plants) vs scattered across the apartment. i get to wake up, stretch, see how i feel, and just spend a moment looking at my little jungle. spider plants, prayer plants, hoyas, monstera deliciosa, and m. adansonii. they all make me happy, without even having to move. i love how therapeutic it is just owning plants. and how wholesome this thread is ❣️

      3 likes
    • Zan~ Anxious Planter

      Thanks makes a bit more sense as I’m realizing that some of it just is the initial shock and fear that is causing the symptoms rn I do plan on trying to reserve some energy to get all my plants that are around my room under my grow light so far my biggest plants are there does kinda sting seeing my fav plant with a bright yellow leaf but your right and so is everyone else there always is a chance to start anew just stings feeling like something is struggling due to my ability to care for them I do know it’s not all my fault but I do feel i can do better and need to

      2 likes
    • Plant Father

      it absolutely is painful to see things decline, but i wish you luck helping your plants and yourself feel a little better. best advice i’ve ever given myself or anyone else is to just take things one day at a time— tackle what you can and leave the rest for tomorrow.

      3 likes
    • k_ashby_grows

      you take care of your plants just as much as they take care of you <3 humans get yellow leaves and wilt and we sometimes need help adjusting, just like plants do. i wish you lots of love and energy :) take care of yourself!!

      0 likes
  5. MamaJuju

    When I’m struggling with “executive dysfunction” in relation to my mental health, just do ONE thing a day. Don’t think of it as “chores”, think of it as helping your plant friend. Soon you’ll be back into the swing of things once you see your list of overwhelming tasks dwindling. If you have to write a list of steps out to fix the ONE plant you’re going to help today, check it off as you go. I’m 32 and it’s taken me 12 years to figure this out. One small step a day, one day at a time. Then look at your list at the end of the day, look at your plant, and realize your accomplishment. It’s positive reinforcement v.s negative feedback. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anything or anyone. When you start to hear the negative thoughts creep in, bounce your mind to something positive. “It’s a beautiful day outside”, “A new leaf appeared on a plant I thought was a goner”, “I showered today and I feel better”, “I have someone/something wonderful in my life at this moment”, “I said something hilarious and made someone laugh”. I’ve struggled with childhood trauma, been in a terrible accident, struggled with eating disorders. Any time you start to let the negative poison seep in, it only hurts you. Then you play the “I deserve this” game and allow it. DO. NOT. Because you deserve to feel happy about the body and mind you are in. With practice, you will win. The number one thing that has changed me for the better is that it’s others’ *perceived* opinions of me that affect me most but ultimately don’t matter. They don’t know you like you know you. They don’t live your life. They have their OWN insecurities and struggles. Keep your head up, just do life in digestable pieces and don’t worry about the rest. ❤️

    1 like
    • Zan~ Anxious Planter

      Thank you for the advice i really get it. Talking to everyone helped a lot it allowed me to see I was actually starting to be in an episode of my own I have an trauma based illness that is very encompassing mental health is a huge part of my day to day so sometimes I slip into my thinking and stuff I truly like the idea of adding a bit more emotion to my plants makes it seem a bit easier ig it’s just hard I started this what feels like month long blame game after a early passing of a pet so in my mind I’ve just been struggling with the concept of being a good caregiver for everything

      1 like
    • MamaJuju

      ❤️❤️❤️

      0 likes