How I Found Peace in the Garden and You Can Too

For most of my life, I made every excuse to stay indoors. Seasonal allergies, work, stress, and the general busyness of life kept me from the very thing I now cherish most, being outside.

Unless it was a planned family hike or a scheduled outing, I rarely set foot outdoors. My daily routine included little more than the one, minute walk from my car to my office and back. The rest of my time was spent behind walls, under artificial light, breathing filtered air. Yard work? I did the bare minimum, and always as quickly as possible.

It’s funny to think back on that now. My parents and grandparents were devoted gardeners. They’d wake up and head straight into the garden. They even rented community plots to grow vegetables because their backyard wasn’t enough. I never understood it. I had a five-acre yard and barely touched it. I couldn’t understand how “just 10 minutes” could turn into hours, or why they always came back inside with a smile, dirt under their nails, and a basket of vegetables in hand.

Now, I do.

About five years ago, at the peak of one of the most stressful times in my life, I found myself outside working on the flowerbeds during the early days of the pandemic. I was still working full-time and helping renovate our home in the evenings and on weekends. Life felt chaotic and heavy. But something happened during those hours in the yard: I felt peace. I forgot about work deadlines, household messes, and the relentless to-do list. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the beginning of something new. That was the beginning of my healing.

There’s something powerful about putting your hands in the dirt. Something calming about the rhythm of weeding, planting, watering. Surrounded by blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and the warmth of the sun, I felt something shift in me. I felt connected. I felt present.

Since then, my love for the outdoors has only grown. When I downsized three years ago and retired, I spent my first seasons in my new home creating new flowerbeds and planting my very first vegetable garden. Now, I spend at least one hour outside every day. Most mornings, I start with coffee in hand, walking through my garden, taking in the scent of blooms, the sound of birds, and the life buzzing all around me. It’s become a sacred ritual. A kind of therapy. A reminder that beauty and peace still exist, even when the world feels heavy.

And I’ve found that this time outside has grounded me. Inspired me. Healed parts of me I didn’t even know were hurting.

How to Welcome More Nature Into Your Life

If you’ve ever felt the pull to spend more time outside, I encourage you to listen to it. You don’t need five acres or a green thumb to begin. You just need a little curiosity, and a bit of time. Here are a few simple ways to invite more nature into your everyday life:

• Start with a walk. A walk around your block or local park is enough. Let your senses guide you: What do you see, smell, hear?

• Create a ritual. Maybe it’s morning coffee on the porch or tea in the evening by an open window. Let nature frame the start or end of your day.

• Bring nature to you. Try a potted herb, a flower box, or even a few houseplants. Let them remind you to slow down and care.

• Plan intentional outdoor time. Visit a botanical garden, explore a new trail, or have lunch outside on the weekend.

• Start small with gardening. Even a small container garden can be incredibly rewarding. Try herbs, tomatoes, or a few wildflowers.

• Leave your phone inside. Give yourself the gift of being unplugged and fully present.