How gardening saved me

Greetings!

Today, I was having fun watching the most awaited Korean zombie series entitled "All of us are dead". This zombie series was written by a great writer, Chun Sung-Il. I am currently at episode three and the intense, thrilling, and amazing scripts and acting skills of actors are superb.

My cousin visited us last night and she slept her as well. She visited us because she accompanied by sister in her project for school. Gosh, I miss her so much because we aren't able to get out since we're not allowed. But she left the house early in the morning because of her work.

Introduction

We see the world beautiful because of its undying beauty. The beauty of our environment comes from varieties and different species of plants, trees, mountains, skies, rivers and everything God has made. How comforting to say that the colors of these lovely sceneries make us giggle, wonder and its very therapeutic.

During the first wave of the pandemic, total lock downs and bans are implemented all over the world. The craziest part is that many people didn't believe it at first - just like me. Since I'm not a medical student or majoring in medicine I have not idea what's this virus is.

Many lives are affected and eventually died. All area of our lives are being destroyed piece by piece. One of these areas are your mental health. I would like to open up what and how did I cope to mental stress I had during those times.

The problems

It is still vividly clear to my mind what kind of daily routine I had every day. I woke up in the morning, reaching my phone and visit my social media accounts. Just scrolling up and down until my eyes hurt. Then, I will eat my breakfast meal prepared by my mother since she has no work.

During those days, EPZA or PEZA are total lockdown as well. No employees are allowed to work and most families are just waiting for the good foods sponsored by the government. Ayuda is life. Although we are given by foods, but that's not enough because it can only feed us for only 3 days.

My parents have savings, but that is not sufficient for the whole month lockdown. Everyday, my stress was adding up. You know the feeling being useless to the family and can't help them financially. Also, I'm the eldest child in the family. I know most eldest child has high sense of responsibility in the family whether you are a man or a woman.

When coping mechanisms didn't work

My auntie has plenty of plants in her garden. She always visited it every morning to check her plants and water it as well. I saw her replanting the baby plants and transfer it to another pot. She always told me that it was fun doing gardening, and I know that. I lived in the farm for 9 years and all works in farm - I experienced it all.

As my mental stress arises, I tried to cope it on my own way. What are things I did before?

• Watching Korean drama series

• Yoga

• Reading novel books

• Playing cards

• Sleeping

• Talking to friends and families

Yet all these things work temporarily. Then my stress will rise again. Do you know how much headache you feel when you are so bothered from everything. I can't do anything. I can't go outside. I can't meet friends. I can't go to mall and parks. That's how my stress keeps rising.

When gardening works

Then one day, when I woke up in the morning. My body brought me to my aunt's garden and start watering the plants. I don't know what I am thinking that day but one thing is clear - I'm enjoying it. Weeks later when I ask my auntie if I can get some of her plants. Just the little ones. I'll try to care and grow them. That is the moment when another struggle happens. Where's my pots?

I searched for alternatives on YouTube and luckily all the the materials needed can be found at home. I made some plastic pots for my plants, and I remember I made at least 8 of them. That's how everything works together.

Eventually, my stress level was decreasing and I'm feeling it inside. My focus was turned to gardening. I was quite greedy because whenever I saw plants I didn't have in my own garden. I will ask to get one to my neighbours, aunties and my grandma's garden.

I still remember that being a plantita/plantito (gardener) was trend and hype. You can literally saw people posting and flexing their plants online. Plant sellers are also earning a lot especially in Silang, Cavite where beautiful yet cheap price. I was once ordered plants from one of the shops there and costs me around ₱1,200 ($24).

Realizations

Our lives are beautiful and the same to our environment. How we appreciate the living things makes it more beautiful. Pandemic costs us lives and everything still we're standing strong.

Also, mental health is one of the major problems we should address. I read some comments before that mental health problems are just illusions and dramas made by a person. And that's very frustrating! Continue to live your life in the fullest because it's hard to live with regrets.

Appreciation

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Blog #3
1/29/22