What's your first aid kit?

We're pretty much done with the first quarter of the year!
How has it been for you so far?
Eventful?  Work in progress?  Mundane?

I just want to remind you that we have a long way to go, so take your breaks, breathe easy, and carry on one step at a time.

I have been going to multiple talk therapy sessions at a mental health clinic.
I decided to invest in such sessions to understand myself better and learn a few techniques to keep my mental health in check.  This also helps me to be more perceptive of other people around me from a psychological perspective.

In one of the recent sessions, we talked about uncertainties and how I would naturally react in uncomfortable situations.
You see, more often than not, I prefer to plan and schedule things for the purpose of remembering the events and optimising the opportunities.  In the past, I had a few impromptu moments, but they do not happen frequently.  When we explored this tendency of mine, as I talk more about it, I referred to my planning behaviour as having my own first aid kit that keeps me feeling secure and ready.  (I literally have a first aid kit at home and a smaller version in my car.  Even my handbag contains a few plasters, patches, and medicines just in case.)  Because of this, it has made me more tensed than I need to be in some situations and unable to let loose even when I want to.

This is something I'm still trying to work on, but acknowledging it is the first step.

By being mindful of my natural tendencies, I can become more aware of my actions and reactions, then make better decisions based on facts and probabilities instead of just a hunch.

It has been interesting to discover more about myself.

Will I keep my first aid kit wherever I go?
Or am I okay with taking more chances and take a leap of faith?

And what about you?
What's YOUR first aid kit?

Have a Blessed Lent, Brothers and Sisters!

Lent begins!

For my brothers and sisters in faith, the 40-day season of Lent starts with Ash Wednesday leading up to Good Friday, then Holy Saturday, and finally Easter Sunday.

During this solemn period, we remember and think about the events that occurred up to our Redeemer's resurrection for our sake.  It is a period of reflection, repentance, and discipline.  Fasting from solid food and abstinence of worldly things are practised throughout this period.  It is encouraged that we personalise the experience by adding activities that are relatable to us at an individual level.  

The goal is to live humbly while relearning our spiritual relationship with the Almighty.

Have a blessed and fulfilling Lent!

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Plant Mom

Late last year, I came across a booth at a Christmas market that sold mini plants and succulents.  My friend was the one who initially wanted to stop by this booth, but once we were there, I was hooked!

I saw little pots and vases of plants in different shapes and colours, and some of them came with cute animal decorations.  They were just my aesthetics!  I double checked my budget tracker and figured that I could spend just a little bit more on that day.

So, I bought my first plant - Fittonia in a clear glass pot!  It came with a little dog decoration.  I was also given a free succulent (Pink Lady) from an ongoing promotion.

I went home happily as a new plant mom.  :’)

I have been endearingly taking care of my plants as if they were my babies.  As time went by, I gradually added my plants collection.  My plants and soil come from a fabulous shop called Little Eden Succulents (LES), who just opened another branch named The Nest by LES.  They also provide consultation, workshops, and plant boarding services.

Apart from that, I recently came across a handcrafted pot for little plants at Unique Maker Studio and got one for my desk plant.

So, what are the benefits of manning these plants? 🪴 

▪️ Gardening (including ‘mini’ gardening in this case) is one of the ways to destress and unwind.  It’s not one of the easiest hobbies since it requires consistent caretaking and maintaining, but there is always an option to start with low maintenance plants.

▪️ Plants add beauty to the area surrounding them especially when they come in different colours, shapes, and patterns.  This helps to improve mood.

▪️ There is also an environmental impact to keeping plants around.  They help to detoxify and cleanse the air near them.

▪️ Some plants have spiritual meanings to them.  They represent good fortune, love, wealth, positive energy, and so on.  Keeping them is a form of manifesting and attracting those good things into our lives.

Any other plant parents in the house? 👋