I attended an event recently, and a group of people asked me something that really made me pause…
They said—
‘Why are you so into gardening at this stage of your life?’
‘Isn’t it messy… tiring… too much on your body?’
And I realized… a lot of people don’t understand what gardening really gives you.
So let me share what it’s given me.
1: “ISN’T IT TOO MESSY?”
Let’s start there… yes—gardening is messy. But it’s the kind of mess that connects you back to something real.
We spend so much time in clean, controlled spaces… and gardening reminds you that life grows from the soil.
2: “ISN’T IT TOO HARD ON YOUR BODY?”
Now is it physical? Yes… it can be. But here’s the difference—you move at your own pace.
- You can sit
- Use raised beds
- Work in short periods
And in many ways, it keeps you moving… and that matters more as we age.
3: “WHAT DO YOU EVEN GET OUT OF IT?”
Let me tell you what I get out of it…
Benefits:
- Peace of mind
- Stress relief
- Time away from noise and distractions
- A sense of purpose
- Something to nurture
- Something that grows because you showed up
That does something to you.
4: “PLANTS GROW ANYWHERE—WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?”
Yes… plants grow anywhere. But tending your own garden?
That’s intentional.
- You choose what grows
- You care for it
- You watch it change
And in a way… it reminds you that growth still happens in your own life too.
5: “WHY ARE YOU SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT?”
Because it gives back. It’s not just planting something…
It’s harvesting it… using it… sharing it… whether that’s herbs, flowers, or food.
And when you grow something you can actually use—there’s a different kind of satisfaction in that.
6: “WHAT ABOUT YOUR BACK, YOUR LEGS?”
You learn how to work with your body…
- Raised beds
- Containers
- Taking breaks
- Listening to your limits
It’s not about pushing yourself… it’s about staying connected.
7: “IS IT REALLY THAT BENEFICIAL?”
Yes… it is. Gardening can support:
- your mental well-being
- your physical movement
- your sense of routine
- your connection to nature
- even how you eat and care for yourself”
And at this stage of life… those things matter.
8: MY PERSONAL TRUTH
For me… gardening is more than a hobby.
It’s peace…
it’s creativity…
it’s healing…
and it’s something I can continue to grow with.
Conclusion
So if you’ve ever wondered whether gardening is ‘worth it’…
maybe the better question is—
what could it add to your life?
And if you already garden… you already know.
Watch the accompanying YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/QwCGsOmDwgY
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