The Perennial Sam

Being outdoors is something I have long to believed to be a powerful stress reliever.  Having a relaxing activity to do while outside makes the experience even better.   One thing I have missed the past few years while living in apartment buildings (some without balconies) has been gardening.  

My fiance’s parents have a yard that has been nicely landscaped with a garden around the perimeter of the property.  It is the type of garden with mulch and a smattering of tasteful shrubs and annuals.  For the most part you just need to pull the odd weed to keep everything going, but it’s still nice to putt around doing that.  I read today that all the bending, lifting and digging gardeners do helps to prevent osteoporosis.  The activity can be as light or strenuous as you’d like it to be.  Being out in the sunshine is of course good too. 

Today I went with my mother-in-law and her mom to a local gardening centre to get plants for several large pots to put in the yard.  I met a salesgirl about my age who, after talking about flowers for a bit, also mentioned that she was interested in studying fine arts.  So we talked about our respective artistic paths for a few minutes.  It was nice to talk to someone near my age with similar interests.  Between conversing with her, choosing the plants and later getting them arranged in the planters, I think it was the best day I’ve had in a while.  I’m rethinking how I feel about staying with my fiance’s family instead of going home.  The environment is more positive and relaxed here than I know it would be at home.

I know getting outside is hard for some of us who don’t even want to get out of bed somedays.  If you can push yourself to do it though, getting out of the house to dig around in the dirt is surprisingly enjoyable.