The secret to neurodivergent & chronically ill gardening.
Last week I made something for the first time in MONTHS.
The very next day I had a HUGE epiphany about the novel I’ve been working on for the last 4-5 years.
That’s no coincidence.
Even though I literally wrote the book on creative ecosystems I struggle to keep mine in balance. To be honest, I wrote the book because I needed it.
This was a huge reminder that making art with my hands has a powerful effect on my mood, my mental health, my nervous system regulation, and my ability to effectively ideate.
Why is this last on my to do list again?
Just a few minutes of moving around paper, splattering paint, forming clay, cutting fabric… is self regulating in a way that digital creation can’t hold a candle to.
I’m making some big shifts to rebalance my creative ecosystem for next year.
Meanwhile I need to make time for making things as often as I can.
This week it looked like crayons on index cards as I played around with some ideas I want to weave into my novel. (I know this looks like a big pile of art vocabulary, but there is a reason for that.) 😉
In the Garden 🌱
Another powerful tonic is getting outside.
Did you know that sunflowers were the symbol of hidden disability?
I’ve been considering one of these lanyards for air travel, but I’m not sure how well known they are across the US.
For the people who keep complimenting my garden.
Please know that it is mostly wild and overgrown. (The front yard is even worse I assure you.)
I’m all about imperfect gardening and not letting a lack of perfection prevent me from trying. We tend to embrace plants that can thrive on neglect because my chronic illness and sun allergy means I can’t show up to garden consistently.
To be fair, I’m also inclined to forget the garden exists if I’m hyperfocusing on something else.
I watched a lot of Gardener’s World when Davy was a toddler and took special note of anything “drought tolerant.”
Plants that work well for us (in Northwest Arkansas) have been: Russian Sage, Peonies (surprisingly enough!), Gaura, Sage, Mint, Lavender, Daffodils, Allium, Hellebore, and Oxeye Daisies. These come back every year.
We also have self seeding: Bachelor Buttons, Love-in-a-Mist, Black Eyed Susan, Whorled Milkweed, and Purpletop Vervain. Mixed results from Forget Me Nots. Maybe I need a different variety.
This was our first year planting Tithonia (inspired by Harriet McDougal’s garden) and Sunflowers and they are both thriving!
Herbs and Zinnias also do quite well, but typically don’t reseed for us.
This year we’re also experimenting with Purple Hyacinth Beans on this climbing frame. We started them in ziploc bags on a window (’cause science) and dumped a bag of garden soil right over the grass to plant them around. Next year I’ll plant more of them.
We spotted hummingbirds this week!
They were loving the beans above, the Tithonia, and Purpletop Vervain.
I’m completely enchanted. It’s like being visited by fairies. 💫
Digital Foraging 🍁
Some bits and bobs I’ve collected for you this week.
First, did you know the Olympics used to award medals for art? 🤯
Next up, Anne of Green Gables social media celebrating the Olympics. (Tap through to see which sport they think Anne would play.)
https://instagram.com/p/C-BNlB9S9xQ/
If you liked that you’ll love this:
The Canadian mint is releasing a coin to celebrate L. M. Montgomery. This will be a circulation coin so I have to figure out how to get my hands on one! Canadian friends, keep your eyes peeled! I will happily pay for postage.
Before Davy was born I read all of LMM’s published works in chronological order. Her books are part of what inspired me to try gardening. I made lists while reading and specifically bought plants she mentioned (like Love-in-a-Mist).
Prince Edward Island is next up on my creative pilgrimage list.
While we’re talking about books how great is this tweet from ?
It reminds me of this post I made during NaNoWriMo last year.
This time last year…
I was dancing with burn out and making micro shifts.
The more things change, eh? 😂
The Compost Heap is free to all. Thanks for exchanging your time and energy. If you’re feeling particularly generous here are other ways you can lend your support.
Leave a comment (it’s free!)
Restack or recommend on Substack.
Buy my book.
Pledge $3+ on Patreon (or upgrade to paid) for a letter from me each month.
The Internet is like a tin can telephone. It’s magic when someone talks back. I’d love to hear from you.
Are you watching the Olympics? What else is in your creative compost this week?
I appreciate you.
From the Compost Heap illustrations by of .
Leave a Reply to Paige Meredith Ray Cancel reply