Nurturing Your Soul While Growing Something Beautiful

Running a business as a mom is no joke. It’s like constantly juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. (Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but you get the point.) The mental load is relentless—the emails, the deadlines, the meetings, the plans, the decisions, the people - it's a lot and It never stops. I havnt met a mom who has started her own business, that hasn't mentioned the mental exhaustion , your mind is constantly racing, even when you're supposed to be relaxing or spending time with your kids - Your laptop may be closed, but those mental tabs are still wide open.

I’ve been looking for ways to slow down. To find a little peace in the chaos. I want to be present with my family, but also, I'm tired of it feeling like just another to-do on my list, and honestly I need to stop feeling like I’m on the verge of burnout, constantly.

Enter… My veggie garden. 🌱

Now, before you roll your eyes and close the tab , hear me out—gardening isn’t just about plants and dirt. It’s about the pause. It’s a way to unplug and get out of your own head for a bit. And as someone who’s spent years in the hustle, I’ll tell you—it’s been a game changer.

Why Gardening?

As moms, we’re used to nurturing—whether it’s our babies, our businesses, or our homes. We pour our energy into taking care of others, and while that’s beautiful, we can lose ourselves in the process. My veggie garden has given me a way to nurture something outside of myself without feeling like I’m draining my own cup.

There’s something incredibly grounding about tending to a little seed and watching it grow. It’s a simple act, but it forces me to be present. To slow down and appreciate the little things. Plus, it’s a fantastic reminder that growth takes time—and that’s a lesson I definitely need to hear, especially as a business owner.

The Science of Slowing Down: Gardening and Your Nervous System

If you , like me, enjoy a good bit of scientific fact before getting your hands dirty, then here is the thing about gardening - it's going to calm your nervous system, which as a busy mom needs to be a focus if you are going to finally be the mom you always want to be.

When we’re constantly running at full speed, our sympathetic nervous system (which controls our “fight or flight” response) is always switched on. This can lead to stress, anxiety, feeling completely drained, and those yells at the end of the day that probably could have been dealt with with more patience.

Gardening activates the parasympathetic nervous system (our “rest and digest” system), which helps to calm the body and reduce stress. This shift helps lower heart rates and blood pressure, promoting relaxation and better mental clarity. In fact, studies have shown that spending time in nature, or even interacting with plants, can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

So, when you’re out there, pulling weeds, picking spinach, or simply enjoying the scent of fresh soil, you’re giving your nervous system the chance to take a break from all the stress we moms carry. It’s a chance to reset—not just for your garden, but for your mind and body, too.

Other Benefits of Gardening for Moms

• A Break from the Mental Load: You know that constant mental chatter that never goes away? Gardening gives you the chance to shift your focus. Whether you’re pulling weeds, watering your plants, or simply watching the sun set over your garden, it's an opportunity to silence the noise for a bit.

• Teaches Patience: If you’re anything like me, you want results yesterday. Gardening teaches you that growth takes time—and that’s okay. It’s a beautiful reminder that big things don’t happen overnight, whether it’s a business or a tomato plant.

• Boosts Mood and Mental Health: Being outside in the fresh air, surrounded by greenery, and getting your hands in the dirt can release endorphins (those feel-good hormones). It’s a natural mood booster, and there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with tending to something and watching it grow. Gardening gives you a sense of accomplishment that spills over into the rest of your life.

• Enhances Creativity: There’s something about gardening that gets the creative juices flowing. Maybe it’s the vibrant colors of the flowers or the way a garden evolves over time. Gardening is a reminder that there’s beauty in every stage of growth. As a mom and a business owner, that kind of thinking is invaluable.

• Improves Physical Health: Gardening is a low-impact way to get moving. Whether you're bending, squatting, or walking around your garden, it gets you up and out of the house, providing some gentle exercise. Plus, if you’re growing your own food, it’s a win for your health, too. There’s nothing quite like plucking fresh herbs or vegetables from your own garden and tossing them in a meal.

• Teaches Resilience: Plants don’t always grow the way we want them to. Sometimes they wither. Sometimes pests get to them. But gardening teaches resilience—it’s about getting back up and trying again. That’s an important life lesson that I’m glad my kids are learning right alongside me.

  
  

My Personal Experience: A Moment of Peace (and Veggies)

Here’s the thing—gardening doesn’t just fill my tank in the traditional sense. It’s something I can do with my children, which is a huge win. You can forget about keeping nice fingernails (and trust me, I’ve stopped trying)—but there’s something about having your hands in the soil, picking fresh herbs, pruning melon plants, and nibbling on cherry tomatoes along the way that feels so good.

I throw some music on in the background, and before I know it, my kids are running around helping, asking questions, and picking veggies with me. And it’s in those moments, when the sun’s setting and I’m holding a basket full of freshly picked tomatoes, that I realize: this is a real core memory. It’s one of those moments where I feel grounded, connected to my family, and filled up with the simple joy of the process.

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