In a world that often demands constant speed and motion, I’ve stumbled on a secret pocket of stillness—standing there with a hose, watering the little back garden in our office.
It’s gardening week, and every time I step outside, I realise how lucky we are to have this outside space. It’s not just a spot for a quick sandwich break—it’s a little universe of life. And lately, sneaking in a few quiet minutes with a hose to keep the plants hydrated has become a tiny ritual I treasure more than I ever expected.
With the heat climbing higher each week, the soil gets thirsty quicker. And me? I’ve found myself oddly excited for my Monday mornings. Right after bringing in the fresh milk delivery, I sneak outside while the sun is still stretching and sleepy. I dig my finger into the pots—no fancy tools, just touch and instinct—and if the earth feels dry, that’s my que to wake the garden up with a little rain from the hose.
I unwind the hose and let the water fly, aiming for the pots, trying to avoid the leaves if I can—but honestly, I don’t stress if they get a little splash. There’s something about the smell of wet soil mixing with the warm air that just instantly grounds me. And sometimes... I even end up spraying the brick wall a bit too. I know she doesn’t need watering, but it feels like she deserves a little kindness. The smell of wet bricks, fresh soil, and plants all blending together? It’s weirdly magical.
It’s funny how a little act like watering can be therapeutic. There’s something about the whole ritual that feels good. Science says watering plants can lower stress and lift your mood—and honestly, you don’t need a study to know it’s true when you’re standing there, hose in hand, feeling how the world slows down. Some part of me gets watered too.
The bamboo planters and that little toffee tree out there—they’re greedy drinkers, but I adore them for it. They’ve taught me that some things (and maybe some people too) need a little extra tending to thrive.
We race through so many days thinking big moments will save us. But sometimes, it’s muddy hands and the weight of a hose rolling back onto its reel that reminds you—you’re already right where you need to be.
As with every year, the Spring and Summer’s fierce grip will be loosened soon, and the garden won’t beg for water the way it does now. But for these fleeting days, I’m soaking up every second of this ritual.
This week, if you stumble across something green and growing—don’t just walk past. Give it a little drink. Splash a little magic into the dirt. Breathe deep. You might find that somewhere along the way, you needed the watering as much as the plants did.
