Summer is a time when the world is full of lush plants, flowers, and lots of green wherever you look. But just a few months ago, the world looked a lot less green. Perhaps you started your garden, have been tending to it for several months, and are now beginning to see the fruits of your labor. Just as we plant seeds in our garden, we can also plant seeds in regards to our grief journey. Are there things that you are doing now that will benefit you in the months to come? Or has grief felt so overwhelming lately that it’s hard to lay a good foundation for the future?
If it has felt too hard to think about your future, give yourself some grace! It is okay to take things one step at a time. However, if you are feeling up to it, having a mindset with some future orientation can be helpful. Think about any small seeds that you can plant now that will benefit you in the future. For example, perhaps you experienced a loss that also brought secondary losses of other relationships. Are there relational seeds you can plant now that may result in deeper and better bonds with the relationships that you still have, or could perhaps lead to new friendships in the future? This can help to alleviate some of the loneliness that you are likely experiencing. Or, has your grief caused you to be more sedentary? How can you start taking small steps (perhaps literally!) that will result in a better movement practice in the future? Movement has mental, physical, and emotional benefits, which is a wonderful tool for your grief journey.
Whatever seeds you choose to plant now, give yourself grace and take small actions. Remember, seeds are small…but through patience, time, and tending they can result in lovely fruit!