“Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow” – Francis Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
As university students, we have a lot going on in our lives. This is the time when we’re too old and too young at the same time. It’s contradictory. Too old to play in a carefree world, but too young to give in to the pressures of life and achieve financial stability.
Most of us, let’s face it, are struggling. About two out of three students have financial difficulties, and four out of five have mental health problems. Moreover, most students are forced to work part-time while attending classes, doing homework, meeting deadlines, and studying for exams. The stress of the present and anxiety about the future take a heavy toll on mental health.
Having so much to worry about makes it easier to overlook your well-being. University students, especially those who live far from home, often eat poorly, develop sleep disorders, or feel overwhelmed.
Our mind is a garden where grass, flowers or shrubs grow. Over time, different plants or flowers are planted, and there are various ways of nurturing them. It’s the same with our mind, where diverse factors affect its strength, and we must tend to them differently. For example, letting go of things we cannot control, or taking one step at a time.
It can be helpful to try different ways to tend to your garden. Often, small actions result in big impacts. In a way, we can be gardeners, watering our crops, destroying weeds, and tending the soil. In our mental version of a garden, the basic things we do are spending time with our loved ones, taking walks, taking naps, spending time on hobbies and so on. These simple activities make a huge difference to our mental health. They are not permanent remedies but contribute to keeping our mental space healthy.
Not everyone is a born gardener. We do not always have the right answer, and some situations seem impossible to overcome. However, this does not mean we should keep it unmaintained. We can always ask for help. Most gardeners, and newcomers in particular, always read books or watch videos on gardening, but one of the most effective ways is to consult a professional.
Professionals can assess the situation and provide clarity to the problem, and that’s another thing we can do when we’re having mental difficulties. Life can get overwhelming, and some days are rougher, and sometimes we get stuck under a cloud for a while and can’t get out.
It’s not easy to ask for help, and sometimes it is hard even to ask our family and friends, but we can learn to accept that we need help. Seeking professional help is better than facing things alone and getting stuck. It takes time and courage, but we heal and flourish when we tend to our garden.
Maurice Heredia
Photo: Hubert Kołucki / Pexels