Cool air creeps up the floor of our pier and beam home, sliding out of bed, bare feet slapping cold vinyl flooring. The first indication seasons are changing and a good sign of the day’s weather. Unbundling from the warmth and stepping out of bed, room temperature floors, a warm, sunny day is ahead.

Drinking two cups of coffee, feeding the dogs and chickens, and giving a bottle to this year’s orphan calf, my laptop takes a field trip to the back deck’s zero-gravity chair, clocking into my real job. Sitting 180 degrees southwest of my chicken coop and garden, I get my best work done. Glancing to my right; uncontrollable squash, cucumbers covered in flowers, budding cosmos, blooming zinnias, flourishing broccoli, and my personal favorite, runaway strawberry plants. This past week we had over 10 inches of rain in seven days, flooding many areas, but providing well-drained gardens with remarkable nourishment. The sun has been shining bright too, even touching the 90s.

It’s astounding how healthy the gardens in the area look after a little sunlight and a lot of water. Something I’ve been very mindful of this season in my own garden is giving the right room to grow, even if it means scaling down the number of plants. Something I haven’t tried but believe works is companion planting.

It provoked a thought: a little bit of the right care can make a huge difference in the health and production of plants. Sunlight, water, space, and companions + a little bit of plant food here and there are what make a thriving garden and lead to a bountiful harvest.

Furthering the thought as I lay back, closing my eyes as they head for direct sunlight during a screen break, we should mimic that for optimal growth.

Don’t settle for a vitamin D pill and a red light mask over the sun. If you’re low and those opportunities are slim, I’m not knocking a supplemental source, but I know Netflix and chill evenings seem to be the status quo for many households. There are so many benefits that stem from the sun for immune function and the production of serotonin – we’re ALL constantly chasing that these days. You might kick needing melatonin to fall asleep and coffee to wake up because exposure to sunlight naturally helps regulate your circadian rhythm.

Drinking water isn’t an area of expertise for me. I know the importance of it so I try to down as much as I can during the day. I think the benefits of water are a given, but if you need a reason to crush a cold bottle of water today; it helps your body flush toxins, boost your energy, and your skin will be glowing.

Space. This might be the most important one for some. If you’re constantly trying to be everywhere and do everything, please take a step back. Build space for yourself and only yourself. I’m not talking about physical space necessarily, though if that’s what you need, then surround yourself with that too.

Companion planting. Make sure your circle is FOR YOU. Companion planting is a favorable method in gardening because it’s a way to repel pests, suppress weeds, and improve soil. Seek friends who naturally support you and your growth.

The saying bloom where you’re planted is great but don’t forget to nourish the ground in which you were sowed too. You’ll be surprised how hardy you are when you have the right amount of good things laid at your foundation.

I also recommend FOR by Jeff Henderson, a strategy read for improvement and ideas in work and life. You can check that out here. If you work in marketing or public relations, I recommend it even more under those circumstances. It’s truly changed the game for me as a communicator, a friend, a wife, and a consumer too.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along as I share my personal thoughts and writing. It’s been a long time since I gathered my thoughts to share publically on a space like this and I want you to know I see every view, like, and comment and appreciate it tremendously. One day I hope to write a book and publish an article (or two, or three+) in Southern Living; thank you for being here for the start.