As a devoted plant mom who has filled my home with countless succulents, air plants, pothos vines, and more over the years, I’ve decided it’s time to hit the pause button on my plant obsession for the 40 days of Lent. Here’s why I’m taking a step back from my beloved leafy friends this Lenten season and how I plan to use the time for self-reflection and spiritual growth instead.
My Plant Collection Had Spiraled Out of Control
Let’s be honest – my plant love had gone overboard. Every sunny ledge and tabletop was crammed full of potted greenery. My plant budget was getting outrageous. And I was spending more time caring for my leafy babies than stepping back to appreciate them.
During Lent, I want to:
- Take stock of how much my plant purchases have added up.
- Refocus that plant spending on more meaningful causes.
- Only keep the plants I truly cherish, instead of indiscriminate collecting.
- Spend less time fretting over care and more time appreciating my paired-down collection.
My Plant Obsession Had Become a Distraction
I’d developed an unhealthy attachment to my plant collection and plant shopping had become a mindless hobby. Browsing plant hashtags on Instagram or poring over my go-to online plant shops had become a regular procrastination tactic.
This Lent, I plan to:
- Limit mindless plant browsing to 15 minutes a day.
- Remove shopping apps from my phone to avoid impulse purchases.
- Focus that free time on personal development like reading, exercising, or spending quality time with loved ones.
- Only buy new plants if I have a designated spot for them, not just for the thrill of getting something new.
Caring for My Plants Felt Like a Burden
With so many plants to care for, watering and maintenance started to feel like a chore versus a relaxing ritual. I was constantly moving plants in and out to find the perfect light levels and obsessing over fertilizing and soil mixtures. It stopped being fun.
So for Lent, I will:
- Let go of some plants I struggle to keep alive so I can focus on the ones I truly love.
- Stick to a consistent watering schedule instead of obsessing over soil moisture.
- Use basic fertilizing and soil instead of getting bogged down in details.
- Focus on the joy my favorite plants bring me instead of viewing their care as burdensome.
My Plant Love Had Led to Excessive Waste
Between discarded plants that didn’t make it and plastic nursery pots tossed after re-potting, my plant obsession generated a lot of waste. And I knew buying trendy new varieties fed into unsustainable practices.
This Lenten season, I pledge to:
- Repurpose as many nursery pots as possible instead of pitching them.
- Compost deceased plants instead of sending them to the landfill.
- Stick to native species instead of new cultivars.
- Propagate existing plants instead of buying new ones.
- Research ethical sources if I do buy new plants.
I Want to Cultivate New Interests
While I’ll always love plants, my intense focus on them had crowded out time for exploring new hobbies. I want to take a step back and see what other passions may be lingering underneath.
So I will use this Lent to:
- Try new creative pursuits like painting, writing, or playing an instrument.
- Read all the books that have been gathering dust on my shelves.
- Reconnect with friends I’ve neglected.
- Travel to a new place.
- Generally be open to new experiences outside my plant bubble.
It Was Time for a Reset
After years of unchecked plant collecting, I simply needed a reset button. The start of Lent feels like the perfect opportunity to clear the slate and rethink my relationship with plants. By putting my plant obsession on hold for 40 days, I’ll gain clarity on reasonable ways to incorporate this hobby into my life.
During my plant cleanse, I’ll:
- Assess which plants truly spark joy and let go of the rest.
- Create a sustainable watering and care routine that doesn’t take over my life.
- Find balance in how much time I spend browsing plant content online.
- Make mindful choices if adding new plants instead of impulse purchases.
- Reset my plant spending to reasonable levels.
- Determine ways to reduce the waste my hobby generates.
- Re-evaluate my space and how to best design my new, curated collection.
How I Plan to Hit Pause on My Plant Obsession for Lent
Taking a 40 day break from my plant fixation won’t happen automatically. To make this reset period successful, I’ll need to take deliberate steps to create new habits and routines. Here are some of the strategies I plan to employ:
Limiting Plant Purchases
- I will not buy any new plants during Lent unless I’ve made the space by giving away existing plants I don’t absolutely love. Any new purchases will be mindful choices.
- I’ll stay off Instagram and unsubscribe from marketing emails from my favorite shops to avoid temptation.
- I won’t browse plant hashtags or online stores mindlessly. Plant shopping will be an intentional act, not a hobby.
- To curb impulse spending, I’ll wait several days before purchasing anything new to make sure I really want it.
Reducing Time Spent on Plant Care
- I’ll cut back my watering to 1-2 times per week and skip obsessing over soil moisture in between.
- Fertilizing, pruning, and other care will happen on a set schedule, not constantly.
- I’ll skip rearranging plants to find “perfect” light levels and accept their current locations.
- Any struggling plants will be given away, not fretted over. My time is better spent enjoying thriving plants.
Finding New Hobbies and Interests
- I’ll make a list of creative pursuits or life experiences I’d like to try and schedule time to start exploring them.
- When I catch myself browsing plant content out of habit, I’ll redirect my focus to a new interest.
- I’ll also reconnect with neglected friends and make time for personal growth through reading or exercise.
- At the end of each day, I’ll reflect on how I spent my time that would previously go to plants.
Rethinking My Plant Spaces
- I’ll thoroughly clean each plant area and clear out excess accessories and cache pots.
- Every remaining plant must bring me joy to earn its spot – I’ll be merciless in giving away plants that no longer spark that feeling.
- I’ll sketch new layouts focused on my favorites instead of cramming in as many as possible.
- Any empty spots will remain plant-free until the 40 days are up for a total reset.
- For plants I keep, I’ll repair, prune, and wipe down their containers to give them a refresh.
Staying Connected to Nature Beyond Plants
- I’ll spend time outdoors each day even without gardening – walking, hiking, lying in the grass.
- I’ll learn to identify local flora on walks to connect with native plants.
- Spending time cooking, enjoying outdoorsy hobbies, or meditating outside will help fill the nature void.
- Caring for my spiritual growth will take priority over obsessing over material objects like plants.
Potential Challenges and How I’ll Overcome Them
Completely shifting focus from a longtime hobby I’m deeply attached to will certainly present challenges. Here are some potential obstacles and how I plan to tackle them:
Feeling boredom or lack of purpose without my plant care routine: To fight boredom, I’ll engage in new hobbies and interests or spend more time with people important to me. Reframing plant care as an optional activity, not a mandatory daily ritual, will also help me see I don’t need it to feel fulfilled.
Strong temptation to purchase new plants: Unsubscribing from marketing emails and avoiding plant social media will remove temptation from sight. Creating a new routine for times I’d normally shop helps redirect the urge. Waiting several days before giving in to a purchase can help break the impulse.
Struggling to let go of underperforming plants: Viewing struggling plants objectively as just material items, not living things I’m responsible for, makes it easier to part with them. I can also use times when plant care feels burdensome as motivation for giving them away to a new home.
Feeling aimless without a plant focus: Exploring new creative outlets and life experiences gives me productive ways to spend time previously devoted to plants. Reflecting each day on how I used my free time helps see I don’t need plants to feel purpose.
Worrying my favored plants will decline without obsession: With a streamlined watering schedule and consistent fertilizing routine, my favorite plants will likely do just fine with less obsessive care. I can ask a plant-loving friend to check on them if I’m concerned.
Feeling pressure to buy, rearrange, or care for plants out of habit: Repeating my commitment to press pause and redirect that energy elsewhere helps reinforce new habits. Focusing on spiritual growth and self-care instead provides healthier outlets.
The Spiritual Benefits I Hope to Gain
My desire to take a step back from plants for Lent is about far more than just de-cluttering my home. By pressing pause on this longtime hobby, I’m striving for spiritual growth and self-improvement:
- Greater mindfulness: Spending less time fretting over plants helps me practice being present. I can live in and appreciate the current moment instead of what needs doing.
- Strengthened self-discipline: Choosing not to indulge my plant obsession demonstrates willpower and commitment to personal growth that builds spiritual muscle.
- Renewed sense of purpose: Exploring new creative outlets and nurturing neglected relationships/interests helps me continue pursuing a life of meaning and joy beyond just plants.
- Improved environmental stewardship: Rethinking my plant care practices to generate less waste makes me a better global citizen and environmental caretaker.
- Stronger connection to nature: Appreciating plants, animals, and time spent outdoors more mindfully strengthens my spiritual bond with our natural world.
- Time for self-reflection: Stepping back from distractions creates space for contemplation and taking stock of my priorities and values.
- Increased gratitude: Spending less time wanting (new plants) and more time appreciating what I have cultivates gratitude, which strongly correlates to happiness.
By pressing pause on my plant obsession this Lent, I’m striving to nurture my spiritual health and become my best self. While plants will always be part of my life, I’m ready to love them in a healthier, more balanced way. This season of introspection, renewal, and self-discipline is just the catalyst I need to transform my relationship with plants going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pausing My Plant Obsession for Lent
Here are answers to some common questions about why I’m using Lent to hit the reset button on my plant collecting:
Why are you giving up plants for Lent instead of something like chocolate?
Unlike giving up a guilty pleasure food, pausing my plant obsession addresses deeper issues in my life around waste, balance, and misplaced priorities. It provides an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Aren’t plants living things? Is it ethical to just give them away?
While I feel a strong connection to my plants, they are ultimately material objects that will be perfectly content with new owners. I need to prioritize my own mental health.
What about your favorite rare plants? Are you really willing to part with them?
If a plant no longer brings me joy or serves a purpose in my renewed collection, I’m willing to find it a new home even if it’s rare. My priorities have shifted.
You’ve spent so much time curating your plant family. Why undo all that effort?
Curating my collection has turned into an obsessive pursuit that’s no longer positive. It’s time to reset, find balance, and approach this hobby from a healthier mindset.
How will you avoid impulsively buying new plants during your 40 days?
Unsubscribing from promotions, limiting social media, and waiting several days before any purchases will help avoid impulse buys. This will be a full reset.
But plants make you happy! Why deny yourself that joy?
While plants bring me joy, obsessing over them stopped being fulfilling. I need a reset to approach plant care from a balanced, intentional mindset again.
What if you realize mid-Lent you don’t want to give up plants after all?
This experience is about challenging myself for spiritual growth. Even if I struggle, I’m committed to seeing the 40 days through and reevaluating my relationship with plants after.
What will you do with all your new free time not spent on plants?
I’m most excited to try new creative pursuits like painting and writing, read more books, reconnect with friends, travel somewhere new, and generally be open to new life experiences.
How will you avoid just replacing your plant obsession with other shopping?
I’ll use the same strategies – avoiding marketing/social media from shops, waiting several days before purchases, focusing spending on experiences not physical things.
Conclusion:
After years of letting my plant obsession spiral out of control, I’m committing to pressing pause for the 40 days of Lent. During this period, I will find homes for the countless plants that no longer bring joy or serve a purpose so I can curate a more intentional, manageable collection. Removing excessive plants will provide physical and mental space to pursue new creative interests, nurture neglected relationships, and practice self-care and spiritual reflection. While not having plant care as my daily focus will certainly be challenging at times, committing fully to this reset will transform my relationship with plants going forward. Once Lent is over, I look forward to loving and caring for my plants from a healthier mindset focused on genuine fulfillment over mindless acquisition. This season of introspection and self-discipline will help me become a more balanced, grateful, mindful, and purpose-driven version of myself.