Name It to Tame It: Identifying Weeds Makes Room for Emotional Growth
- The Gardening Team
- 17 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Every garden grows a mix of flowers and weeds. While our flowers represent the joy, gratitude, and moments that make us shine, our weeds are the big feelings, negative thoughts and challenges that can take up space and make it harder for our flowers to grow. But here’s the good news gardeners: when we name our weeds, we begin to tame them. Today we’re sharing a 'Name It to Tame It' activity with a free printable—designed to help gardeners of all ages recognize and name their emotional weeds, so they can pull them gently and make space for seeds of growth and resilience.
Just like gently pulling a weed from the soil, identifying our emotions gives us the power to clear space, plant new seeds, and grow with purpose. 🌼
👇 Scroll down to download our free Name It to Tame It activity sheet—a gentle tool to use at home, in classrooms, or during counseling sessions. Then, scroll all the way down to collect your Gardening Tool Badge and keep your garden of growth blooming strong.
Let’s explore what some of the emotions these weeds might look like in our gardens:
🌪 Anger
This weed can feel like a sudden storm—loud, fast, and overwhelming. It might show up as yelling, slamming doors, or wanting to be left alone. Underneath? Often hurt, frustration, or feeling misunderstood.
🌧 Sadness
A droopy weed that wilts our petals and dims our light. It can feel like a heavy heart, tears that come easily, or not wanting to do the things we usually enjoy. This weed reminds us we care deeply—and that’s a strength.
🌵 Loneliness
This prickly weed can make us feel isolated, even in a crowd. It might whisper, “No one gets me,” or “I don’t belong.” But remember: even when we feel alone, we’re still deeply connected—we just need to reach out and be seen.
🌫 Jealousy
A sneaky vine that wraps around our confidence. It might sound like, “Why don’t I have that?” or “They’re better than me.” This weed is a sign we’re craving something—attention, appreciation, or a chance to shine.
🌾 How to Pull These Weeds: The “Name It to Tame It” Exercise
Here’s a simple gardening tool to practice with kids, classrooms, or at home:
Pause and take a few deep breaths.
Notice what you’re feeling—without judgment.
Name the weed out loud or write it down.“I’m feeling angry.” “I’m feeling left out.” “I’m feeling sad.”
Ask, “What is this weed trying to tell me, what can I learn?”
Choose a gardening tool to help you feel calm, confident, and creative again. That might be a walk, talking to someone, coloring, writing, or practicing gratitude.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NAME IT TO TAME IT ACTIVITY SHEET >
When we see our weeds clearly, they lose their power. We remember that feelings aren’t permanent—they’re simply signs that something needs tending.
Let’s encourage each other to name our weeds, pull them gently, and keep our gardens blooming. 🌼🌱✨
“The first step to pulling a weed is knowing it’s there.”
“When we name our feelings, we take back the power to grow through them.”
“Every weed we name makes more room for a new seed.."
🎉 You just practiced a powerful gardening tool—self-awareness! Collect your Gardening Tool Badge and keep your garden growing strong!
🛠️ Gardening Tool Badge Alert!
This activity helps gardeners of all ages strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation. After practicing “Name It to Tame It,” collect your Gardening Tool Badge and add it to your collector’s sheet.
Why is this a Gardening Tool? Because identifying emotions is one of the most powerful tools we have to stay rooted in confidence, creativity, and calm.
🌾 Let’s Keep Tending Together
When we take time to name our weeds, we give ourselves the space to breathe, reflect, and grow. Whether it's a moment of anger, sadness, or self-doubt—naming it helps us pull it gently and make room for something new. Keep this gardening tool close, and remember: every weed we name is a chance to plant a seed of strength, calm, and confidence. Let’s keep tending to our gardens—one feeling at a time.