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Reading Your Signals

Hello Gardeners!


When writing You Are A Gardener, author #ShannaTruffini, made a real effort not to depict stress, anxiety, and sadness in this outwardly negative way, but remind gardeners that EVERY garden has weeds.



"So many books that I had read previously identify stress and anxiety as dark clouds, something heavy, a worry. Stress happens, weeds happen. It's just a natural fact."


-Shanna Truffini



What if instead of categorizing our emotions as good or bad, or wanted or unwanted, we used them as #signals that help us come up with solutions? Instead of being frustrated that you are feeling stressed or trying to ignore the feeling of stress, ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this way? What is this feeling of stress trying to tell me?"




Notice how your body feels. Can you figure out what caused this emotion to come up? A great example of this is when you feel that kind of jittery, butterflies, sick-to-your-stomach feeling before a big test, game, or performance.



That feeling is probably a signal that you are nervous! Look at it as a reminder to take a few deep breaths, a reminder of the practice and preparation you've put in, and just focus on doing your best.



Do you have any relaxing rituals before a big game, a recital or performance, or maybe a school play?