Inhale fresh, pristine air. Exhale knotted shoulders, tensed forehead.
Inhale warm, limitless air. Exhale worry, expectations.
There is a plethora of studies that expose the benefits of being outside; it improves our respiratory function, improves our attention span and sleep cycle, and betters our social bonds. Heck, there are even studies suggesting looking at pictures of nature can trigger some of these assets!
This is exactly why so many of us build gardens and patios, safe havens for us reap the rewards of being outside whilst surrounding ourselves with beauty and awe.
Gardens and outdoor spaces in general should be an extension of your personal aura, a reflection of your priorities and personality. Anyone can throw down a fresh deck and call it a hang out, but the way to get optimal use of it is by putting in the upfront work of analyzing the shape, size, and texture that make sense for you. Start by asking yourself some simple questions like, do I need a lot of space to move around? Do I like openness or prefer a cozy atmosphere? Am I a ‘bigger picture’ person, or do I enjoy subtle detail more?
Once your distinctive requirements are noted, you can move into more practical elements like, sun exposure, temperature, seasonal accessibility, level of maintenance, overall size and dimension, etc. etc. At this point you should have a solid base from which to launch… and when I say launch, I mean it! Go get the contractors, pea stone, plants, and whatever else is in your vision as fast as you can and literally get to digging!
I emphasize the timeliness because once you break ground, new ideas and intentions will swarm to you, welcome this! Creating a truly authentic nook takes time and flexibility, and starting the process with your initial motivational momentum will institute the overarching goals that you generated during the planning phase.
As the bones settle into place and the pace of the project slows, I suggest immersing into your new area often, thus learning what details will translate to an even more representative oasis.
One of the best aspects of having a garden is that, although it might live because of you, it doesn’t necessarily life for you. That is, once established, your flowers and trees shouldn’t need much help to look fabulous and bring you joy.
This allows you to use the area however you originally intended, whether it is to unwind, host parties, be productive, or whatever you had envisioned from the get-go.
Another noteworthy aspect of your garden is that you no longer have to find a park or trailhead to enjoy the vast benefits of nature. All you have to do is open your door and move into it.
Glamping Queen 