Focusing on one thing may just be enough for today. So set your watch or phone for 15 minutes and choose one thing to get you outside.
If you wish, this can be done with your eyes closed. Sit quietly in the garden for 15 minutes and focus solely on the sounds around you. Close your eyes to heighten your sense of hearing. Listen for birds calling, the rustle of leaves, or the subtle sounds of water melting from frost-covered branches. Tuning into these natural sounds can be a powerful way to slow down, calm your mind, and feel more connected to the ecosystem around you.
Take 15 minutes to simply sit and watch the garden in action. Notice how the wind moves through the grasses, how trees sway, or how birds land and locate food sources. The gentle movements of the garden can be incredibly calming and can help you slow down and appreciate the natural rhythms of your outdoor space.
Pick a spot in your garden on a beautifully clear winter’s day and spend a quarter of an hour focusing on your breath while observing a single plant, watching how light and shadow play on its surface. Whether you observe the gentle sway of ornamental grasses or the stillness of a shrub, use it as a focal point for your breathing. Inhale deeply, taking in the scents, sights, and sounds around you, and exhale slowly. This quiet meditation with a plant helps to slow your mind and deepen your connection to the garden, grounding you in the present moment.
Before the colder months set in, take time to clean, oil, and store your garden tools. Grab a wire brush, some soapy water, and a cloth. Clean off soil and plant residue, sharpen pruners or shears if necessary, and give wooden handles a rub-down with linseed oil. Properly cared-for tools will make spring gardening easier, extend the life of your equipment, and give you a sense of achievement and preparedness.
If you did not get round to mulching in autumn, you still have time, as long as the ground is frost free. Give your garden a little winter protection by mulching borders with compost, leafmould, or bark chippings. Set a timer for 15 minutes and spread mulch around the base of more cold-sensitive plants to help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and insulate roots against the coming sub-zero temperatures. This quick task provides an immediate sense of accomplishment for you, and long-term benefits for your plants.
Focus on #onegardenthing in which to lose yourself for 15 minutes - it will do you the world of good!