Beat the Winter Blues and Blahs

We all have those days. Some of us even have those weeks or months! Cold temperatures, cloudy skies, and reduced sunlight can leave us feeling blue, blah, or just completely down in the dumps. According to researchers, about 5% of adults experience some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder each year, and in northern states, that number can climb up to 10%. Depression, anxiety, and irritability are on the menu for those who suffer from SAD, but even those without a diagnosis can feel under-the-weather and extra gloomy during the winter months. What is one of the best ways to beat those blues? The answer is miniature gardening, of course!

Focusing on fresh, sunshine-y, garden-filled days can help you get through the cold, wet, cloudy winter weeks. Whether you are a beginner in the fairy garden world or have been gardening for years, jumping into a new gardening project is sure to lift your mood. Sometimes alleviating a little pressure and finding one tiny space for joy can be enough to get through the roughest, coldest seasons of life.

Get GardeningIf you have never tried planting a miniature garden or are just dipping your toes into the hobby, have no fear! You can get started right now, even if it is the middle of deep midwinter. One of the quickest, easiest ways to get into a springtime mindset is to make your own miniature indoor container garden. You might already have most of the materials you need around your home or garage. You can start with a simple glass bowl, terrarium, or even a small indoor planter that hangs on the wall. It does not take much to make your first miniature garden or fairy garden. Consider recyclable materials too, like empty plastic tubs with holes poked through the bottom using scissors or a craft knife.

After you have found a container, ideally one with some small holes for drainage purposes, it is time to choose a basic landscaping material. Soil, sand, or pebbles could work, depending on the miniature plants you select. Add a small succulent, air plant, or even a faux plant. There are tons of low-maintenance choices available online, especially if you utilize Plant Guides that can tell you exactly what type of care is needed. Once you have a plant, think about adding just one miniature accessory. It could be a garden fairy figurine, animal, bench, or even a tiny vial of fairy dust. Put all of these elements together, and you will have constructed your first fairy garden!

To dive deeper into the fairy gardening spirit, try reading blog posts, Pinterest boards, and articles about fairy gardening. Researching the topic will bring inspiration and ideas for the warmer months, when you can move your container gardens outdoors and think about expanding into your yard or, for apartment dwellers, to your patio or balcony. Remember, those with a passion for the miniature gardening hobby are a friendly bunch, and are almost always willing to offer advice and share their own experiences. While it is not difficult to jump into miniature gardening, you may find that you love it so much it is hard to leave! One of the biggest joys of cultivating miniature gardens and fairy gardens is that it gives you a positive outlet for creativity. You can make up stories about the fairies and other miniature accessories, mine your imagination for characters and new landscapes, and even replicate warm memories from your past. When you decide to invest in this new hobby during the winter, fairy gardening can help you turn from a gloomy mindset to one focused on growth, rebirth, creation, and promise. So, what are you waiting for? Get gardening!

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