gardening

This Life I’m Painting, One Petal and Paw at a Time

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Two cats, one orange and one black, snuggle together on a colorful blanket on a bed.

Sometimes I feel like the world wants me to be doing something bigger, faster, louder.
But lately, I just want to water my flowers.
I want to paint something without knowing what it’s going to be.
I want to sit with my cats and do nothing at all—and call it enough.

If you’ve ever felt that too, even for a moment, then you’ll probably get this.

Right now, my life is a strange mix of soft and chaotic—quiet mornings, paint-streaked hands, cats trying to sit directly on my laptop. And somehow, it’s working for me.

My cats? They’re family.
Frodo has decided he’s an outdoor cat this summer, trailing me while I water the garden like a little shadow. Rizzo and Raven act like the porch is their kingdom, and Sam gives outdoor life one cautious sniff before running back inside. They each have their own vibe, and all of them rotate who gets to curl up next to me when I’m reading, painting, or just trying to be still.

A cozy scene of three cats resting on a striped bedspread, with a television showing an animated program in the background. The room features a bookshelf filled with books and decorative items.

The plants? A love story.
They used to all live inside, but once summer hit, I moved them to the porch—and they’re thriving. There’s something about watching new growth that gives me hope, even on days I don’t feel like I’m growing at all. My herbs (lavender, dill, chamomile, sage, parsley) have been the most fun—I even started making lavender lemon water, and wow… it’s become a tiny ritual of peace.

A potted plant sits on a wooden porch railing, with lush greenery and colorful flowers in the background under a cloudy sky.
A close-up of a vibrant red hibiscus flower, showcasing its large petals and yellow stamens, surrounded by green leaves and a wooden background.

I’m growing vegetables too: spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, even cantaloupe. Not everything’s fruiting yet, but every new sprout feels like a quiet victory. It’s slow magic. The kind that teaches you patience without making you feel like you’re failing.

A wooden porch with various potted plants, including ferns and flowering plants, alongside a watering can and a mirror reflecting the surroundings.

And painting? That’s where I go when words don’t work.
I don’t plan what I’ll paint. Sometimes it’s flowers. Sometimes outer space. Sometimes it’s just abstract shapes that feel right in the moment. I’ll repaint a canvas over and over until it feels finished—and then I hang it up. Every one of my completed paintings is on a wall somewhere in the house, which feels kind of special.

An abstract painting depicting a blue sky with white clouds and a golden streak, above a textured brown landscape.

I usually paint in quiet. No music, no podcast or audiobook. Just the sound of whatever’s happening outside, or in the house. Sometimes my boyfriend’s working in his office with a baseball game on, or the news playing way too dramatically (David Muir, calm down). I’ll take breaks to sit on the floor in there with him and watch Wheel of Fortune (his show—he always wins) and Jeopardy (my show—he never stands a chance). Those small breaks make everything feel more human, more shared.

A colorful abstract painting featuring splattered paint on a dark background, with hints of green and bright pinks, positioned on a floor near wooden furniture.
An abstract painting with textured green and blue colors, featuring streaks of white and hints of other colors, creating a vibrant and organic feel.
A colorful abstract painting featuring splashes of pink, yellow, and red, with an unintentional happy face shape formed by the paint.

Sometimes I use leftover paint from my canvas to create blackout poetry, circling random words on book pages and painting over the rest. I’ve made over 100 of those poems. It’s not structured or fancy. It’s just… what I do. And I love it.

A cozy living room with several cats lounging on the floor and a cat perched on a table. A ceiling fan is above, and the space features plants and bookshelves in the background.
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A tortoiseshell cat lounging on a kitchen counter next to an orange handbag.
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A workspace with various paint tubes and a paint palette featuring splashes of colors on it. Two pieces of artwork are visible: one painted dragonfly on a canvas with a blue background and a yellow dragonfly on another canvas.

If you’re someone who’s tired, overstimulated, or just looking for something that feels soft and grounding… I get it.
You don’t need to grow a garden or adopt four cats. But maybe you need one plant. One paintbrush. One poem. One quiet night that doesn’t have to lead anywhere.

A person relaxed on a bed with colorful pillows and blankets, playing with two cats in a cozy room with warm lighting.

I’m learning that love can look like this:
Four cats.
Too many pots of flowers.
Paint under my fingernails.
And a day that doesn’t demand more of me than I can give.

A colorful workspace featuring a yellow patterned tablecloth with paint tubes, brushes, and a sketchbook with handwritten notes. A partially painted canvas and a notebook with visible text are also on the table.

Whatever your version of this is—whatever makes you feel alive and okay—I hope you let it take up space. Even if it’s small. Especially if it’s small.

And if you’ve got a “soft life” ritual of your own—something that helps you slow down, feel grounded, or just makes your day a little gentler—I’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments if you feel like it. 🌸

A pink flower petal shaped like a heart lying on a dark, marbled surface.

Title: Hyperfocused on Gardening: A Neurodivergent Spin on a Joyful Day of Planting

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A black cat sitting inside a gardening planter on a patio, with additional empty pots nearby.

Today was one of those days where everything just clicked, and I got completely lost in something. I mean, I was hyperfocused—like, buzzing with excitement. My whole body was practically tingling with joy as I worked my way through this gardening project. If you’ve ever felt so into something that your entire body is just lit up, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

A person potting new plants on a wooden deck, with a black cat nearby. The individual is wearing a red floral top and white shorts, holding a gardening tool. A container for planting is visible in the foreground.
Me & Frodo during the potting process (which I’ll have to redo, but that’s OK!)

For a while now, I’ve wanted to grow a garden—not just flowers in pots, but something I could eat. Something I could snack on, something healthy. My first thought was strawberries. I’d love to grow them and just pop them in my mouth right from the garden. But, as it turns out, they were a little too expensive for my budget today (they were $30, which is way out of my price range). I’ll definitely be getting them eventually, but today wasn’t the day for strawberries.

Person taking a selfie in a mirror wearing a white shirt with paint splatters and a visor, sticking out their tongue and showing a playful expression.

As I walked through the garden center, I started thinking about what I could grow within my budget. That’s when I spotted cucumber plants, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Cucumbers! They’re perfect for snacking, and I could totally make pickles someday. And at $4.56, they were a great fit for my budget. So, I grabbed one.

Then I saw it. Lavender. Oh, lavender. It was $5.37, and I had to have it. I debated for a second but knew I couldn’t leave without it. I was about to stop there, but THEN, when the cashier rang me up, I found out both the cucumber and lavender were on sale for $3.33 each. I couldn’t resist—so I ran back and grabbed a cantaloupe plant I had also been eyeing. It was my third choice, but at that price, it was totally meant to be!

A person sitting on a patio with potted plants, a black cat nearby, and a dog lying on the grass in a backyard setting.
HEY! 😀

I was so stoked, I couldn’t wait to get home and start planting. Now, I’m not a pro, but I had enough of an idea of what I was doing. I potted the plants into the containers I had on hand, but here’s the thing—after a little more research, I realized that I’ll definitely need bigger pots. So, that fun repotting session? That’s coming either tonight or tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it, though, because I’m excited to give them the space they need to grow.

Overgrown catnip plant and soil in a backyard with a white fence in the background.
A rustic wooden planter box sitting on grass, with a plain background.

And, of course, I also found out that cucumbers and cantaloupe need trellises, which sent me into another hyperfocused spin. I started Googling how to make trellises, and then I was texting my dad about any random pieces of wood he has in his garage (he has a ton, believe me). The idea of building my own trellis has me pretty hyped, and I can’t wait to see how that turns out.

The other part of my day that really lit me up was working with my hands to clear out the overgrown catnip plant in the backyard. I grabbed my cutters, started pulling out weeds, and getting all dirty in the soil was just so satisfying. I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy using a hoe until today. It kind of felt like swinging a softball bat, but in a really productive way. So, I got a little workout in too (no complaints there). My muscles are definitely feeling it, and I think I’ll be sore tomorrow, but it was totally worth it.

By the end of the day, I had cucumber, cantaloupe, and lavender plants sitting in their new pots (for now). The backyard looks a million times better with the catnip cleared out. And honestly? It was so much fun. I was so into it that I forgot time even existed. This whole gardening thing? It’s turned into one of my “special interests,” and I think it’s a perfect example of how my neurodivergent mind works. When something captures my attention, it grabs hold of me fully. And today, gardening was that thing.

If you’re wondering what “special interests” are, they’re basically things that autistic people get really into. It’s not just a passing fascination, either. Special interests can bring so much joy and motivation. For me, gardening (and my house plants) has become a major part of that. It’s one of those things that makes me feel energized and alive in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

Anyway, today was a reminder that it’s okay to get lost in something that excites you, even if you don’t have everything figured out. Sometimes, it’s about the joy of doing something right then and there, just because. And hey, if you haven’t tried gardening yet, I highly recommend it. It’s grounding, it’s thrilling, and it’s incredibly satisfying.

Thanks for reading! Drop a comment if you’ve had any hyperfocused moments (or gardening wins). I’d love to hear about it!

Leaf Lover: A Houseplant Devotion

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I’m not really a succulent person. I’ve tried—God knows I’ve tried—but something about those stiff, rubbery little leaves doesn’t click with me. They just sit there, all stoic and self-contained, and I forget about them for one day too long and poof. Gone. Crispy. Cold to the touch. No drama, just silence.

But give me a leafy plant? A long, reaching, swaying-in-the-breeze, viney, thirsty, dramatic houseplant? That’s where I come alive. I don’t just like houseplants—I love them. I pet their leaves. I talk to them. I move them around the room like they’re trying to feng shui their lives and I’m just here to help. They’re my quiet little roommates, and we’re in this together.

There’s something so soothing about a big green leaf. I love the way they catch the light in the afternoon, how they lean toward the window like they’re sunbathing. I love when they surprise me with a new leaf—curled tight like a secret and slowly unfurling over days. There’s no rush. No performance. Just this steady, quiet growth.

I pet my plants like they’re cats. I know I’m not supposed to, technically—some article once told me it stresses them out—but honestly? They seem fine. My pothos practically flutters when I touch it. My philodendron has been thriving under my affectionate, slightly obsessive care. I’ll give them a little stroke as I walk by, just to say hi. A gentle “you’re doing amazing, sweetie.”

And they are. They’re doing amazing. In a world that can feel like it’s constantly unraveling, my houseplants are a kind of everyday miracle. I water them, trim them, repot them when they start getting dramatic and rootbound, and in return they remind me that growth doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Sometimes you grow by just reaching a little more toward the light.

So yeah, I love my houseplants. Not in a Pinterest-aesthetic way. Not in a “plant mom” mug kind of way (please no one get me one – I hate novelty anything). I love them in a real, steady, intimate way. They make me feel calm. Connected. A little more human. A little more alive.

And if I occasionally sing to them while watering or whisper encouragement to a particularly shy fern, well—some things are just between me and the leaves.