Working in tech often means surviving stressful days when projects feel overdue, and avoiding burnout becomes essential. That is why it is highly recommended to have hobbies that are not connected to writing code, in order to switch to another activity, learn new things and develop creativity. In my case, I found myself being fully involved in gardening.
I started gardening, because my friend mentioned that I have a big balcony and I should start growing tomatoes. Before that, I thought I was only capable of killing plants and definitely didn’t have a green thumb. But after some time I caught myself trying to grow almost everything: tomatoes, radishes, carrots, salads, spinach, different herbs and flowers. I am still learning, but that is the point — I am continuously learning through the process, by experimenting with different plants and conditions. I also try to develop my inner voice that is connected to our mother nature and tells me what to do better.
I find gardening to be a wonderful hobby for people who sit a lot at the desk. When you go out to your balcony before you start working it calms your mind and creates a positive mood for the whole day. If you work from home then when you are having a coffee break you have an opportunity to go outside and check your plants, which adds a little bit of activity to your day. After a stressful working day you can again go outside and enjoy the fresh air in your garden.
Benefits of gardening:
- Engaging in repetitive tasks like watering, planting, or pruning offers a much-needed mental break, allowing your mind to reset.
- Spending time outdoors or with plants can increase serotonin levels and boost mood.
- Gardening helps improve focus, mindfulness, and a sense of accomplishment. For tech professionals, the demands of the job often involve long hours of deep focus and problem-solving. Gardening offers a perfect counterbalance. The act of caring for plants requires you to be present in the moment, helping to improve mindfulness and create a mental break from the constant flow of coding. This practice can sharpen focus and give your brain a much-needed reset, allowing you to return to work with renewed energy and clarity. Plus, the sense of accomplishment you feel when you see your plants grow or bloom can translate into increased confidence and motivation in other areas of your life, including your professional work.
- It improves creativity and planning ahead skill, because you need to create and think about the layout of your garden before the gardening season.
If you think that you are too busy for gardening here are few steps how you can find time for gardening:
- If you choose plants that are thriving in your climate, they do not need too much attention (like tomatoes or radishes in my case);
- If you plan ahead you can create a schedule spending only 5 minutes a day (maximum 10–15) taking care for your plants;
- If you smoke -> start gardening instead, if you do not -> still start gardening.
Before saying no to gardening, give it a try and embrace the calming effects that gardening can bring, even if it’s just a small part of your weekly routine. Start with small steps like growing only one plant and see how it goes.
Tschüss, Katrin 🙂