Vaccines, Therapy, & Gardening ~

It’s that time of year again — when I roll up my sleeve and prepare for my annual vaccines. I never look forward to it. The idea of willingly having needles stuck into me isn’t exactly pleasant. I know I’ll likely feel tired and unwell for a day or two afterward. Yet, I do it because I understand the long-term value. Vaccines strengthen my body, building protection that I can’t see, but deeply rely on. The discomfort is temporary; the benefits last all year.

Lately, I’ve realized that therapy is a lot like that — or maybe more like gardening for the soul. It’s an essential part of mental health maintenance. Each therapy session is an act of tending to my inner landscape, pulling up weeds I’ve ignored, pruning what no longer serves me, and planting seeds of compassion and growth.

There are days when therapy feels like kneeling in the dirt of my own heart. I dig into old wounds and buried emotions. I face tangled roots — patterns and beliefs that have quietly shaped my life for years. It’s uncomfortable work. Some sessions leave me emotionally sore, raw, and tired. But just as a garden needs weeding and watering to flourish, my emotional well-being requires consistent care and patience.

Through therapy and self-care, I’ve learned that healing doesn’t always look graceful. Growth can be messy. Some days, it’s full of blossoms — moments of clarity and peace. Other days, it’s simply about clearing space, pulling up what’s overgrown, and trusting that something beautiful will bloom again.

Therapy, much like gardening, teaches me the value of time, effort, and nurture. Both require showing up, even when it’s hard. Both ask for faith — that beneath the surface, something good is happening.

So, I keep showing up — for my shots, my sessions, and my soil. Because personal growth and emotional healing aren’t instant. They’re cultivated, slowly, lovingly, and with intention. And in that process, I continue to find strength, balance, and peace — one season, one session, one seed at a time.

~ julie

If you feel so inclined, please reply with your thoughts.

Note: JM Lane is NOT a mental health professional, nor does she carry a license to practice medicine. Posts, blogs, and content are based on JM Lane’s personal experiences, perceptions, and reflections. By no means does any material convey what others should or should not do.