I think the prospect of being away from the familiar and the fear that we may not be able to come back to it is the issue for most. This defines the real border - not the geographical fabrications imposed on us all. How you address this fact filters down to the big decisions. When I travel - defined as any distance from my front door - and get enthused by things, it’s always about the sense of place and celebration of the moment. It’s transient, ephemeral and by default short lived. I have no control of its present or future and so it can never become familiar in the same way as my home and garden. Sadly the tricks we all learn too late in life are not to rush things, milk the moment as much as you can and always acknowledge that difference is to be embraced. Mastering these tricks will take the fear, anxiety and inherent stubbornness out of any decision making - KIS KIS ( keep it simple)👍
I'm in the minority of actively looking for change- I never mind it and am very unsentimental. I will leave my garden of 15 years next spring, not far away but different. I'm glad to be leaving a bigger garden for a smaller one. Leaving plants behind is a good thing. Newer garden will be less flowers and more foliage and more space to just do nothing. Sure there will be plants I will miss but that's life and I'm grateful for the chance to make another garden again.
For some unknown reason, I agreed to go away in MAY this year. What was I thinking?! It will be for less than two weeks, but still...MAY?! The only upside so far is that it has made me pause a bit, rather than rushing headlong into rearranging and planting, and that might be a good thing.... But when we return, the first thing I'll do is walkabout the yard to see what's happened. (Only because I can't pick up the dogs until the following day.)
If it's any consolation, there are not many months when you won't miss a lot if you go away. And things move fast in May, so there'll be big changes when you return.
I've only ever lived in 3 places,but I don't remember the first,only seen photographs. I was two years old when my Mum and Dad with me and older and younger sister moved from a basement flat in Redland, Bristol to a council house (with large garden) on Hillfields on the other side of the city. I've always had a love/hate relationship with Hillfields,or is that hate/hate. Anyway I lived there for 47 years which says a lot about me and none of it good. Maybe God enjoys a Cosmic Joke now and again. Now I've lived 20 years in a cosy,takes 20 minutes to sweep and clean top floor flat in the St George area,only a mile away from my previous home but a very different vibe. I now garden in the communal area. I garden at the front of our block and another resident Steve gardens at the back of our block. We do consult and help out a little here and there,but both of us having health issues we don't take on too much.
I don't want to ever move again. I like it here.I am now in the process of creating (aged 69) my third and I hope last garden in my life,and so far x fingers l,it's going well. (The first 2 gardens were at our old house).
Yes - I think January is really when we should go away if we can. But there is the temptation of quiet afternoons by the fire which away might not quite compensate for.
I think the prospect of being away from the familiar and the fear that we may not be able to come back to it is the issue for most. This defines the real border - not the geographical fabrications imposed on us all. How you address this fact filters down to the big decisions. When I travel - defined as any distance from my front door - and get enthused by things, it’s always about the sense of place and celebration of the moment. It’s transient, ephemeral and by default short lived. I have no control of its present or future and so it can never become familiar in the same way as my home and garden. Sadly the tricks we all learn too late in life are not to rush things, milk the moment as much as you can and always acknowledge that difference is to be embraced. Mastering these tricks will take the fear, anxiety and inherent stubbornness out of any decision making - KIS KIS ( keep it simple)👍
I'm in the minority of actively looking for change- I never mind it and am very unsentimental. I will leave my garden of 15 years next spring, not far away but different. I'm glad to be leaving a bigger garden for a smaller one. Leaving plants behind is a good thing. Newer garden will be less flowers and more foliage and more space to just do nothing. Sure there will be plants I will miss but that's life and I'm grateful for the chance to make another garden again.
I'm not at all sure you're in a minority. Though possibly more people have change thrust on them by their circumstances than actively seeking it.
I wish you joy in the new garden.
For some unknown reason, I agreed to go away in MAY this year. What was I thinking?! It will be for less than two weeks, but still...MAY?! The only upside so far is that it has made me pause a bit, rather than rushing headlong into rearranging and planting, and that might be a good thing.... But when we return, the first thing I'll do is walkabout the yard to see what's happened. (Only because I can't pick up the dogs until the following day.)
If it's any consolation, there are not many months when you won't miss a lot if you go away. And things move fast in May, so there'll be big changes when you return.
But, yes, not the best plan!
I've only ever lived in 3 places,but I don't remember the first,only seen photographs. I was two years old when my Mum and Dad with me and older and younger sister moved from a basement flat in Redland, Bristol to a council house (with large garden) on Hillfields on the other side of the city. I've always had a love/hate relationship with Hillfields,or is that hate/hate. Anyway I lived there for 47 years which says a lot about me and none of it good. Maybe God enjoys a Cosmic Joke now and again. Now I've lived 20 years in a cosy,takes 20 minutes to sweep and clean top floor flat in the St George area,only a mile away from my previous home but a very different vibe. I now garden in the communal area. I garden at the front of our block and another resident Steve gardens at the back of our block. We do consult and help out a little here and there,but both of us having health issues we don't take on too much.
I don't want to ever move again. I like it here.I am now in the process of creating (aged 69) my third and I hope last garden in my life,and so far x fingers l,it's going well. (The first 2 gardens were at our old house).
Hope it blossoms well for you, for the rest of your life.
When I go on holidays I get a hankering for what happening in my garden. And an urge to get back to it. Except in January.
Yes - I think January is really when we should go away if we can. But there is the temptation of quiet afternoons by the fire which away might not quite compensate for.