Some people are closer to nature than others. Many share a familiarity with animals, but there are also a great number of people out there who have an extreme affinity to plants. But a notion has seemed to risen among society – that gardening is for people whose lives are slow, whose pace of existence is not being chased by deadlines, theses, or exams. However is this notion true? Is it a truth, or is it just a myth?
The thing about gardening
In a society dominated by urbanism, where concrete jungles dominate the landscape and asphalt blankets the ground, gardening isn’t exactly popular. Where there are more grays than greens, the practice of raising plants are out of mind. So you can see where the previously mentioned notion comes from. Living in a fast-paced, physically concrete society, who has the time to buy some pots, some earth and fertilizer and some seeds? Or even out of the urban context, who are the people who have time to go around in the yard and tend the plants? That’s right – elderly. Although this might not be true for everybody, the general idea is reoccurring and accepted. But does an accepted idea equate to being true?
Against the flow
Who is the judge anyway? Some younger people – even teenagers may find gardening to be relaxing. Gardening is a respectable hobby. Just like any other hobby requiring time and effort, gardening is rewarding. It can satisfy, calm the nerves, and just generally make one brighter. All those flowers – all the beauty in it is not only reserved for those who are elderly. The joy of seeing one sprout from a seed is not limited to a few. In fact, gardening is for anyone who wants some color in their lives – literally. Some may think it’s too “gay” for young men, but that isn’t at all true! The patience and hard work required in gardening will really separate the men from boys who give up too easily. So you see, even if it’s not just for the elderly, it’s still not just for “little girls.”
So is gardening for the elderly? No. I believe that it’s a very bad stereotyping of our beloved elderly. Get this logic: elderly people garden, but not all who garden are old people. It’s for everybody, meant to be enjoyed by many and not limited just because of a society-created stereotype from the media. So if ever you have plans to start gardening, whoever you are, by all means. The wonderful world of gardening awaits you. Do your best!
