My Spirit Animal Is...

A plant. I don't think my spirit animal is an animal at all. There have been times when I might have thought my spirit animal was a house cat or maybe the Dory character from Finding Nemo. Like a house cat, I would happily lounge around the house all day. I could really get used to just living to eat and nap like a house cat does. I don't really have short term memory loss like Dory, but I do get distracted easily! Look! Something shiny! I'll be right back... Lately, I've started to notice that there is one living thing that mirrors my mood and behavior almost exactly, and it isn't an animal at all.

I think my spirit animal is a plant. Specifically, a geranium. Yes, a geranium. Why? Well, let me explain. Growing geraniums is easy as long as you can give them what they need. So what do I, I mean, what does a geranium need? It need lots of light and warm temperatures. Simple, right? Well, maybe not so simple this far north of the equator.

Last summer my geranium and I were doing great! Lots of sunshine and warm temperatures were good for the both of us physically and mentally. Well, I can't speak to the plant's mental health, but I felt pretty good in that respect, and the geranium was blooming like crazy.

Then, little by little, the days kept getting shorter and shorter. Before either of us knew it, there just wasn't enough warmth or sunlight to keep us humming along. As we entered Fall, and began the holiday gauntlet, the geranium and I started to show signs of distress.

After the holidays, we were both running on fumes. The plant didn't have any blooms left and only about 3-4 green stems could manage to support green leaves. As for me, well, my energy and mood cratered. If I could, I would have just stayed in bed and waited for Spring. Unfortunately, I had to get up and try to keep that damn plant alive among my many other chores and responsibilities.

My geranium in late February 2019. At this point it's actually starting to look better!

Luckily as we rounded into March and headed into Spring, the plant and I both started to perk up a bit. The bright red blooms returned with the ever lengthening days, and so too my mood and energy rebounded as well.

My geranium mid-April 2019. What a difference a little sunshine makes!

Now that we are almost to the middle of May, we are both back on top of our games. It is time to take advantage of the longer days and warm temperatures! I've got projects and vacations planned and cannot wait to storm into Summer 2019 with a vengeance.

Next Fall, I just have to keep an eye on the geranium. When it starts to loose its blooms, I'll know it is time for me to start conserving energy as well. My Fall 2019 Resolution (as opposed to my New Year's Resolution – who says resolutions are a one time a year thing anyway?) is to recognize my limits and set clear boundaries about what I have the energy to enjoy and when I need to just dial back on my schedule and rest. My spirit plant has shown me that getting through winter doesn't have to be such a bummer. I just have dial back my ambition a tad and honor my body and its need to rest. We'll both bloom again in the Spring!