Nature can guide us through gloom
1 April 2020
It’s the small things that count now. The small things.
In a world turned on its head by a wicked and invidious virus, with lives ripped apart and businesses destroyed, a sense of gloom, sadness and fear has engulfed our beautiful planet.
The human race is being collectively challenged in a manner not seen since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and it’s scary. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
A species which only a matter of months ago believed itself to be nigh on invincible is being cruelly reminded of its vulnerability. Its fragility. And, in time, perhaps even its culpability.
Why this coronavirus emerged and what it means for the future of our planet is a question many more qualified than us have already asked. What will coronavirus mean for global travel? For global food production? Supply chains? High-street shops?
For us at Planted, those questions can wait. For us, it’s about what we can do in here and now. Why try to predict the future when there is so much uncertainty and so much to be done right here, right now?
Instead, we’ve been asking ourselves; “what can we do to help?” We hope every business and brand up and down the land has been asking themselves that question too.
The answer may take time to present itself and indeed it may evolve. But, to start with, we believe we can help by directing people towards beautiful, natural things which can help bring a sense of inner peace amidst the chaos engulfing us.
We are a small team of seven, but over the coming weeks and months, as the world goes on hold to try and stem the virus’s tide, we are going to try to help all those stuck home with reminders that there is beauty everywhere, if we choose to look.
Just sitting still and listening to the gentle sound of birdsong can help calm frayed nerves and settle the soul. At least with so few planes flying overhead, the birds have the airways and the skies to themselves as we roll into Spring. Enjoy their different calls and the sense of innocence they evoke as they soar freely above.
We fully recognise that for those without gardens or outdoor spaces this lockdown is going to be acutely challenging. But even growing something small on your windowsill – a pot of mint or basil perhaps – can help provide that sense of calm and control we all crave as human beings.
There is so much evidence that shows planting and caring for plants, both indoor and out, can help improve mental health. Our mental and physical health is going to severely challenged in the coming weeks so why not support our desperately struggling nurseries and garden centres by placing online orders of seeds, plants and other products which will help you through this historic time?
If you’ve never grown vegetables before why not take this time to learn how. Start with something easy like courgettes and before you know it you’ll be dreaming of becoming the next Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall. The vast majority of us won’t be self-sufficient this summer, or ever for that matter, but even putting a couple of things on the table you’ve grown on our doorstep will add to the sense we’re doing our bit to help reduce travel and risk while providing our families with the freshest, healthiest produce imaginable.
Or, if you’ve been thinking of putting up a bird box or insect hotel, why not use this time to nurture nature? We can all do our bit, however small, to help restore and rejuvenate our damaged planet.
Whatever you do over the coming weeks and months, tread carefully and stay safe. Be kind to each other, help your local community wherever possible and embrace nature’s restorative powers. What is going on in the wider world may be too horrendous for most of us to comprehend, so why even try?
Enjoy the small things and help those around you. That’s what will get us all through together.
Written by Sam Peters, founding partner at Planted