Becoming the Gardener of your Mind: The How

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” – Alfred Austin

Any time is prime time to plant the garden of your mind

Developing confidence, reducing stress, finding your voice, and changing limiting behaviors begins in your mind. These are just a few of the outcomes my hypnotherapy clients seek when they work with me.

As we walk through the process together, I love using the analogy of a garden to outline the journey to a “different” brain. A mind that no longer limits you or gets in the way of what you want for your life.

Any season is the right one to start planting your mental garden—so that it can grow weed-free, strong, and fruitful throughout the next days, weeks, months, and years. And yet, every gardener needs a little help along the way to ensure fertile soil, the *right* crops that fit the environment, and of course, the water of encouragement and the sunlight of support.

Mental gardening has many steps–but the path is clear

As you think about the type of mental landscape (and ultimately the life) you’d like to cultivate, it’s important to embrace some strategy. Just like you wouldn’t plant a banana tree outside of the tropics, it’s critical that you know what sort of climate, soil, and seeds grow best together and how to help them take root and flower reliably. 

If we’ve spent a lifetime with a mind filled with the weeds of your Inner Critic and a tired lawn of coping skills that no longer work plus viral behaviors that tear down your body, the first step is CLEARING all that debris out, so that you can start again with new soil.

The clearing process involves looking gently back into your past and digging out everything that doesn’t serve you today or who you want to become tomorrow. Even though several plants may be allowed to stay in your new garden, it’s good to prune back old roots and branches—as well as getting rid of pests and toxic tendrils that will overtake the healthy seedlings of new thought and behavior if left unchecked.

As you’d imagine, clearing your mental garden plot can involve some effort. That’s why it helps so much to have someone like myself assisting with the grunt work. Hypnotherapy is a strong shovel and a shot of energy and strength—in the most nourishing and easeful way possible. 

In the clearing process, we discover emotional holes in your life, the messaging that currently takes up the most room in your mind, and the ingenious ways your “limiting” behaviors may have indeed enabled you to get as far as you have!

Next, envision the beauty and flow of your garden

Once the clearing process is complete, it’s time to decide what you want to plant in your fresh new mental soil. Perhaps you’re ready for financial security. Or a truly satisfying intimate relationship. Or more confidence at work and advancement in your career. Or even simply more contentment and less anxiety.

Once you craft the idea of the garden in your mind, you can begin planting the seeds of new Inner Messaging:

Instead of telling yourself what an idiot you were for saying that thing out loud, asking for something you need, or taking a risk on a new adventure, you can switch to words like:

• “I love all the parts of me I see today.”
• “I’m worthy of care and attention, and I have the power to figure out how to meet my needs in healthy ways.”
• “I don’t have to stay quiet when something is important to me.”

As I type those words, I imagine beautiful trees and vines sprouting green shoots and gorgeous blooms in my mind—it’s a lovely snapshot of a thriving brain and a calm nervous system, with a dash of joy and excitement.

How to become a seasoned and experienced mental gardener

Whether you’re a seasoned TMM follower or just encountering us for the first time, help is available right where you are. A good first step might be to follow us on our socials or subscribe to one of our free or introductory meditation series—we’ve got plenty! 

If you feel ready for a deeper dive, learn more about and schedule your hypnotherapy session with me HERE.

In truth, you have all the shovels, hoes, rakes, soil, and seeds you need within yourself. Sometimes it takes input from other successful farmers and growers to ensure a healthy mental and emotional harvest. 

Remember, you’re not broken. Your inner garden CAN be a sweet, relaxing, and beautiful place to inhabit. I can help you nurture it until it blooms in peace, confidence, calm, and beauty.

I’m right here waiting with the tools. Remember to click the link and find out more about how gentle, freeing, and uplifting hypnotherapy is with me.