Why I Was Proud of a Fallen Leaf

Guess what?! This past month, my slow-growing rubber plant sprouted three new leaves! 🌱

It was incredible to watch them unfold — one after the other after the other.

But just a few months ago, it wasn’t like this at all.

For nine whole months, there was no new growth. Nothing.

Then a few things changed:

1. It got warmer

2. I moved the plant where it could get more light

3. I got more consistent with watering

With just a bit of basic TLC, it started growing again.

But you know what else happened?

A few weeks ago, one of the bottom leaves started turning brown.

And the other day, it dropped that leaf. 🍂

When I saw it on the floor, I wasn’t sad.

Nope — I was proud.

Because I knew this plant was doing exactly what it needed to do.

After a big growth spurt, it had to let go of what wasn’t serving it anymore.

This is why I love nature and plants — and why I spent ten years teaching elementary students about the environment. 

No matter how you look at it, nature always gives us a metaphor for life.

So here’s what I’m taking away from my rubber plant right now:

1. Seasons come and go, and we need different things in different seasons.

2. Sometimes, a little sunlight, water, and warmth is all you need.

3. And sometimes, in order to keep growing, you have to let go of what no longer serves you.

If I didn’t know better, I might’ve been upset that my plant wasn’t growing in the dead of winter, in a room with barely any light.

Or I might’ve panicked when I saw that fallen leaf and gone down a rabbit hole researching how to “save” my poor plant. 

But when we understand that all of these things are part of the natural cycle, we can relax and trust the process.

I know this can be a challenge for me — I’m definitely prone to frustration when I’m not exactly where I want to be yet.

But the more I understand the phases of the cycle I’m in, the more I can relax and enjoy the ride.

So, which phase are you in right now? Are you in that seemingly stagnant season, wondering where all your growth is?

Are you in the middle of an expansion, bursting with new growth?

Or are you shedding what you no longer need?

None of these phases are bad — they’re all necessary. 

And if you ever need a reminder of that, go for a walk in nature and notice what the natural world has to teach 🍃