This week a challenge or prompt was set to write or include something about letting go (after watching the trees lose their leaves at this time of year) which I thought was a good place to start this blog. After a manic few weeks of getting bulbs planted and gardens ready for winter (both clients and mine), I’ve had no choice but to take it easy so plants and flowers have been limited to looking at ones bought for me. Thank you to everyone who did, I have loved looking at them and have probably spent longer admiring the flowers than I normally would have had time for. From gerberas with autumn foliage and bright red berries, to pale pink alstromeria and gerberas mixed in with deep red dahlias, some of my favourite autumn flowers. To the pots of African violets now sitting on the window sill.

Pale pink alstroemerias

This year more than any other has taught me the art of letting go, have tried to keep going up until and only take a short time off after my first visit to hospital and finding it really didn’t work. From trying to be on the ball with clients asking questions and asking for help with decisions when my brain was a sleep deprived, drug addled fog to thinking I could carry on planting when I couldn’t bend in the middle. The poor delivery driver dropping off the plants seemed really bewildered at a garden designer wearing a long wool jumper and gym kit on a hot day in May to set the plants out, it was all I had that would fit over the dressings covering my stitches.

I learnt that second time around I needed to let some things go, by carrying on I was only making a mess of things. A part from writing this blog and the odd scroll through social media I’ve slept, gone for very short walks (a circuit of the kitchen or lap of the garden) and watched repeats on television, work has been firmly parked for the first three weeks (although work does still pop into my thoughts from time to time). I’ve told clients that I need a short break between phases of their projects (a big thank you for understanding) and have lined up other people to undertake any planting work over the next few months.

Gorgeous autumn colours: Vibrant orange gerberas and deep red dahlias

It has been a really hard lesson, as some who is really passionate about their business and loves seeing clients’ enthusiasm as their new garden starts becoming a reality I always want to carry on and keep the momentum going. But sometimes it is better to explain that having some time off is going to be best all round. That I can’t attend every event or take on every job as much as I want to but having had some time out I’m looking forward to coming back refreshed with new ideas for new projects in the new year.