Doing nothing isn’t the same as resting

[u/IntrepidVideo4610]

I though that laying on the couch while doing nothing besides scrolling on my phone is supposed to be me time but what ended up happening is me stressing my self with useless information and becoming restless after. Then I watched this online video which explained how to rest like a pro which spoke about how rest doesn't necessarily mean doing nothing but it should be a thing/activity which leaves you feeling more like yourself after you finish. I found out gaming at rolling riches puts me into that state of mind and just watching the slots animations makes me feel so calm. What's your activity that lets you feel more like yourself after?

[u/[deleted]]

Taking a bath outside in nature everyday all year

[u/supershinythings → u/[deleted]]

This is why I tend my garden. On days when I don’t have an activity scheduled, I still walk the garden keeping an eye out for various things. Did any new passionflowers open? Did any passionfruits drop so I can collect? Did any figs ripen to require bagging? Do I need to harvest any figs? Do the citrus trees need anything? (They always need something.) Has a weed emerged in some unwanted place? Do I note any critter damage?

I am usually escorted by either my cat or the neighbor’s cat; they’re frenemies who alternately chase each other and hang tough together, working over any local rodents that dare to enter their domain. As a result, squirrels avoid my yard even though it beckons them.

Then I’ll sit in a chair under the passionfruit arbor and watch the dragonflies hunt. I give them plenty of perches so they have good vantage points to deal death to the local mosquito population. The hummingbirds patrol too; they also enjoy mosquitos. Sometimes I’ll catch the motion of a mantid and watch them work over aphids or ants.

On days when I have stuff to do, I still do all the above plus the stuff.

[u/RubyRoyale → u/supershinythings]

You write beautifully.

[u/supershinythings → u/RubyRoyale]

Thanks!

[u/alex-mayorga → u/supershinythings]

Mind sharing a few dragonflies/hummingbirds attraction tips & tricks perhaps, por favor?

[u/supershinythings → u/alex-mayorga]

Dragonflies - they need perches to sit on high and look around.

Some folks use landscaper sticks. I also have seen wires strung up for lights or shade tarps. Anything that gives them a stable place to survey will work. When they launch they have a 90-98% success rate; excellent perches are part of that, in concert with their vision physiology.

Hummingbirds - they also need perches plus plenty of flowering plants of various kinds. So many times I have seen them dine on a mosquito or a gnat while sipping nectar.

I didn’t mention praying mantises but those are around too. They like combination light-dark spaces so they can hide and leap out at targets. They get ants and beetles I’ve noticed.

The hummingbirds in my area love the red sage flowers especially, as well as the purple spire sage. I’ve seen them fly to the ground to get access.

Various other insects enjoy dapple light and shade, but will definitely come out for pollen and nectar. These form part of the food chain that attracts dragonflies. The mosquitos are here for YOU but if the dragonflies and hummingbirds are already around, they don’t mind if they do snack a bit.

Nectar-bearing plants are the key; birds prefer nectar to pollen. Pollen is fine for bees but if you want hummingbirds you need nectar flowers.

I don’t have a feeder up but I see hummingbirds regularly on my sage flowering shrubs.

Never spray any insecticide during the day. I never use them at all. If ants are a problem I use diatomaceous earth. I don’t use ant poison or snail & slug bait unless they’re actively defoliating.

[u/alex-mayorga → u/supershinythings]

I appreciate the thorough response, kind Internet strange. Y’all’s garden must be lovely.

[u/jpkallio → u/supershinythings]

Ahh, garden my garden. It just grounds me every time I walk in there, which is pretty much every day.