It’s true that connecting with nature is good for my mental health and wellbeing.  I think my love of horticulture and my garden are strong indicators of how I relax.  True to my roots (no pun intended) in colourful displays, it was time to inspect the buds which were bursting with pride in the garden this afternoon.  Hardly surprising, I grabbed a mug of tea (in my new Association of Strong Women mug – thanks Annie) and took it outside to chill in the sunshine.  The sunlight on the pond water created glimpses of a rainbow, as the occasional bearded Iris fluttered like a blue butterfly in the breeze.  Just a week or so ago, I was disappointed that much of the garden was still sleeping, although this afternoon there were signs of change and excitement.  It was as though an artist had been at work overnight and left little dollops of colour here and there to keep me interested.

Curious bees were investigating the newly opened Rhododendron buds.  They seemed thrilled that there were some new places to play hide and seek.  And I was delighted that the buds weren’t ruined by the recent late frosts which wreaked havoc elsewhere.  I watched the goldfish as they darted in and out of view, the warmth of the sunshine on my face.  I’m still puzzled by the disappearance of “Survivor” a few weeks ago, although the four little fries are still thriving.  Heaven knows how bright orange adults spawn one gold and three black offspring.  Oh, the joys of nature.  A couple of blackbirds landed and took off again without a second glance.  Yes, I was well and truly relaxed.  And then I woke up!  The phone was ringing, and I was back to reality with a bump, yet all the better for connecting with my natural surroundings.

A conversation about employee wellbeing ensued and was perhaps more daring than it would have been had I not connected with my garden.  Somehow my thoughts were clearer and my arguments more sophisticated as I considered some of the upcoming challenges.  An earlier conversation this week touched on employee engagement and likely commitment to employers who weren’t trying hard to impress.  This conversation thread had its origins in recruitment and candidate attraction.  My sense is that people will not stay with organisations which don’t at least try to adapt to new ways of working and they certainly won’t be attracted to join in the first place.

Most people who know me will recognise my commitment to the commercials, yet we need diversity, inclusivity, profitability and resilience if we are to survive.  The economy will recover from the clutches of the pandemic, although we still need the kindness and benefits of community, we’ve all learned to love.  We need to create a sustainable business model which values the people who create the reality just as much as the product or service on offer.  It needs to be affordable and sustainable.  Maybe this is the time for us all to pool our resources and learn from each other in the spirit of community.  I understand the principles of competition although the travel sector is just as dependent on infrastructure and aviation as it is on its customers.  Just a minute, aren’t some of those organisations the employers of those very same customers?

Not everyone reading this will get the same imagination spark from sitting in their garden as me, although connecting with nature often creates a safe space for reflection.  Go on, give it a try – I dare you.  Then, let me know how you get on.  It’s unlikely that I’ll fit everyone with current resourcing challenges into my modest little garden for inspiration, but we can begin the conversation about how you can attract and retain great people to work with you.  Let’s talk.