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How To Make A Mini Zen Garden
How To Make A Mini Zen Garden
Getting Calm In Tiny Spaces
Getting Calm In Tiny Spaces
Are you feeling stressed right now?
Chances are, you've got something troubling you!
It's hard to avoid stress nowadays. Across the world and even in our daily lives, it seems practically impossible to find some much-needed peace and quiet.
That's why finding a space that allows you to clear your head is essential for your wellbeing! It gives you a minute to refresh and relax your mind and body.
While it doesn't resolve all your worries, it lets you face them with a renewed attitude!
If you don't have a room or a garden to call your calm place, what you may do is get a mini zen garden.
But wait - what exactly is a mini zen garden, and how can they help you unwind?
To answer your queries, we've put together a simple guide on what zen gardens are, what benefits they give, and how to make a mini zen garden of your own!
With this, you can get inner peace when things get crazy and out of hand.
Keep reading to discover how you can create a space for tranquility - that goes above your desk or table!
What Is A Zen Garden?
Zen gardens are rock landscape gardens that embody the essence of nature. Their origin goes back to 1,000 B.C., when they were first created at temples of Zen Buddhism.
Over time, Zen gardens have predominantly been used as spaces for reflection and meditation. They are havens for people who seek inner tranquility and harmony with nature.
Given this, most Zen gardens come with basic natural elements, including sand or gravel and rocks. Some also have small plants and water features.
The rocks are usually arranged to imitate mountains and islands, while sand patterns evoke waves in the sea.
Principles of Zen Gardens
While Zen gardens are known for their minimalist appearance, there's more to them than meets the eye. Their clean, almost bare composition stems from profound philosophical influences.
A few basic principles behind Zen gardens involve:
Simplicity - A Zen garden portrays nature in its true form. The clean spaces reveal how simple the world is without excessive objects and pretenses.
This is why it stimulates reflection and purity of thought. It calls us to free ourselves of mental clutter, and meditate on the real meaning of our lives and the world around us.
Asymmetry - Nature is not symmetrical, so Zen garden creations are not concerned with perfection. Instead, they pursue harmony and flow.
Rocks meet the sand to represent the asymmetrical yet harmonious elements of nature. This entices us to appreciate the ebb and flow of life and try to achieve balance in our own living.
Stillness - The broad space and the supposed "emptiness" of a Zen garden evokes a sensation of calm, clarity, and peace of mind.
It highlights the concept that the less you see, the clearer you genuinely see. You can take a moment to breathe, be still, and be present.
Benefits of Having A Mini Zen Garden
Don't have enough time, tools, or room at home to create a full-sized zen garden? Well, you can always go with mini zen gardens!
These little beauties recreate the look and stand for the ideas behind classic zen gardens. If your home or office has become a place where you feel stressed and bogged down, this is suitable for you.
Here are a few major benefits of having a mini zen garden:
Provides stress relief. It reminds you to let up and relax. When you're stressed, you can make patterns in the sand, rearrange the rocks, or simply admire it. This will help lower your stress levels instantly!
Boosts concentration and creativity - The clean, engaging space of a Zen garden helps clear your mind. This means you can focus more on your work and even try new strategies you hadn't thought of before!
Inspires beauty - Spruce up any space in your home! Its natural look invigorates you and allows you to see the world anew. In a simple way, it shows you that life is beautiful: from the big picture down to its small, imperfect details.
What You'll Need For Your Mini Zen Garden
Ready to make your mini zen garden? Let's get to it!
Here are the standard items you'll need for your relaxing mini garden:
Sand - Decorative sand is available at most craft stores. If you want more vibrance, opt for colored sands! Some people also use sand from beaches for an even more natural feel.
Container - Planters, plates, boxes, glass bowls, wooden boxes, and small trays all make great containers!
Plants - Air plants, succulents, and mosses are popular options for mini zen gardens, as they don't need a lot of water. Top tip: make sure to water your plants lightly! Water the potting mix only until it gets damp.
Stones - Stones are vital for any zen garden, whether you go with the traditional version or create your own. Get garden stones, pebbles, and crystals!
Mini Rake - You can build a DIY mini zen garden rake or find one online! This is what you'll use to draw patterns in the sand.
Trinkets - Any of your best-loved trinkets would be fantastic for your zen garden! You can opt for Zen-inspired trinkets like mini Buddhas, bridges, or lanterns or choose ones based on your unique style.
Essential Oils (optional) - Make your zen garden smell as tranquil as it looks with essential oils! Top tip: soothing scents include jasmine, lavender, lemon, and ylang-ylang.
Steps To Make Your Mini Zen Garden
The best thing about creating mini zen gardens is that you can find your own zen. This means you create a landscape that embodies your personal ideas of peace and nature.
That said, here are a few standard steps you can follow to build your mini zen garden. Take note, you can change up the process depending on your materials and tastes!
Place your potting mix into the spots where you want your plants in your container.
Set down your plants. Be sure they're in areas where they can receive enough light.
Spread the sand over the rest of the container.
Line up your stones to set up a border between your plants and the sand.
Put your other stones, pebbles, or crystals in any pattern of your choice.
Add a few drops of essential oils into the sand if you wish.
Draw patterns on the sand with the rake.
Place in the trinkets and accessories of your choice.
Mini Zen Garden Ideas
Can't come up with a theme for your little happy place that will make you feel peaceful and at ease? Don't worry!
Get inspiration from these unique and calming mini zen garden ideas.
Simple
Keep it simple and serene with this tabletop zen garden, made with only three items.
Succulent
Add life and energy to any space with a delightful succulent zen garden!
Bridge
In Zen philosophy, bridges represent the connection between man and nature. Use this theme with a mini garden featuring a tiny bridge!
Sanctuary
Greens, sands, stones, and blooms inspire beauty and tranquility in this little sanctuary.
Box
Get resourceful and eco-friendly with this DIY zen garden in a box.
Colorful
Got a more fun and exciting style? Go with this colorful yet calming mini haven!
Beach
If you find your calm in the sun, sands, and sea, create this mini zen beach for your desk!
Winter
Need simple yet distinct and magical holiday decor? Try this winter-themed zen garden!
Duffy's Flowers & Plants Location
Duffy's Flowers & Plants Location
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