Day 6 Of Finding Empathy

On the weekend, most of us want to kick up our feet and relax. We deserve a break from the weekday hustle. It's understandable and necessary for us to tackle Monday with a clear head.

However, what if this weekend we took on a DIY project?

Something new.

Something we have never done.

Something that will stretch us.

Like baking bread, sewing socks, taking photographs, drawing sketches, playing guitar or making something that makes us think. Do you think we will find creating something new is harder than it looks?

Yes!

Last weekend, I made a planter stand out of wood. Scrolling through social media, the headline "Simple Plant Stand DIY" caught my eye. I was looking to get me out of my creative rut, and this project seemed like a simple and straightforward way to make something fabulous.

Well, "Simple Plant Stand DIY" took me all day Sunday, some of Monday and half of Thursday. I almost cut off my thumb, twice. I am still picking wood glue from jeans, and the plant stand is only "standing" because it's being held together by a tiny previously used IKEA screw and a bit craft of paint. One slight breeze and this DIY is going to look like a stylish bit of kindling sitting on my office floor.

The whole process was frustrating, exhausting, and humbling.

Notice Anything? I Forgot The Drill Bit.

To top it all off, after the plant stand was complete, I realized I needed a plant to go to the plant stand. Which became a whole additional problem. Luckily, ProFlowers has a simple solution to picking the perfect houseplant; a "House Plants Flow Chart."

Here is some great insight from ProFlowers on how to pick a great plant:

"Fresh houseplants are the perfect addition inside a home in desperate need for some color and a splash of fresh decor. A carefully selected houseplant can help fill out an empty corner or pull together a plain-looking room. Plants range in shape and size and have different criteria for care.

There are a handful of things to consider when selecting new plants. For example, how often will you be home? Are you planning to put your plant in a sunny or a shady spot? Do you have any pets? With all of these things to consider, how can you know what plant will be the best for you?

If you’re looking for a more entertaining way to answer this question, take a look at this fun flowchart ProFlowers put together to help you find the best houseplant for you!

While I am glad this DIY project is over, it did make me empathize and think deeply about people who make things everywhere and every day. Even when something seems simple, it takes a dedicated and thoughtful hand to create something valuable.