I cannot stop crying watching this video. This is why you are " LOVED INTERNATIONALLY ". You share your bad experiences, and thoughts, to help us grow from them , and we can all learn and overcome them together, from You ....the " BEST TEACHER EVER " 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 " THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU " 💨🙏
Thank you for highlighting the issues in Iran and other places in the world. Now is the time more than ever to be praying for one another and using your platform to spread peace and love. Thank you for the video!
A saying that always hits home for me is : There will always be someone who has it worse than you, but don’t minimize your own struggles and compare. Acknowledge that your personal struggles are hard. You can empathize with others and still have empathy for your hardships. Thank you for your honesty and for being humble. 💕
“ Too much effort to increase our happiness transforms it into misery. “ Jean Jacques Rousseau. “ When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning , they distract themselves with pleasures. “ Victor Frankl. “ I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires , rather than in attempting to satisfy them. “ John Stuart Mill.
100%. I always say that less is more with plants. Every plant you have should be grown well- if it’s not, you have too many plants. Plants are not acquisitions- they are living things that need love and focused attention. Thanks for speaking on this!
Oh, dear. I got stressed just from reading that you have 1000 plants! I stopped between 40-45, and I am more than satisfied. And I do not have any "rare" plants. I tried a Calathea last year and took that thing back to the garden center three days later! LOL! I just want to focus on caring for these and allowing them to care for me. I know what my brain handle, so I am good! God bless you, honey. Phew!🌴🧡
THIS is the video where I subscribe! Giving selflessly to others who may be in need is ALWAYS a beautiful thing and feeling! Especially, when you have a surplus or the resources! I like people who are for others. Great job!
I know what you mean, I’ve done a lot of propagation and now that everyone are back to the office not many people are buying plants. I also stopped buying plants and concentrate on my existing one. My aim is to grow them big and lush, I also think about where I can put them in my space. I realised that I’m not good with calathea so not buying them anymore even though they are so beautiful. Well done Sean you’ll get there.
Good on you for being honest and open about this. I went through the same thing several years back. over collected and lost plants so ended up donating a lot, and now just stick to the ones I truly love, in moderation. The plant hobby can get very expensive, especially when you get bombarded with new "it/must get" plants. It's important to set your limits mentally and emotionally. It's a hobby, it should be enjoyable without being detrimental to your mental, emotional and financial health.
HAHAHAHAAA!!! OhMyGoodness! "Why are these pillows leaning forward?" As you push one back into place, the other one falls forward. I had to pause the vid because it was so funny and I laughed so hard that tears came into my eyes. As for ADD, it was never "real" in my generation and probably under-diagnosed in yours. Good that you recognize it and are learning how to deal with it. I've found that it's a lifelong process with incremental improvements which add up over time, so your life becomes easier and you feel more enriched. As for gifts, it's the thought that counts. In Japan, there's an old saying, "The giver should be the one who is grateful when the receiver accepts a gift." A good way to show appreciation for a gifts that you don't wish to keep is to donate them to charity. In closing, your new house is AWESOME, the neighborhood sounds wonderful, love the plants, and THANK YOU for making this video!
So many plant channels, especially US based, where I live, promote shopping, collecting, buying. They don’t show how to focus and channel the energy into being selective, into growing the plants you have into large and lush specimens. Consumerism, buying something it is a easy way, if you have money, to compensate what is lacking in your life. Sometimes owning too much gives a sense of security but prevents personal change, growth, it keeps us stuck. This is a refreshing video. I tend to want to have backups and duplicates of things and gear I need. Anyway I will sell some Philodendron melanochrisum, which I don’t love as much as I thought I would after watching too many videos. Growing a common Philodendron micans to mature form would have been better than buying 3 melanochrysum imports. But plants grow slower than our desires to create and possess. So we buy more in between
You are more blessed that you, I, we can still enjoy a cup of coffee, admire your collection plants 🪴 and watch you! My advice: LOL, don't let your emotion control you, I have learned myself to control my emotion as well. Inhale.... Exhale... and don't forget to smile 😊... you're plants are beautiful 😘
Your honesty is appreciated. Thank you for articulating so well, what so many of us are experiencing. This video has given me much to reflect on. Very important messaging here.
I truly loved this video, and will probably watch it at least twice. I was so very moved by your gift of clothes to the workers in your home. I am diligent each day to make sure my gratitude out ways my worries. So glad you are making time for self reflection & self care as well. I know the world is crazy, especially right now, but we must concentrate on what we can do in our town & state. Kindness creates ripples on our planet. I know we are a world a part, but I always look forward to your thoughts, especially on sustainability. I will pray for the women in Iran. I have great compassion for all who struggle in their quest for freedom & rights. Stay well Sean.
Whoaaa thank you for the positive encouragement. “Kindness creates ripples on our planet” is a powerful sentence. It is contageous and more than ever, mankind needs to be more kind to one another.
Omg! Listening to you talk yourself through your thoughts is identical to the conversations I have with myself! I think we’re both in good company. Keep up the good work!
@@onlyplants ha! You’re here! That’s incredible for you to reply to your followers. Maybe you have some AI that does it for you. Lol But, since we’re on the topic of hoarding, I’ll tell you a story…. Two years ago, I did a round off back handspring and seriously jacked up my body. I have had four surgeries to “fix” my injuries and needless to say, can no longer do the flips and tricks that I used to do. I’ve been non weight bearing for three months last time and will be NWB for another two months, then in a boot for a month, this go around. My foot was fused, but the fusion didn’t take, so after recently finding out I’ve been walking on a broken foot all this time, we fixed it again last week. 🤪 So the point of my story IS…..I’ve become addicted to PLANTS. I can watch RUclips for hours upon hours, learning and being inspired by you and a few of my other favorite planty people. I love Summer Rayne Oaks, Harli G, Sheffield Made Plants, Plantarina, The Jungle Haven; to name a few. After experiencing some very sad days, debilitating pain and depression, I’ve found joy and happiness in caring for and nurturing plants. I’m 50+ years old, a nurse (a healer by nature), and WAS very active. I believe in putting your bare feet on the earth and connecting with nature is the best form of medicine! Anyway, big, huge thank you, for all you do. Balance in all things, they say: clutter/impulsive collecting, is an outward expression of inner chaos. Take care of you in the way you need! PS wish you lived closer, we could go plant shopping together! 😬
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings... it's hitting home with many of us. I ordered several plants this week but I'm done! Nothing relaxes me more than my plants but I don't want to be overwhelmed by them. You convinced me to let go of some too.
You are off to a good start, Sean. Your awareness of your plant hoarding problem and wanting to be relieved of the anxiety it causes will motivate you to a healthier approach to buying and keeping plants. Sometimes we just have to have something at a given moment and give in and other times we can reason with ourselves. I now prefer to have few plants that are grown well, grown to their normal size and spaced to be visually appreciated. Yours in ADD.
I love your channel, your honesty and your openness. More success to you! I had 10 or so well-loved plants for years before COVID. It quickly ballooned to 100+ during the pandemic. I was doing fine for a while but I eventually became stressed out and unhappy. I live in small apartment in New Jersey. it's hard to maintain that many plants in that situation. The catalog I prepared helped me realize that 40+ of them were either thrown away (died) or given away. Now, I'm down to 65 plants. Luckily, none of them are expensive as I always made sure I will not spend more than $25/plant or cutting. I'm cheapo! I still want to bring down to 30 or lower.
So purging continues on until I'm back to my normal self.
Love that you took a moment to speak your mind on these horrible issues plaguing the world. You’re a great human being. It makes me love your channel that much more. ❤
Thank you for all the energy, time, knowledge, and thoughtfulness you have shared. I am so proud and joyful that you are taking this journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. You have a very hard road a head of you but I am confident that you will be supported, guided, and deeply cared about as you travel on the road to being healthy. You change the world for the better so now it's time for the world to help you also change for the better. Peace and strength I wish for you.
Thank you for this honest self-reflection. I too struggled with letting go of plants and hoarding stuff but once I took that first step in de-cluttering and making my situation manageable so that I felt joy again rather than stress and depression, then I knew I had made the right choice. And having a balanced view of 'things' is a great way of allowing yourself to use your time and energy on what matters most, and that is....your mental & physical health, your family and your friends. 🙏😊
You do a beautiful work with your videos I really enjoy watching your videos and millions of people too, I believe you are a great person don’t pay attention of the negative people and comments . I think your new home is going to look amazing wen finished. Bravo amigo . Keep it up.
I really appreciate this video. It's long and I like the fact that I can just get back to it and continue watching. This makes me want to declutter too!
Several months ago you replied to my comment about a possibility overwatered peperomia. Thanks to your advice it is doing great. I also managed to take care of my sisters plants without killing them, so thanks!
🤔 *me thinking how long it would take to pack to move to Indonesia and become one of Sean's neighbors to get free plants and dig around in his trash for his throwaways* But on a more serious note congrats on taking the step to purge things that don't bring you joy. I'm in a similar place with my collection (and house in general) and I cannot wait to only own things I actually like and care about. Getting rid of things and reducing clutter has been relieving so much stress from my life! I hope it does for you as well 😊
I wish you luck 🍀 on downsizing. As I watched the video I realize that you may be a "hoarder" but when you speak about some of the plants there is so much joy and excitement in your voice. I also feel that you love plants that have been challenging and love it when you make a successful rescue. Good luck on decluttering. How about finding an open space and place the plants there instead of throwing them in the trash. A great deal of them may survive.
Thank you. Finding the open space and planting them elsewhere would take so much time off me, which I badly need to care for existing plants. A very long rescue and care video is coming up next week
"It's irrelevant to compare our problems. We all have different journeys...different challenges." Thank you for reaching out to many of us with your insights. I'm starting to create a garden retreat at home because it brings me peace and joy. (And because I finally have a home to do it.) I understand the stress because I freak out when I discover a very dry plant or I struggle with a declining plant. Then there's always the lack of time. I've had to simplify out of necessity. Since I only want to go through all the plants once a week to water, I'm experimenting with simple self-watering systems (like wicks, watering stakes, the right medium and pot size, the right amount of water to give, and grouping some plants in the same pot to absorb excess water and somehow take care of each other.) The goal is watering on a weekend, and the rest of the time, just admiring the plants and catching the few that need tweaking to be on the same watering schedule. I may have to group the needy plants together so I only need to go to a few places twice a week. I don't have time for a humidifier, so for the ones with browning tips, I use simple means like grouping many plants together or using wet sphagnum moss for their increased surface area to give off humidity. Most plants have adapted to me, so long as they get bright light. Plants can adapt. They may seem to decline at first, but with patience and new leaves, plants can surprise you! Regarding hoarding and trying to let go, I get it. I try to remind myself to view gardening as a joyful experience rather than possessing something. Like any thrilling journey we experience, moving on is a natural process and there is more to experience. And we can even gift the joy to others. When there's too much, "you miss out on new leaf growth, new flower, new blooms. You even miss out on their death as well." Wow. Something about that last sentence really struck me. I think it reminds me of experiences with the loss of pets. So wonderful to hear you talk.
Thanks for the share and congrats on that home! Im trying to change my mindset so as I dont feel like possesing everything, instead enjoy the process and experience.
Hi Sean, I missed this video when you published it. It is a great one. I totally relate. Though, let's be positive about propagation. Curiosity and understanding is driving me as well to propagate all the time. Loving learning new things seams important to me. You share so much with us, so thank you ! 🌱🪴🌴
Last night I was at my garden and was devastated that my older plants weren't doing good anymore after holding up for years of neglect and underwatering because I had a baby and priorities changes. And to see them piling up at the side, my unhealthy ones and empty pots of disheveled plants really took a toll on me. All I could do was just sigh knowing full well how much time and money I've invested on them only for me to kill them at some point. :( But watching your video now helped me realize that we're not perfect and we got no superpowers to juggle 100 things in our lives with full attention and care and knowing full well how great you are Sean with plants and yet you also have your own handful of struggles is kind of reassuring that I'm still doing good. And it's normal to have this and that issues in the garden. And I agree with you 100% that we must focus on plants that spark joy instead of spreading ourselves thin trying to resurrect even those we'd even forget exist and now that plants are getting cheaper that I was able to score some that I once just dreamt about guess i must focus on them more and nurture them because at this point, they really makes me happy despite a portion of my garden dying (good thing tho they are common plants lol huhu). Thank you so much Sean for being you. 💚
if I can make some recommendation, you can consider taking top cuttings and start over 😀. Rehabbing/rescuing plants can be very interesting, but keep in mind many of these will not make it and its ok to let them go too.
You are my male Asian doppelganger. The way you speak of your habits, feelings and experiences is very similar to how my brain works. I enjoy your honesty, humility and empathy. Your channel brings me joy and makes me feel less alone.
First video I watched on your channel. Wow those are really a lot of plants. It will be a full time job taking care of those. I am just a average plant person and also had a time I felt I needed to downsize. But after 2~3 years, interestingly, now I am upsizing again. There comes a moment when you get bored with your plants with so many identical propagated plants. So I agree with you that focusing on 1~2 of a certain plant is the way to go. When you get bored, you downsize. I am upsizing now because I got interested in new type of plants. And it feels good again having more plants. I also limit my plant watering time to 1~2 hours per week. If it exceeds that, it's time to downsize again. So when I buy a new plant, I buy those that need infrequent watering.
Setting time limit and boundary with plant care is such a great idea. I must admit I have set no such boundaries which was why I got overwhelmed very quickly.
I'm so proud of you! While watching your video, I could really empathize with what you were saying. Realizing and actually doing the purge. It felt like therapy regarding the whole process of how honest you finally were with yourself making each decision. It was either a quick yes or no, giving a little goodbye, and then onto the next one. You've honestly inspired me to realize I have a few too many right now as well. Looks like I need to do a little self-talk purge as well!
Thank you for your honesty and openness during this chapter of your journey. I’m on a similar journey and it’s so helpful to hear how other people are handling this chapter in their own lives. Best of luck as you journey forward. 🥰
You're not the only one. A lot of people including me I started collecting plants and my mom is obsessed as well. It's a therapeutic outlet we can enjoy should be stress free . Plants and gardening should be therapeutic. But balance it as well because we can get addicted to it
1) Struggling common plants - toss. If you miss them just rebuy a healthy one 2) Water propagations - pot up with mother plant 3) Duplicates - keep the healthier one and toss the other. If they all look good just pot up together. If mother plant is struggling just toss and keep the propagations 4) Unknown/unnamed plants - toss Also let a section dry out, then water and fertilize everything together. Until all sections have been fertilized You can do it!! I'm sure you're gonna feel so relieved when it's all done. For the plants that have low value but are healthy and that you don't want anymore, put them in a box/on a table with a "free plants" sign. I did it and everything was gone within a few hours. Feels so good!
I just realized this about myself this last year. I have boxes of things nice thing's but thing's I don't use. I've sold something's on Marketplace and given other's to Goodwill. I'm still not done and will be getting rid of more stuff. I feel like it just clutter's my mind and it drives me crazy. I had to just stop buying plants and enjoy the one's I have. I've thrown unhealthy plants and given the one's I don't enjoy away. At one time I was homeless it was such a scary time but I learned a lot from that. Now I feel blessed if I have a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
I have anxiety and at first I had 60 plants thinking it was good. I realized I could not stand not knowing which plant had pests and I wasnt really enjoying and celebrating any plant in particular. I eventually got rid of all of them and went down to one type and now it is flourishing. Recently I decided it was time to bring in a new member of the plant family, and I told myself not to buy just to buy. I think I made the best choice
Don’t feel you ever have to apologize for venting. Moving is very stressful. I had to move my girls several times when they were growing up. So much packing and purging and stressing over what to keep, what not, without regret. And if you need to purge plants, I’m here for you. Literally. Like I’ll take some 😂
Very brave of you to admit that and I share some of your problems but with me, it's all about caring and nurturing. I'm prone to bring home the mealy bugged, underwatered neglected ones. And no, I don't have a bug problem. I do the 40 day isolation thing then introduce them. I'm a mini Mother Nature that just wants to save them all.
First time watching your channel and have to say that you are amazing, you have a new subscriber here. You should be proud you have made that first step, which is always the hardest, you have many people admiring what you are doing and no doubt you will be helping others to make that first step as well. 😊
Great video and love you lots for doing this! Hope you start feeling better asap and for me personally everytime I purge plants its like a weight off my shoulders and makes me appreciate my other plants exponentially more! Happy growing my friend!!
Also I always have a free pile of plants outside my door for neighbors to pick through if they want and seeing them slowly disappear brings me as much joy as getting new ones :)
My mother didn't really liked that I was buying, borrowing, swapping, new and new plants. She wanted me out of her house because my plants were taking lots of space. After I got married I took them all with me. I had to return back to my mom's because of my new job I again brought all of those back. Then I used to show her the new growth, new pups, different types of plants, their characteristics, their behavior, how they are not different from us, and now she doesn't wants to part with them, she has all the mother plants and I have all the pups, but the problem is, the extra pups that we have, she is not ready to give them away as well. They are like their children now. This is the biggest reason I gave away my fish tank. She gets very possessive. And if any plant or fish dies, she doesn't even eat for days... this scares me
Wonderful story!!! It brings joy when someone adopts the love we have for plants! I am trying to do this with my adult children! I started them off with plants like snake plants that I told them to water when you pay your rent. I bought my daughter a peace lily and she is amazed with how dramatic they are and then they comeback. She likes it cause she feels it communicates with her…. This is how it starts.
Happy that you are honoring your need to purge some plants, Sean! At some point, we pass the point of plants bringing us joy and peacefulness. It's not worth it when they become a burden.🌴 And best wishes for your home renovations! 🏠
Hello from Canada 🇨🇦! I believe your fern is an Asplenium bulbiferum or Hen and Chicks fern. I have had one for many years and I regularly pick the small ‘chicks’ of of the mother fern and plant them to begin new plants which I give away. I love your videos and learn so much from them….thank you.
I woke up to your channel.Your voice is so wonderful.My middle name is Hoarding.I love to give as well.I hoard pets-I call it my farm.Im going to try and not hoard plants.I now have 17 plants, I sold 3.I won't duplicate unless I'm keeping 1 to sell to finance my plant hobby.
I just watched this for like the 10th time (this and your plant styling inside and out are two of my fave videos of yours) and it inspired me to purge three more plants that were on the struggle bus!!!! 😂😂😂 Thank you! (again)
There’s so much happening to our planet right now, to us, we’ve been ravaged with wildfires and drought here in Canada so it’s everywhere you go, different issues. And people going through all their struggles are getting meaner. Instead of coming together we’re separating and getting at each others throats. Praying for you and for anyone going through todays struggles. ❤ I have your curiosity and interest in learning new things too, you’re speaking my language, my overwatering slowed when I got more plants too, I’m realizing now, after a spider mite infestation, that I have as many plants as I can handle now. If I buy a new plant, I’ll try to give /sell another away.
Thank you for sharing this, I’m concerned with climate change and the geopolitical/social issues too. Sometimes Im not confident that humanity will pull through. I have been giving away plants and letting go of ones thats not bringing me joy too 😀
Thank you Sean, You made me start de-cluttering and water my plants. They were so dry. It is so hard to throw things away. Great start. I wish you was my neighbour.
Thank you for this video. I can very much relate to it - I have very similar approach to plants like you and I have to keep stopping myself, although it is difficult at times. It is very useful reflection for all of us - it is very easy to fall into it. It is a relief to let go and feels good to give things away to others ... I do hope that you will be happier now :-)
I’ve been going through this too. I was so stressed about things that used to bring me such joy!! Still in the process of downsizing since I am trying to sell them but I’ve made a lot of progress! Good luck with your mission!
I have a one bedroom apartment and I have 110 potted plants and 16 air plants. I just love them and they are good for your place and I feel so blessed to have them. They make me happy lol
Hi Sean, I really enjoyed watching this video. I just went thru the whole decluttering journey as well. It was very hard and overwhelming, I am still trying to figure out what I need and what I don’t need! I know there’s still stuff that I can depart with but then I retracted and kept stuff that I probably don’t need and I started stressing my self out by thinking that I might need that item one day? It’s so hard. Watching you’re video just made me feel somewhat normal knowing that I am not the only one going thru the same situation. Thank you for sharing youre own personal experiences and making meaningful content. It was a blessing 😊 Take care
this is a great video shaun! I have been having this kind of problem too, and i am only a student! Plant Hoarding has been a big major problem! My mother even hates me for it! It has been really really difficult to manage myself because i am a maximalist and at the same time i confess that one of my UNhealthy coping mechanism is shopping.. and that collided with my hobby with plants which is so difficult for me to manage because these 2 are one of my sources of happiness… its comforting that i am not alone in this struggle
@@onlyplants i agree but its really difficult to let go of the things we are quite very attached to… however i believe we both, all of us who are going through it, can get past through this struggle! 💪
Sean don’t feel bad we all do the same hoarding plant I am trying to put then in one pot so I have more space in my house is okay because they make me happy
Oh boy,can I relate! 🤦🏻♀️ And yes about gifted plants,it’s so hard to keep the ones I don’t particularly like! I have stories about most plants in my yard house from last 20 years,at least 10 friends and family that have passes away and I have a plant/bush/tree around the house! My 35 year old son passed away unexpectedly 2 years ago,I have his Kafir Lime tree,as he was the best cook in Asian cuisine! I had a brass plague made to go under his tree! 💔💔 Natalie
Wowww… these plants are heirloom. Sorry to hear about your son. Kafir lime leaves are great in Thai cooking. Some Indonesian dishes use them too. He would be so pleased that you kept the plant in his memory. 🙏🏽
Amazing video and I gotta say, in the moment I always hate that "well that's life" sort of comment you get when you find yourself complaining about personal problems, but it's the truth. It is life and at the end of the day, it's stuff we're smart enough and resourceful enough to get through.
Yeah I have about 30 orchids, 150 succulents, and about 75 other miscellaneous ones. It's a lot!! Maybe I should downsize. But I like them. And I live in the coldest state so I need something to bring joy all winter
I got you. I'm also at this peak. Re-thinking for growing a few plants only now. Me greedy? Yep, we need to start focusing on what important for us right now. With this addiction, we lose the art of planting, which you need to be patient and solving idea when they have an issue. Keep doing what you do Sean! Just dont forget the password to this channel 😆
Hi Sean, I hope you are able to continue this journey to a more positive relationship with your plants. Since you asked in the first section, here are some things I try to keep in mind to hold my plant hoarding tendencies at bay. -Only take cuttings with a *specific* purpose in mind. “For swap” is not enough; know what plant you want to swap each cutting for and what state it will need to be in in order to swap. “To fill out the pot” is also okay but then there is no reason to be putting each cutting in its own pot, just put them all in one and when they are established enough to go in with mom, combine them. -Buy plants only when I have a specific location in mind in the house for that plant. If coveting a new species, make space in your home for it before you buy it. That gives you time to also be sure it is what you want and it has a place it will thrive in your home -Now that plants are back to hobby and not a business, remember that you recoup more money selling cuttings for a little less than you wish you could v. If they die from neglect in your care -consider swapping plants (especially more common ones) for materials like pots or even non-plant things you need or want to give to charity. Downsizing plant care wise, but still getting things in return
I think I'm too picky to be a hoarder, but these are all good tips, I usually see if there is any selling interest in cuttings first, if it would have any value for anyone on Facebook, etc, and then I go the swap route and will even give stuff away at swaps because not much at swaps ever interests me and I don't want to take the stuff I took back home, I want them to go to new homes.
This is so good! Especially the last. I forgot to mention pruning too… I have the habit of propagating every tip cutting that I prune and I should instead just let them go. All landscapers discard their pruned materials.
I started a notebook with all my Hoyas in it. Once I’m done I’ll cataloged my aroids. That way I don’t get duplicates and when I propagate them I add that to the notebook and when its ready I pot them together
Whoaaaa thats a good habit. It works on a lot of people… diaries and journals help too. But personally I find them to be additional tasks to have to do… and hence skip on it entirely 😅
I started by taking it with me when I water and now when I order new plants I can look at it and see if it’s a duplicate also I have it in alphabetical order with space in between for any special care requirements
I loved this.although I cannot relate strongly, ( I have only about 40 plants and I love all of them n do not feel urge to add more),I do understand what you have and are thinking. You will feel better as you overcome. Great job!
Oh you so remind me of me. I want to try to save everything. I have MANY proportions lying around. My areas are not always neat and clean. And sometimes a dead plant that didn't make it lying around. I have so much it's difficult to keep up. But I love it. I'm pretty much obsessed with it. Oh, and did I mention I work in a garden center which is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house 😂😂. I really enjoyed this video. I also loved some of your comments like the plant that was "on the struggle bus 😂😂". Made me lol. Keep up the good work.🌱🌱
I wish I'd read this earlier. I had too many plants, was not in control of them and was stressed out looking after them. I've stopped buying new plants for months now to focus on those left. All the best.
I'm a new plant mom & I would of had so much fun picking through your collection👀 & I would have took all the plants that you didn't want🥴 so many of the plants that you threw away are on my wishlist🥺
No matter what anyone says - please don't second guess yourself and the decisions you're making. You do you! Having the self-awareness to recognize the steps you need to take to improve your life and well being is empowering. So do what you need to do, and don't look back. 🙂
When I moved, I didn't realize how much stuff I had. I've donated bags and bags of stuff. I actually had a pick up today. My 4th batch of donations. Not including a drop off I did myself. I still want to let go of more. I threw out a lot of stuff too. It's freeing.
Most people watch RUclips on mobile devices and 1080p is more than sufficient quality for filming. If you have a plant you are having a hard time giving up take photos and make a separate Instagram or personal photo album where you can post the photos and visit them. Also give away difficult plants and just let them know it’s difficult. Set expectations. Give away 2 plants to the same person. One really easy and one difficult and then even if they lose the difficult one they’ll still have something for confidence. ❤❤
Thank youu. Some people send me photos of them watching on the Tv so I guess they are more HD. Feels like we are upgrading our devices quickly and it might be helpful to make the switch now rather than later 😀
I'm starting to do the same thing I'm not going to try and save something that looks like it's going to take all my time and energy. I also been buying a lot of hoyas lately they seem to be easier to take care of because you don't have to order them so often. I love your video Sean congratulations on your new move to your house
You have a lot of plants sean! You should keep the ones that really brings you joy and just concentrate on them, the rest get rid of them and make room for the new just make it easy for your self sean. 😊
I'm also ADHD inattentive type, and I hoard plants. The diagnosis came last year when I started getting very overwhelmed, the impulsivity (shopping addiction), lack of focus (almost burning down my house multiple times), forgetfulness and much more came to a tipping point and I became frozen. The realization alone has become very freeing, but after 47 years of dealing with it on my own, I've developed some bad coping mechanisms which have been hard to let go of, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and putting myself last, to name a few. It has taken a toll, if you have ADHD you know what I'm talking about. I think I was able to manage my ADHD for a while as I didn't have many responsibilities, but as a husband, kid, and hormones came it became harder and harder, as with ADHD the more you have to juggle the harder it becomes. I need meds to help me, it makes my relationships better, my focus better (for safety), and helps my impulsivity. I seem to be drawn to RUclipsrs that also have ADHD and wondered especially in the last few videos if you might be as well. Your hyperfocus on plants makes you super knowledgeable and when we ADHDers put our minds into something we can do amazing things and you're no exception. Thank you for your wonderful content!
Interesting share. I tend to be very people-pleasing too. But yes I am constantly learning things and thrive in that. I have difficulty repeating the same tasks. Most people in asia dont believe in ADHD… thinks its a western thing… but I definitely experience it.
@@onlyplants, ADHD shows no boundaries and can affect people of all races. There have been brain scans on people with ADHD, that show our brains are wired differently. It shows how we can hyperfocus but struggle with focus, executive dysfunction, impulsivity, emotional regulation, completing tasks, and so on. Just so I'm clear a brain scan doesn't confirm an ADHD diagnosis (yet), an interview with someone that specializes in ADHD is still the best way, at least here in Canada. I'm part Asian so I know what you're talking about, for him, it's like if you put your mind to it you can do it. Well, I wish it could be that simple, I tell my brain to do things all the time but it doesn't always cooperate, it physically can't.
❤️ I am now becoming self aware of this. I cant believe I led the last 4 years oblivion to how much my collection grew beyond my ability to care for them.
I cannot stop crying watching this video. This is why you are
" LOVED INTERNATIONALLY ". You share your bad experiences, and thoughts, to help us grow from them , and we can all learn and overcome them together, from You ....the
" BEST TEACHER EVER " 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 " THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU "
💨🙏
Whoaaa thank you ❤️❤️
I agree 💯 Natalie Australia 💚
Hear, hear!
Thank you for highlighting the issues in Iran and other places in the world. Now is the time more than ever to be praying for one another and using your platform to spread peace and love. Thank you for the video!
Thank you, Im happy to have this platform to spread positive messages. I hope it all goes well. 2022 was a tough year for many
@@onlyplants 🌎✌🏽💚
A saying that always hits home for me is : There will always be someone who has it worse than you, but don’t minimize your own struggles and compare. Acknowledge that your personal struggles are hard. You can empathize with others and still have empathy for your hardships.
Thank you for your honesty and for being humble. 💕
Thank you
“ Too much effort to increase our happiness transforms it into misery. “ Jean Jacques Rousseau.
“ When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning , they distract themselves with pleasures. “ Victor Frankl.
“ I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires , rather than in attempting to satisfy them. “ John Stuart Mill.
That last quote is very similar to buddhist philosophy. Not easy to live by but its actually true.
100%. I always say that less is more with plants. Every plant you have should be grown well- if it’s not, you have too many plants. Plants are not acquisitions- they are living things that need love and focused attention. Thanks for speaking on this!
That is so beautifully said, and what I (and many) needed to hear 🥹
omg. As somebody with about 1000 plants currently that stress the hell out of me, this video really hit home. Thank you so much for sharing. 😩❤️
I have not counted my plants.. maybe I should counting them...?😁
Haha counting them can be stressful so maybe no need to 😅
🙏🏽😀
@@onlyplants I guess you are right.. if there's ljonplacenfor them in my garden anymore, I should sell them or give them away... 😊
Oh, dear. I got stressed just from reading that you have 1000 plants! I stopped between 40-45, and I am more than satisfied. And I do not have any "rare" plants. I tried a Calathea last year and took that thing back to the garden center three days later! LOL!
I just want to focus on caring for these and allowing them to care for me. I know what my brain handle, so I am good! God bless you, honey. Phew!🌴🧡
THIS is the video where I subscribe! Giving selflessly to others who may be in need is ALWAYS a beautiful thing and feeling! Especially, when you have a surplus or the resources! I like people who are for others. Great job!
Thank you 🙏🏽😀
@@onlyplants Most welcome. Honored for the reply! 😃
I know what you mean, I’ve done a lot of propagation and now that everyone are back to the office not many people are buying plants. I also stopped buying plants and concentrate on my existing one. My aim is to grow them big and lush, I also think about where I can put them in my space. I realised that I’m not good with calathea so not buying them anymore even though they are so beautiful. Well done Sean you’ll get there.
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I just thought about that the other day :/ Calathea are super pretty, but take up so much space 😭
Good on you for being honest and open about this. I went through the same thing several years back. over collected and lost plants so ended up donating a lot, and now just stick to the ones I truly love, in moderation.
The plant hobby can get very expensive, especially when you get bombarded with new "it/must get" plants. It's important to set your limits mentally and emotionally. It's a hobby, it should be enjoyable without being detrimental to your mental, emotional and financial health.
Yesss I think we all went a bit overboard over covid. But also its easy to lose ourselves to impulse
Displaying plants such that u can appreciate their beauty is an art.
❤️
I absolutely love your content and your personality. Like plants, I feel joy watching your videos ❤
😀 thank you
Focusing on a little collection and watch them grow is one of my biggest joy
Yeahhh I was much happier when my collection was smaller
HAHAHAHAAA!!! OhMyGoodness! "Why are these pillows leaning forward?" As you push one back into place, the other one falls forward. I had to pause the vid because it was so funny and I laughed so hard that tears came into my eyes.
As for ADD, it was never "real" in my generation and probably under-diagnosed in yours. Good that you recognize it and are learning how to deal with it. I've found that it's a lifelong process with incremental improvements which add up over time, so your life becomes easier and you feel more enriched.
As for gifts, it's the thought that counts. In Japan, there's an old saying, "The giver should be the one who is grateful when the receiver accepts a gift." A good way to show appreciation for a gifts that you don't wish to keep is to donate them to charity.
In closing, your new house is AWESOME, the neighborhood sounds wonderful, love the plants, and THANK YOU for making this video!
Thank youuu. That is such a beautiful saying and I find it to be true most of the time 😀
Thanks for your honesty and allowing us to think about how we can best care for our plants.
It can be too much some times 😌 its ok to let go of some!
So many plant channels, especially US based, where I live, promote shopping, collecting, buying. They don’t show how to focus and channel the energy into being selective, into growing the plants you have into large and lush specimens.
Consumerism, buying something it is a easy way, if you have money, to compensate what is lacking in your life.
Sometimes owning too much gives a sense of security but prevents personal change, growth, it keeps us stuck.
This is a refreshing video. I tend to want to have backups and duplicates of things and gear I need.
Anyway I will sell some Philodendron melanochrisum, which I don’t love as much as I thought I would after watching too many videos.
Growing a common Philodendron micans to mature form would have been better than buying 3 melanochrysum imports.
But plants grow slower than our desires to create and possess. So we buy more in between
That last sentence made my arm hair stand, its like a beautiful poem. You have a way with words.
You are more blessed that you, I, we can still enjoy a cup of coffee, admire your collection plants 🪴 and watch you! My advice: LOL, don't let your emotion control you, I have learned myself to control my emotion as well. Inhale.... Exhale... and don't forget to smile 😊... you're plants are beautiful 😘
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Love the way you share us your vulnerable side we all have fair share of it. So true and genuine❤️🙏.We Appreciate you more Sean! . All the best.
🙏🏽🙏🏽😀
Your honesty is appreciated. Thank you for articulating so well, what so many of us are experiencing. This video has given me much to reflect on. Very important messaging here.
🙏🏽 happy to hear Im not alone. Ive been quite isolated the last few months with moving and rennovation. Your comments have been the most encouraging
I truly loved this video, and will probably watch it at least twice. I was so very moved by your gift of clothes to the workers in your home. I am diligent each day to make sure my gratitude out ways my worries. So glad you are making time for self reflection & self care as well. I know the world is crazy, especially right now, but we must concentrate on what we can do in our town & state. Kindness creates ripples on our planet. I know we are a world a part, but I always look forward to your thoughts, especially on sustainability. I will pray for the women in Iran. I have great compassion for all who struggle in their quest for freedom & rights. Stay well Sean.
Whoaaa thank you for the positive encouragement. “Kindness creates ripples on our planet” is a powerful sentence. It is contageous and more than ever, mankind needs to be more kind to one another.
Omg! Listening to you talk yourself through your thoughts is identical to the conversations I have with myself! I think we’re both in good company. Keep up the good work!
Haha I have a crazy inner voice 😅
@@onlyplants ha! You’re here! That’s incredible for you to reply to your followers. Maybe you have some AI that does it for you. Lol
But, since we’re on the topic of hoarding, I’ll tell you a story…. Two years ago, I did a round off back handspring and seriously jacked up my body. I have had four surgeries to “fix” my injuries and needless to say, can no longer do the flips and tricks that I used to do.
I’ve been non weight bearing for three months last time and will be NWB for another two months, then in a boot for a month, this go around. My foot was fused, but the fusion didn’t take, so after recently finding out I’ve been walking on a broken foot all this time, we fixed it again last week. 🤪
So the point of my story IS…..I’ve become addicted to PLANTS. I can watch RUclips for hours upon hours, learning and being inspired by you and a few of my other favorite planty people. I love Summer Rayne Oaks, Harli G, Sheffield Made Plants, Plantarina, The Jungle Haven; to name a few.
After experiencing some very sad days, debilitating pain and depression, I’ve found joy and happiness in caring for and nurturing plants.
I’m 50+ years old, a nurse (a healer by nature), and WAS very active. I believe in putting your bare feet on the earth and connecting with nature is the best form of medicine!
Anyway, big, huge thank you, for all you do. Balance in all things, they say: clutter/impulsive collecting, is an outward expression of inner chaos.
Take care of you in the way you need!
PS wish you lived closer, we could go plant shopping together! 😬
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings... it's hitting home with many of us. I ordered several plants this week but I'm done! Nothing relaxes me more than my plants but I don't want to be overwhelmed by them. You convinced me to let go of some too.
🙏🏽🙏🏽😀
You are off to a good start, Sean. Your awareness of your plant hoarding problem and wanting to be relieved of the anxiety it causes will motivate you to a healthier approach to buying and keeping plants. Sometimes we just have to have something at a given moment and give in and other times we can reason with ourselves. I now prefer to have few plants that are grown well, grown to their normal size and spaced to be visually appreciated. Yours in ADD.
Thank you 🙏🏽
Lots of opportunity for you to find these plants and I bet you will very soon!
I love your channel, your honesty and your openness. More success to you!
I had 10 or so well-loved plants for years before COVID. It quickly ballooned to 100+ during the pandemic.
I was doing fine for a while but I eventually became stressed out and unhappy. I live in small apartment in New Jersey. it's hard to maintain that many plants in that situation.
The catalog I prepared helped me realize that 40+ of them were either thrown away (died) or given away. Now, I'm down to 65 plants. Luckily, none of them are expensive as I always made sure I will not spend more than $25/plant or cutting. I'm cheapo!
I still want to bring down to 30 or lower.
So purging continues on until I'm back to my normal self.
Yayeeee. I hope we can reach sustainable levels soon 😀
Love that you took a moment to speak your mind on these horrible issues plaguing the world. You’re a great human being. It makes me love your channel that much more. ❤
🙏🏽🙏🏽 thank you
Thank you for all the energy, time, knowledge, and thoughtfulness you have shared. I am so proud and joyful that you are taking this journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. You have a very hard road a head of you but I am confident that you will be supported, guided, and deeply cared about as you travel on the road to being healthy. You change the world for the better so now it's time for the world to help you also change for the better. Peace and strength I wish for you.
Thank you ❤️❤️
Thank you for this honest self-reflection. I too struggled with letting go of plants and hoarding stuff but once I took that first step in de-cluttering and making my situation manageable so that I felt joy again rather than stress and depression, then I knew I had made the right choice. And having a balanced view of 'things' is a great way of allowing yourself to use your time and energy on what matters most, and that is....your mental & physical health, your family and your friends. 🙏😊
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
You do a beautiful work with your videos I really enjoy watching your videos and millions of people too, I believe you are a great person don’t pay attention of the negative people and comments . I think your new home is going to look amazing wen finished. Bravo amigo . Keep it up.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I really appreciate this video. It's long and I like the fact that I can just get back to it and continue watching. This makes me want to declutter too!
😀😀
Several months ago you replied to my comment about a possibility overwatered peperomia. Thanks to your advice it is doing great. I also managed to take care of my sisters plants without killing them, so thanks!
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I want you to know that I appreciate very much your video. I have been purging for many years. When I get rid of things I feel so much better.
Thank you. Im quite new with the purging, and its been a revelation and a big sense of release. Thanks for the share!
🤔 *me thinking how long it would take to pack to move to Indonesia and become one of Sean's neighbors to get free plants and dig around in his trash for his throwaways*
But on a more serious note congrats on taking the step to purge things that don't bring you joy. I'm in a similar place with my collection (and house in general) and I cannot wait to only own things I actually like and care about. Getting rid of things and reducing clutter has been relieving so much stress from my life! I hope it does for you as well 😊
Lol. Come! Could use a neighbour with sense of humor. It does feel good to have a fresh start and also control some impulses
I wish you luck 🍀 on downsizing. As I watched the video I realize that you may be a "hoarder" but when you speak about some of the plants there is so much joy and excitement in your voice. I also feel that you love plants that have been challenging and love it when you make a successful rescue. Good luck on decluttering.
How about finding an open space and place the plants there instead of throwing them in the trash. A great deal of them may survive.
Thank you. Finding the open space and planting them elsewhere would take so much time off me, which I badly need to care for existing plants. A very long rescue and care video is coming up next week
"It's irrelevant to compare our problems. We all have different journeys...different challenges."
Thank you for reaching out to many of us with your insights.
I'm starting to create a garden retreat at home because it brings me peace and joy. (And because I finally have a home to do it.) I understand the stress because I freak out when I discover a very dry plant or I struggle with a declining plant. Then there's always the lack of time.
I've had to simplify out of necessity. Since I only want to go through all the plants once a week to water, I'm experimenting with simple self-watering systems (like wicks, watering stakes, the right medium and pot size, the right amount of water to give, and grouping some plants in the same pot to absorb excess water and somehow take care of each other.) The goal is watering on a weekend, and the rest of the time, just admiring the plants and catching the few that need tweaking to be on the same watering schedule. I may have to group the needy plants together so I only need to go to a few places twice a week.
I don't have time for a humidifier, so for the ones with browning tips, I use simple means like grouping many plants together or using wet sphagnum moss for their increased surface area to give off humidity. Most plants have adapted to me, so long as they get bright light. Plants can adapt. They may seem to decline at first, but with patience and new leaves, plants can surprise you!
Regarding hoarding and trying to let go, I get it. I try to remind myself to view gardening as a joyful experience rather than possessing something. Like any thrilling journey we experience, moving on is a natural process and there is more to experience. And we can even gift the joy to others.
When there's too much, "you miss out on new leaf growth, new flower, new blooms. You even miss out on their death as well." Wow. Something about that last sentence really struck me. I think it reminds me of experiences with the loss of pets. So wonderful to hear you talk.
Thanks for the share and congrats on that home! Im trying to change my mindset so as I dont feel like possesing everything, instead enjoy the process and experience.
Hi Sean, I missed this video when you published it. It is a great one. I totally relate. Though, let's be positive about propagation. Curiosity and understanding is driving me as well to propagate all the time. Loving learning new things seams important to me. You share so much with us, so thank you ! 🌱🪴🌴
Last night I was at my garden and was devastated that my older plants weren't doing good anymore after holding up for years of neglect and underwatering because I had a baby and priorities changes. And to see them piling up at the side, my unhealthy ones and empty pots of disheveled plants really took a toll on me. All I could do was just sigh knowing full well how much time and money I've invested on them only for me to kill them at some point. :( But watching your video now helped me realize that we're not perfect and we got no superpowers to juggle 100 things in our lives with full attention and care and knowing full well how great you are Sean with plants and yet you also have your own handful of struggles is kind of reassuring that I'm still doing good. And it's normal to have this and that issues in the garden. And I agree with you 100% that we must focus on plants that spark joy instead of spreading ourselves thin trying to resurrect even those we'd even forget exist and now that plants are getting cheaper that I was able to score some that I once just dreamt about guess i must focus on them more and nurture them because at this point, they really makes me happy despite a portion of my garden dying (good thing tho they are common plants lol huhu).
Thank you so much Sean for being you. 💚
if I can make some recommendation, you can consider taking top cuttings and start over 😀. Rehabbing/rescuing plants can be very interesting, but keep in mind many of these will not make it and its ok to let them go too.
You are my male Asian doppelganger. The way you speak of your habits, feelings and experiences is very similar to how my brain works. I enjoy your honesty, humility and empathy. Your channel brings me joy and makes me feel less alone.
Haha thank youu. Nice to e-meet you 🙌🏽😬
First video I watched on your channel. Wow those are really a lot of plants. It will be a full time job taking care of those.
I am just a average plant person and also had a time I felt I needed to downsize. But after 2~3 years, interestingly, now I am upsizing again.
There comes a moment when you get bored with your plants with so many identical propagated plants. So I agree with you that focusing on 1~2 of a certain plant is the way to go. When you get bored, you downsize.
I am upsizing now because I got interested in new type of plants. And it feels good again having more plants.
I also limit my plant watering time to 1~2 hours per week. If it exceeds that, it's time to downsize again. So when I buy a new plant, I buy those that need infrequent watering.
Setting time limit and boundary with plant care is such a great idea. I must admit I have set no such boundaries which was why I got overwhelmed very quickly.
I'm so proud of you!
While watching your video, I could really empathize with what you were saying. Realizing and actually doing the purge. It felt like therapy regarding the whole process of how honest you finally were with yourself making each decision. It was either a quick yes or no, giving a little goodbye, and then onto the next one. You've honestly inspired me to realize I have a few too many right now as well. Looks like I need to do a little self-talk purge as well!
Thank you, it was one of the harder videos to film, but somehow relaxing and healing.
And the BEST VIDEO OF ALLL👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you for your honesty and openness during this chapter of your journey. I’m on a similar journey and it’s so helpful to hear how other people are handling this chapter in their own lives. Best of luck as you journey forward. 🥰
Thank youu ❤️❤️
Praying for everyone!!
🙏🏽🙏🏽
You're not the only one. A lot of people including me I started collecting plants and my mom is obsessed as well. It's a therapeutic outlet we can enjoy should be stress free . Plants and gardening should be therapeutic. But balance it as well because we can get addicted to it
Thank you
1) Struggling common plants - toss. If you miss them just rebuy a healthy one
2) Water propagations - pot up with mother plant
3) Duplicates - keep the healthier one and toss the other. If they all look good just pot up together. If mother plant is struggling just toss and keep the propagations
4) Unknown/unnamed plants - toss
Also let a section dry out, then water and fertilize everything together. Until all sections have been fertilized
You can do it!! I'm sure you're gonna feel so relieved when it's all done. For the plants that have low value but are healthy and that you don't want anymore, put them in a box/on a table with a "free plants" sign. I did it and everything was gone within a few hours. Feels so good!
Woooh (1) was so good haha. A bit difficult to do though… at the same time it would feel so amazing.
I just realized this about myself this last year. I have boxes of things nice thing's but thing's I don't use. I've sold something's on Marketplace and given other's to Goodwill. I'm still not done and will be getting rid of more stuff. I feel like it just clutter's my mind and it drives me crazy. I had to just stop buying plants and enjoy the one's I have. I've thrown unhealthy plants and given the one's I don't enjoy away. At one time I was homeless it was such a scary time but I learned a lot from that. Now I feel blessed if I have a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Whoaaa what a story. Glad to hear you are doing better 😀
Wow what a great video. I was feeling your struggles. You give the best instructions on plants. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you ❤️❤️
I have anxiety and at first I had 60 plants thinking it was good. I realized I could not stand not knowing which plant had pests and I wasnt really enjoying and celebrating any plant in particular. I eventually got rid of all of them and went down to one type and now it is flourishing. Recently I decided it was time to bring in a new member of the plant family, and I told myself not to buy just to buy. I think I made the best choice
Ive heard stories of people cleansing and starting over. It sounds quite healing. I wish I can do that 😅
You’re simply a good person❤. Not so common these days.
Thank you ❤️
Don’t feel you ever have to apologize for venting. Moving is very stressful. I had to move my girls several times when they were growing up. So much packing and purging and stressing over what to keep, what not, without regret. And if you need to purge plants, I’m here for you. Literally. Like I’ll take some 😂
Thank you 🥰
Very brave of you to admit that and I share some of your problems but with me, it's all about caring and nurturing. I'm prone to bring home the mealy bugged, underwatered neglected ones. And no, I don't have a bug problem. I do the 40 day isolation thing then introduce them. I'm a mini Mother Nature that just wants to save them all.
I love saving plants too. Maybe some day I should open a plant clinic… monetize this bad habit lol
First time watching your channel and have to say that you are amazing, you have a new subscriber here. You should be proud you have made that first step, which is always the hardest, you have many people admiring what you are doing and no doubt you will be helping others to make that first step as well. 😊
Thank youu 🙏🏽😀
I'm very proud of you Sean! Keep up the good work. 😃 and thank you for being so honest with us.
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
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Great video and love you lots for doing this! Hope you start feeling better asap and for me personally everytime I purge plants its like a weight off my shoulders and makes me appreciate my other plants exponentially more! Happy growing my friend!!
Also I always have a free pile of plants outside my door for neighbors to pick through if they want and seeing them slowly disappear brings me as much joy as getting new ones :)
Ouu yes Im going through what you have. Its a very healing process.
My mother didn't really liked that I was buying, borrowing, swapping, new and new plants. She wanted me out of her house because my plants were taking lots of space. After I got married I took them all with me. I had to return back to my mom's because of my new job I again brought all of those back. Then I used to show her the new growth, new pups, different types of plants, their characteristics, their behavior, how they are not different from us, and now she doesn't wants to part with them, she has all the mother plants and I have all the pups, but the problem is, the extra pups that we have, she is not ready to give them away as well. They are like their children now. This is the biggest reason I gave away my fish tank. She gets very possessive. And if any plant or fish dies, she doesn't even eat for days... this scares me
Wonderful story!!! It brings joy when someone adopts the love we have for plants! I am trying to do this with my adult children! I started them off with plants like snake plants that I told them to water when you pay your rent. I bought my daughter a peace lily and she is amazed with how dramatic they are and then they comeback. She likes it cause she feels it communicates with her…. This is how it starts.
Lol that was cute, maybe your mom and I have very similar personality 😅
Plants teach us so much about being considerate, responsible, and compromising 🥰
Happy that you are honoring your need to purge some plants, Sean! At some point, we pass the point of plants bringing us joy and peacefulness. It's not worth it when they become a burden.🌴 And best wishes for your home renovations! 🏠
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
You have a LOT going on in your head! 😊
So many interesting things to think and chat about. Thank you for sharing!
My head is overwhelming sometimes. 😅 not everyone can handle it
Hello from Canada 🇨🇦!
I believe your fern is an Asplenium bulbiferum or Hen and Chicks fern. I have had one for many years and I regularly pick the small ‘chicks’ of of the mother fern and plant them to begin new plants which I give away.
I love your videos and learn so much from them….thank you.
Thank you! That looks like it might be it! Ive been looking for it for years
I woke up to your channel.Your voice is so wonderful.My middle name is Hoarding.I love to give as well.I hoard pets-I call it my farm.Im going to try and not hoard plants.I now have 17 plants, I sold 3.I won't duplicate unless I'm keeping 1 to sell to finance my plant hobby.
Thanks for the share 🥰🥰
I always love your videos but this one is so inspiring! Thank you for being so honest and willing to put yourself out there to help others.
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I just watched this for like the 10th time (this and your plant styling inside and out are two of my fave videos of yours) and it inspired me to purge three more plants that were on the struggle bus!!!! 😂😂😂 Thank you! (again)
Thank you. Im still coping my hoarding habits and am purging more plants soon to find more balanced joy between life and hobby.
There’s so much happening to our planet right now, to us, we’ve been ravaged with wildfires and drought here in Canada so it’s everywhere you go, different issues. And people going through all their struggles are getting meaner. Instead of coming together we’re separating and getting at each others throats. Praying for you and for anyone going through todays struggles. ❤
I have your curiosity and interest in learning new things too, you’re speaking my language, my overwatering slowed when I got more plants too, I’m realizing now, after a spider mite infestation, that I have as many plants as I can handle now. If I buy a new plant, I’ll try to give /sell another away.
Thank you for sharing this, I’m concerned with climate change and the geopolitical/social issues too. Sometimes Im not confident that humanity will pull through.
I have been giving away plants and letting go of ones thats not bringing me joy too 😀
Thank you Sean,
You made me start de-cluttering and water my plants.
They were so dry.
It is so hard to throw things away. Great start.
I wish you was my neighbour.
😀
Thank you for this video. I can very much relate to it - I have very similar approach to plants like you and I have to keep stopping myself, although it is difficult at times. It is very useful reflection for all of us - it is very easy to fall into it. It is a relief to let go and feels good to give things away to others ... I do hope that you will be happier now :-)
Thank you. Hope you are managing well too. My road to recovery is just starting
I'm so sorry about your home. Praying everything turns around for your good! Keep your head up! 🙏🏽🙏🏽💕💕
Thank you so much ❤️
I’ve been going through this too. I was so stressed about things that used to bring me such joy!! Still in the process of downsizing since I am trying to sell them but I’ve made a lot of progress! Good luck with your mission!
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing, I decided to throw a few plants away the other day. It is so hard!!
Yes it is 🥹 I did give away most of them so that felt good too. But throwing the hopeless ones are very healing experience.
Everything you are saying is resonating with what I’m feeling… thank you for highlighting what a lot of us going through ❤
❤️ hope you are managing well and finding it healing to let go of those that dont bring you joy.
@@onlyplants ♥️
Its a relief to know I don’t have to keep holding on and trying to save every plant ♥️
I have a one bedroom apartment and I have 110 potted plants and 16 air plants. I just love them and they are good for your place and I feel so blessed to have them. They make me happy lol
Whoaaa thats a lot of plants for a bedroom. It must look amazing 😀
@@onlyplants lol no it’s a one bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room etc.
Hi Sean, I really enjoyed watching this video. I just went thru the whole decluttering journey as well. It was very hard and overwhelming, I am still trying to figure out what I need and what I don’t need! I know there’s still stuff that I can depart with but then I retracted and kept stuff that I probably don’t need and I started stressing my self out by thinking that I might need that item one day? It’s so hard. Watching you’re video just made me feel somewhat normal knowing that I am not the only one going thru the same situation. Thank you for sharing youre own personal experiences and making meaningful content. It was a blessing 😊 Take care
Thank you. The comments pouring in surprised me too. I dont feel so alone anymore. 😀
this is a great video shaun! I have been having this kind of problem too, and i am only a student! Plant Hoarding has been a big major problem! My mother even hates me for it! It has been really really difficult to manage myself because i am a maximalist and at the same time i confess that one of my UNhealthy coping mechanism is shopping.. and that collided with my hobby with plants which is so difficult for me to manage because these 2 are one of my sources of happiness… its comforting that i am not alone in this struggle
❤️❤️ my fallout with my dad was for this reason too. I think it would make us better people if we could learn to let go of some things.
@@onlyplants i agree but its really difficult to let go of the things we are quite very attached to… however i believe we both, all of us who are going through it, can get past through this struggle! 💪
Thank you for being so open and honest. 💯‼️ Such a good message! 👏🏽👏🏽💕💕💕
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Sean don’t feel bad we all do the same hoarding plant I am trying to put then in one pot so I have more space in my house is okay because they make me happy
😀🙏🏽
Excited to see your video of styling the carport roof garden 🎉
Yayeee thats next weeks episode
Oh boy,can I relate! 🤦🏻♀️
And yes about gifted plants,it’s so hard to keep the ones I don’t particularly like!
I have stories about most plants in my yard house from last 20 years,at least 10 friends and family that have passes away and I have a plant/bush/tree around the house!
My 35 year old son passed away unexpectedly 2 years ago,I have his Kafir Lime tree,as he was the best cook in Asian cuisine! I had a brass plague made to go under his tree! 💔💔 Natalie
Wowww… these plants are heirloom. Sorry to hear about your son. Kafir lime leaves are great in Thai cooking. Some Indonesian dishes use them too. He would be so pleased that you kept the plant in his memory. 🙏🏽
Amazing video and I gotta say, in the moment I always hate that "well that's life" sort of comment you get when you find yourself complaining about personal problems, but it's the truth. It is life and at the end of the day, it's stuff we're smart enough and resourceful enough to get through.
Thank you for this ❤️
Hope you feel better for the purge. It’s hard at the time but feels really good when done.
Already feel better… I feel like there will be more purge as I film the next episodes of rescue and rehabilitation.
Yeah I have about 30 orchids, 150 succulents, and about 75 other miscellaneous ones. It's a lot!! Maybe I should downsize. But I like them. And I live in the coldest state so I need something to bring joy all winter
Whoaaaa. I cannot imagine how cool
Winter care must look like 😀 succulents require quite minimal care though they are so cool.
I got you. I'm also at this peak. Re-thinking for growing a few plants only now. Me greedy? Yep, we need to start focusing on what important for us right now. With this addiction, we lose the art of planting, which you need to be patient and solving idea when they have an issue. Keep doing what you do Sean! Just dont forget the password to this channel 😆
Thank youu 😀
Hi Sean, I hope you are able to continue this journey to a more positive relationship with your plants. Since you asked in the first section, here are some things I try to keep in mind to hold my plant hoarding tendencies at bay.
-Only take cuttings with a *specific* purpose in mind. “For swap” is not enough; know what plant you want to swap each cutting for and what state it will need to be in in order to swap. “To fill out the pot” is also okay but then there is no reason to be putting each cutting in its own pot, just put them all in one and when they are established enough to go in with mom, combine them.
-Buy plants only when I have a specific location in mind in the house for that plant. If coveting a new species, make space in your home for it before you buy it. That gives you time to also be sure it is what you want and it has a place it will thrive in your home
-Now that plants are back to hobby and not a business, remember that you recoup more money selling cuttings for a little less than you wish you could v. If they die from neglect in your care
-consider swapping plants (especially more common ones) for materials like pots or even non-plant things you need or want to give to charity. Downsizing plant care wise, but still getting things in return
I think I'm too picky to be a hoarder, but these are all good tips, I usually see if there is any selling interest in cuttings first, if it would have any value for anyone on Facebook, etc, and then I go the swap route and will even give stuff away at swaps because not much at swaps ever interests me and I don't want to take the stuff I took back home, I want them to go to new homes.
This is so good! Especially the last. I forgot to mention pruning too… I have the habit of propagating every tip cutting that I prune and I should instead just let them go. All landscapers discard their pruned materials.
I started a notebook with all my Hoyas in it. Once I’m done I’ll cataloged my aroids. That way I don’t get duplicates and when I propagate them I add that to the notebook and when its ready I pot them together
Whoaaaa thats a good habit. It works on a lot of people… diaries and journals help too. But personally I find them to be additional tasks to have to do… and hence skip on it entirely 😅
I started by taking it with me when I water and now when I order new plants I can look at it and see if it’s a duplicate also I have it in alphabetical order with space in between for any special care requirements
Your not getting rid of things your making room for new possibilities and joy
Whoaaa thats a really good way to put it. Should have been the title of the video 😅
I loved this.although I cannot relate strongly, ( I have only about 40 plants and I love all of them n do not feel urge to add more),I do understand what you have and are thinking. You will feel better as you overcome. Great job!
Now thats the kind of self-control I need. But at the same time in my line of work I feel the need to review and experiment with new plants 😅
Oh you so remind me of me. I want to try to save everything. I have MANY proportions lying around. My areas are not always neat and clean. And sometimes a dead plant that didn't make it lying around. I have so much it's difficult to keep up. But I love it. I'm pretty much obsessed with it. Oh, and did I mention I work in a garden center which is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house 😂😂. I really enjoyed this video. I also loved some of your comments like the plant that was "on the struggle bus 😂😂". Made me lol. Keep up the good work.🌱🌱
Not proportions but propagations.
Also I'm sitting here saying DON'T throw that away. It's still alive you can help it yet.
I wish I'd read this earlier. I had too many plants, was not in control of them and was stressed out looking after them. I've stopped buying new plants for months now to focus on those left. All the best.
Thank you. Ive stopped buying too for the same reason. Hope you are coping well too. It feels good to slow down
I'm a new plant mom & I would of had so much fun picking through your collection👀 & I would have took all the plants that you didn't want🥴 so many of the plants that you threw away are on my wishlist🥺
🙈 but they were so hopeless looking 🥹
No matter what anyone says - please don't second guess yourself and the decisions you're making. You do you! Having the self-awareness to recognize the steps you need to take to improve your life and well being is empowering. So do what you need to do, and don't look back. 🙂
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
When I moved, I didn't realize how much stuff I had. I've donated bags and bags of stuff. I actually had a pick up today. My 4th batch of donations. Not including a drop off I did myself. I still want to let go of more. I threw out a lot of stuff too. It's freeing.
Yes Im feeling a huge load off my shoulder
We moved 2200 miles. I gave away a huge amount of plants and other stuff.
Thank you for what you said about the other countries that can not get the message out. God bless you
We all have to speak up for those who cannot fend for themselves. Hope things get better there
謝謝！
Oh my god 谢谢
You could pot up the propagated cuttings ( same plant) together to make a full pot
I do all the time 😀 nearly all plants in Indonesia were sold as 1 strand/vine/branch
I'd love the strawberry shake one!!
Sean please keep doing what you do ❤
Yes of course 😀
@@onlyplants ♥️
Kudos to you Sean ✌️❤️
✌🏻✌🏻
Well done for voicing your support for the women of Iran. Hope to see you at JJ market as i go every Wednesday lol
Im going next month 😀😀
Most people watch RUclips on mobile devices and 1080p is more than sufficient quality for filming.
If you have a plant you are having a hard time giving up take photos and make a separate Instagram or personal photo album where you can post the photos and visit them. Also give away difficult plants and just let them know it’s difficult. Set expectations. Give away 2 plants to the same person. One really easy and one difficult and then even if they lose the difficult one they’ll still have something for confidence. ❤❤
Thank youu. Some people send me photos of them watching on the Tv so I guess they are more HD. Feels like we are upgrading our devices quickly and it might be helpful to make the switch now rather than later 😀
This is really your best video I love it
🙏🏽🙏🏽
I'm starting to do the same thing I'm not going to try and save something that looks like it's going to take all my time and energy. I also been buying a lot of hoyas lately they seem to be easier to take care of because you don't have to order them so often. I love your video Sean congratulations on your new move to your house
Thank youu 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I needed to see this! Definitely have plants I need to let go of.
🙏🏽😀
So all in all you got rid of 2 plants. Great start, Sean :))
Haha I need to try much harderr
You have a lot of plants sean! You should keep the ones that really brings you joy and just concentrate on them, the rest get rid of them and make room for the new just make it easy for your self sean. 😊
Thank youu. Something I have to work in the next weeks/months
I'm also ADHD inattentive type, and I hoard plants. The diagnosis came last year when I started getting very overwhelmed, the impulsivity (shopping addiction), lack of focus (almost burning down my house multiple times), forgetfulness and much more came to a tipping point and I became frozen. The realization alone has become very freeing, but after 47 years of dealing with it on my own, I've developed some bad coping mechanisms which have been hard to let go of, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and putting myself last, to name a few. It has taken a toll, if you have ADHD you know what I'm talking about. I think I was able to manage my ADHD for a while as I didn't have many responsibilities, but as a husband, kid, and hormones came it became harder and harder, as with ADHD the more you have to juggle the harder it becomes. I need meds to help me, it makes my relationships better, my focus better (for safety), and helps my impulsivity. I seem to be drawn to RUclipsrs that also have ADHD and wondered especially in the last few videos if you might be as well. Your hyperfocus on plants makes you super knowledgeable and when we ADHDers put our minds into something we can do amazing things and you're no exception. Thank you for your wonderful content!
Interesting share. I tend to be very people-pleasing too. But yes I am constantly learning things and thrive in that. I have difficulty repeating the same tasks. Most people in asia dont believe in ADHD… thinks its a western thing… but I definitely experience it.
@@onlyplants, ADHD shows no boundaries and can affect people of all races. There have been brain scans on people with ADHD, that show our brains are wired differently. It shows how we can hyperfocus but struggle with focus, executive dysfunction, impulsivity, emotional regulation, completing tasks, and so on. Just so I'm clear a brain scan doesn't confirm an ADHD diagnosis (yet), an interview with someone that specializes in ADHD is still the best way, at least here in Canada. I'm part Asian so I know what you're talking about, for him, it's like if you put your mind to it you can do it. Well, I wish it could be that simple, I tell my brain to do things all the time but it doesn't always cooperate, it physically can't.
Yes that is why I try my best to not get a lot of plants. I don't like to hoard things because to much clutter is no good for energy to flow freely.
❤️ I am now becoming self aware of this. I cant believe I led the last 4 years oblivion to how much my collection grew beyond my ability to care for them.