I open my eyes with a thought about my garden.
Instead of my favorite perfume, I spray myself with insect repellent, apply sunscreen, and pull on a wide-brimmed hat. I slip on my rubber boots and step outside with my coffee.
I sink into the delicate aromas of my roses, breathe in the fresh breeze from the cypress trees, and run my fingers along the vines.
I realize: gardening makes me happy! I can’t wait to get my hands dirty, to plant something new, to pull out a weed, to fix the irrigation system.
The Soil’s Secret
There’s a bacterium living in the soil that makes us feel happiness. The more you get your hands dirty, the more you want to do it. Yes, it’s real. It’s called Mycobacterium vaccae. It acts like a natural antidepressant and has anti-inflammatory effects. I’m infected. It’s made me addicted to the mud under my fingernails, it causes my hypnotic gaze at the new rose buds, and apparently, it makes me invent names for the cherry trees.
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Why Gardening Matters
The benefits of gardening far exceed aesthetic pleasure and practicality. Movement triggers neural connections that enhance creativity, reduce the risk of dementia, lower blood pressure, and simply lift our mood. Flowers and plants are a direct outlet for our psyche—cultivators of mindfulness, compassion, and patience.
After all the plastic of modern life and the glowing screens that define my profession as a photographer and marketer, connecting with nature has always been the most luxurious experience for me. I’m not exaggerating at all. If I had to close my eyes and choose where I’d be, I’d choose a meadow, a river, the aroma of forest soil, and the sound of birds.
The Perfect Cycle
It’s so simple to plant something. And suddenly, you’ve created a beginning. Something will be born. You’ll watch it grow, water it, and eventually harvest its fruits. And you’ll thank it. Such a perfect cycle. Such instant satisfaction.
My garden is a friend. I can always visit without an invitation. It’s always happy to see me.
I’m Mara—a European food and travel photographer based in Bulgaria. I document botanical gardens, flower farms, and farmers markets across Europe. Here, I share my visual stories, travel guides, and garden-to-table recipes inspired by the simple joy of growing and creating.