When I first found myself in the nursery, it was being run by David as Eden at Oberon Nursery. I was not in a good space at this time, could not really be around people and found myself bursting into tears becoming overwhelmed at the smallest of things. I found myself just wandering around in the nursery, picking the weeds out of the pots and then David called me over and offered me some Chinese dumplings and a seat. We got chatting, I told him the plants needed some attention and he agreed, he immediately said he wasn’t really a plant person. I said I would come in an help him out for a few hours here and there. He offered to pay me, but I couldn’t make a committment to anything at this time so we ended up with an exchange, we helped each other out. I could come in whenever it suited me and just potter around fixing up plants around the nursery or I could hide out the back re potting and avoiding people, if I needed to leave, I left. There was no pressure and it made me feel that I was in a safe space.
I used to joke that I was being paid with Chinese dumplings and massage. It was partially true, I did get fresh dumplings and had some of the best massage, totally relaxing my tense anxious body. But I got so much more. I had a place to go to, to get out of my house and outside, slowly moving around people again. I had a place I could go to chat and mingle with people or a place to just sit and be quiet, no pressure.
So when I got the opportunity to take over the Nursery as a new owner, I knew that I wanted to create that safe space, I had been lucky enough to find myself in, for everyone. I have had past collegues pop in and help out whilst i’ve been setting up, they have been getting their little piece of therapy, grounding themselves, hands in the dirt. I’ve had other people from within the community just coming in and immediately feeling calm and at home. I need people to know that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what your relgious or political beliefs are, or which tribe you hailed from, your age, gender, sexual preference, you are welcome here, come chat if you want or just sit and be quiet. Enjoy the space and feel safe.
(I am still working on a post to explain how I got here – kind of difficult to word things right)
Corner Pocket 