Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Let’s be honest, admitting you’re a recovering neat freak is like admitting you once wore socks with sandals on purpose.

It’s a social faux pas of epic proportions. But here I am, laying bare my checkered past for the internet to judge, all because of a tiny cactus named Steve.

Yes, Steve.

You see, I wasn’t always the bohemian plant lady I am today.

My apartment used to be a shrine to minimalism. Every surface gleamed , every cushion was meticulously fluffed and dust bunnies were my sworn enemies. But then, Steve entered my life. A gift from a well-meaning friend (bless their heart) – a prickly reminder that some things thrive on a little neglect.

At first, Steve was an unwelcome guest. His pot threatened the sacred symmetry of my coffee table and his soil – oh! the horror of rogue soil particles!

But something unexpected happened. Steve, bless his spiky soul, persevered. He didn’t wilt under my withering gaze or shrivel from my inconsistent watering schedule (read: remembered to water him once a month, maybe).

In fact, he thrived.

And that’s when it hit me.

Maybe, just maybe, a little mess wasn’t the end of the world. Maybe a stray leaf on the floor or a pot that didn’t match the throw pillows wasn’t a sign of impending societal collapse. Maybe, just maybe, there was a certain chaotic charm to a life shared with living, breathing things (even the prickly kind).

So, Steve became the catalyst for a botanical revolution in my apartment. Soon, a trailing pothos named Phil joined the party, followed by a dramatic Monstera nicknamed Monster (shocking, I know). My once sterile space became a jungle oasis, a testament to the messy beauty of life.

Sure, there’s still the occasional rogue leaf tumbleweed and repotting day resembles a scene from a disaster movie. But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My plants have become more than just decorations; they’re companions, tiny reminders to slow down, to embrace the unexpected, and to find beauty in the imperfect.

We need to embrace the mess!

Let a little green chaos into your life.

You might just surprise yourself with what thrives.

And hey, if all else fails, you can always blame it on Steve.