Lost my mojo

I fear I've lost all my motivation with the gardening. I simply can't be bothered any more. In the back garden, since moving in, I've taken the waste ground that the estate agent was afraid to show us, and have built a nice patio, established a lawn, built a play area for the lad, grown some veg and flowers, and generally turned the wasted space into a garden. Well, about 2/3rds of a garden, I still have a lot more to do.

I'm doing it largely on my own, which I don't mind, but I'm starting to feel like I'm doing it just for me. If I was to choose a way to spend my time that was just for me, I'd spending it going for long walks on the beach instead and just let the garden go.

We all lose our mojo from time to time, so what do you do when you lose your mojo?

 

Maybe you need to take a break from it and go for those long beach walks instead? The season is closing down now anyway and a change is as good as a rest. Besides, maybe, lurking in the back of your mind is the decision to relocate and it is that as much as anything which has had an impact on your mojo? After all, if you are planning on moving in the next 12-24mths, any major work you do in the final 1/3, you won't get to enjoy.

Either that, or, buy yourself a dinosaur and go play with your little lad and view the world through his eyes for a bit.

 

You've achieved a lot and worked hard, you deserve to rest on your laurels for a bit. Why not restrict your gardening to leisurely stroll round with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in your hand for the next few weeks? By springtime you'll have a clearer idea of where your enthusiasm lies.

I must admit that this year I've sometimes seen my garden as a bit of a millstone round my neck - not as a resource for enjoyment but a list of tasks that should have been done weeks ago. I've been enjoying it in this Indian summer, though.

 

I should add that with other hobbies I've lost my mojo after being passionately involved with it for years. It came back in the end.

 

Hiya C1.

I guess most of us will feel like that from time to time. This year has been a stinker, for the veggy growers amongst us. If you look at the 'My Garden' thread I created, you'll see that there was an area that I designated as a 'tropical' bit. All the plants I put in (supposedly hardy) promptly died during the harsh winter. A disappointment which most, if not all will understand. Gardening isn't easy, and I guess that's the lure. It takes effort and commitment to get things how 'one' would like them. There have been times when I haven't gone down the garden for many days, if not weeks, when the bad weather sets in. Sometimes, I just don't want to look at it. However, when the days start lengthening, and the late winter sun starts to warm the earth, I feel uplifted, and the enthusiasm returns

I'd say there's nothing wrong with taking time off, and focusing on something else. We ALL need a break sometimes

I dunno if that helps, it's just my opinion


Cheers...Freddy

 

I can relate to this with my other hobby; specimen fishing, not really had any really bad spells myself but there have been times when I've lost the edge, that real urge to go fishing, but it comes back with time and you feel on top of your game again.

Take a break, don't forget it completely, have the odd hour here and there but try something else like walking etc for a while, you'll know when the time is right to throw yourself back into gardening big time, you just get that 'itch' to go and do it and start thinking about it more.

Don't get down about it, be happy and have fun

 

Agree with taking a break.
If your enthusiasm has wained, then take a step back. It does work. I lost my mojo with cooking, just didn't have the enthusiasm like I normally do, so ended up doing quick things just to fill us up.
Thankfully, got it back again, more so since I gave up the fags!

I did lose my mojo for fishing too, but sadly, didn't get the mojo back. Not because I got bored, quite the opposite, I just didn't have any time to fit it in so its regularity dwindled and I haven't been for about 2 years!!! Even sadder, I live about 200 metres from the sea front now, and still don't have time at the mo, and when I do, I'm too knackered!!

Take a step back C1, and do something different to see if yoU get the mojo back!

 

I used to 'fish', until I discovered Golf

 

Tried golf Freddie, not for me at all! After 2holes, spent the rest of the time just hitting the ball as hard as I could to see how far it went.

 

Must admit, after the lousy summer, and with selling the house, i'm not too interested in the garden at the moment either.

Looked at some bedding plants in the garden centre earlier but thought, whats the point. Next people will either get it together or bulldoze the garden.

I've let the weeds come up, the plan was to keep anything that might be pretty & pull up the rest, so i've now got a garden full of Evening Primrose & Borage, so at least the Bees & Moths are happy.

 

Ahh, but that's just it, it's all about controlling yourself! For me, that's the challenge. Most folks think the same, "Give it a good whack", but it's not as easy as that. Once you've hit a 'good one', you'll know what I mean

 

I think that we all go through these spells on the gardening front. Mine usually comes about this time of year, colder and shorter days! Like everybody says just take a step back walk around it with a cold one maybe think about what you want to do next year. You will get your mojo back clueless I'm sure of it!

 

This is usually when my mojo is at its strongest. Until about now, you have to work around the plants. We're getting into the time when you can see the ground again and get all sorts done. Bare root season is almost here, and of course there's little projects like the extension to the willow den, a new section to prepare ready for the barbie kitchen/morning patio. There's the jungle to build and probably a new greenhouse. All to be done in time for next spring.

 

Don't waste what you've already achieved. As Mum said 'take those breaks and walk the beach'. I got to the stage that all my spare time was spent working in the garden and not actually sitting in it and enjoying it. But your garden can be your own paradise. I would hate to see all my hard work go to waste and once established it can almost take care of it self. When I feel sad about something, working in the garden and caring for the plants etc. can really give me a lift.

 

I find the garden very relaxing right now because i try to keep it looking as summery as poss until the bitter end - so that means no digging up, landscaping projects or chopping down until early November. No need to prick out, pot on or plant out as it's usually best left till Spring. Just a bit of dead-heading, really. Or a bit of light planning of the "dig that up next Spring and plant it next to the ------" variety. Maybe I'll buy some bulbs in a few weeks that'll need a bit of attention, or put in a few sweetpea seeds but after that, closedown till February. It'll be too cold anyway.