It was the 26th day of July 2019. I still remember that day vividly; I went to see a friend and they had this parlor puppy, but for the life of me, I cannot remember a time that I fancied animals of any kind. Like I said to my friend, ‘It’s not that I hate puppies or cats, but we just don’t get along’. As any dog or cat lover, she was startled that I couldn’t stand her baby. “So, what is your thing she asked?” ‘I would like to be a plant mom’, I answered, and that was my propellant.
A few months later, I got a plant from a Twitter vendor; a ZZ plant, but up until that moment, I had never owned or taken care of a plant. I read that water is important for plants; they are to be watered “that’s their food”, and they require sunlight. I named my plant ‘Nifemi'(love me). 6 days after daily watering, precisely with a 5ml bowl of water, it started to change color from green to yellow. I was concerned, but I felt it was the room temperature, and 2 weeks after daily watering of the plant, Nifemi died, and I was heartbroken. ‘I did everything right. I watered the plant’, but the response I got shocked me, ” You were not supposed to water it that much. The plant died from too much watering.”
The question I kept asking myself was why the same thing that was meant to give life to a plant, killed the plant.
In a world where more is equated with better, it is easy to fall into the trap of excess. whether it’s indulging in too much food, spending excessive amounts on screens, or pursuing wealth at all costs. The allure of abundance might be hard to resist. This is why we would be looking at the danger of overindulgence and the ways to find balance.
As the saying goes, too much of anything is bad. excess or abuse of anything can have serious consequences on your physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. Overeating can result in medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, etc. Overspending can lead to debt, financial ruin, etc. Overworking can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and even mental breakdown.
This is why it is important to find the right balance. Here are some ways you can cultivate a balanced lifestyle
1) Practice self-care– Prioritize your well-being. engage in self-care activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul.
2) Practice Mindfulness – Be present in the moment and pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
3) Set boundaries – establish clear boundaries around activities that have the potential to become excessive.
We live in a world, where abundance and excess are often idolized and glorified. This is why you must remind yourself that too much of anything is bad, and if you don’t want to have the case of a dead plant whether in your work, personal, financial, health, or relationship life, then you must learn to cultivate a balanced life and learn to enjoy life’s pleasures in moderation. Let’s strive for balance, as moderation is key.
Ayodele Obayelu
