Episode 15: For The Love of Flowers with Kayla Mireles
Practicing Self-Love with Flowers
My self-love journey started with buying myself flowers. I had bought myself a ticket to a concert, and it was my first official self-love date. This was nine years ago. Flowers have always been a way to remind me of an early actionable step towards self-love. Over the years, they appeared in my writing and in my home decor. Recently, they became another creative way to express myself, thanks to Kayla Mireles.
My Relationship with Flowers
I was the kid at recess in elementary school who would pick flowers and give them to her teachers. Save some for mom and press a few in her books. There was always something about the colors and shapes. It wasn’t until I learned about nature offerings from Shaman Jesus that I stopped picking them. Kayla Mireles shares this practice as well in this episode and reminds us to admire, instead of always taking.
I can’t remember the first time I received flowers, but they were always around during a birthday or a holiday. During graduation and after my first play are the two memories that stand out. Both occasions related to something I achieved. Flowers were there as cheerleaders.
Today, I buy seasonal bouquets and arrange them into pots so you can’t see the water (thanks, Meghan). When the petals fall, I put them in a bowl and let them dry out. When it feels right, I give them back to the earth on a walk with Jude. Now, flowers are part of my rituals.
A Lovely Conversation with Kayla Mireles
After following her curiosity, Kayla Mireles found herself learning about flower arranging without any experience. Learning a new skill might open a whole new, lovely life worth living. After a few years, Kayla decided to open up her own flower arranging business called Aura ATX Florals, where she also teaches flower arrangement in the community.
I met Kayla on a self-love date event I went to that had always been on my bucket list: learn how to flower arrange. Classes in your community can be a great way to practice self-love. Our paths crossed at Birdhouse Books & Gifts, where the class was held in partnership. Books and flowers? Sold.
As a fellow creative soul, it took a few mediums and trial-and-error practices for Kayla to find her love for flowers creatively. There was something about working with your hands that made flower arrangement a special, creative self-love practice for Kayla. After taking her workshop, I have to agree.
What Flowers Teach Us
One of the most beautiful things Kayla shared with us this episode was about the life cycle of a flower. They remind her that the end of a cycle can be graceful and giving. It’s in their last moments, the end of their life, that flowers give us their beauty.
They also remind us that there’s beauty in imperfection. No matter where you decide to place them in an arrangement, they’ll still bloom. Flower arrangement is a great way to give yourself a little love through a practice that helps you create something for yourself, or maybe for someone else! Sharing your creativity with others can bring you joy, too.
Life Advice From Kayla
Something that Kayla says in this episode that stuck with me is about stillness. Embracing stillness, admiring beauty. Flowers give their pollen and allow for the cycle of life to continue. How will you continue on this lovely journey for yourself? Maybe a flower can help guide the way.
Our conversation inspired me so much, I went and bought myself some grocery flowers to arrange at home. The creative process of flower arrangement triggered my perfectionism (lol). Kayla reminds us in this episode of how flowers can help with that. I end this episode with a lovely letter about (you guessed it) perfectionism.
Check out episode 15!
I hope this episode encourages you to explore new ways to be creative in your self-love journey. Wherever you find yourself in this journey, know that you’re in the right place. Go buy yourself some flowers, yes. But this time, how about creating something with them? Have fun with it, and remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Creating something beautiful with your hands? Much better.
The find a lovely life podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. Check out episode fifteen!
Listen to the latest episode!
Episode 23 | Self-Love Check-in: Finding Balance In Your Self-Love Journey – Find a Lovely Life: A Self-Love Journey Podcast
- Episode 23 | Self-Love Check-in: Finding Balance In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 22 | How To Work With Your Inner Child In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 21 | How To Work With Summer In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 20 | Self-Love Check-in: Loving Yourself in Transition
- Episode 19 | Self-Love Tool: How To Work With Winter In Your Self-Love Journey
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