Hi,
I’m Padraic, and I’m a garden designer. But my journey to this fulfilling career was anything but straightforward. It was one shaped by the stresses of modern life, an unexpected love for gardening, and the realization of how transformative outdoor spaces can be for our mental health.
How I Became a Garden Designer
I started my working life in an office, spending long days creating landscape surveys on AutoCAD in a room with no windows. I’d arrive in the dark, leave in the dark, and feel the cold, damp monotony of it all seeping into my spirit. It wasn’t just the physical environment—I felt stuck and uninspired, and the stress began to take its toll.
Oddly enough, my escape came in the form of my mother’s neglected garden. Overgrown, unused, and unloved, it might not have looked like much, but it became my sanctuary. On weekends, I’d pot seeds and grow summer bedding plants just for the joy of it. One day, I borrowed a spade and wheelbarrow from a neighbor and began transforming that tangled patch into a space that was inviting, vibrant, and relaxing. It was the first time I truly saw how working with nature could lift my spirits and give me a sense of purpose.
The contrast between the joy I found in gardening and the unhappiness I felt in my office job became impossible to ignore. I knew I had to make a change, but I didn’t know where to start.
Finding My Path with Help
That’s when I reached out to Bernadette Dancy, a stress coach who helped me explore ways to rediscover my passion and purpose. Over many online sessions, Bernadette helped me understand how critical it was to break free from the job that was draining me and pursue something that truly inspired me. She suggested I study landscape design, and the idea immediately resonated.
I enrolled in a one-year program at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, which was an incredible experience. From there, I completed a three-year course in Dun Laoghaire, where I truly found my calling. I loved learning about design principles, horticulture, and the creative process of shaping outdoor spaces into something meaningful and beautiful.
After graduating, I worked in several gardening roles, including a position at Howth Garden Centre, where I gained valuable experience in sales and deepened my knowledge of plants. But I always knew I wanted to create something of my own—something that combined my skills in garden design with my growing understanding of how outdoor spaces could improve mental health.
The Impact of Gardens on Stress and Mental Health
With Bernadette’s encouragement, I took the leap and started my own garden design company. My mission was clear: to create gardens that help people feel better, mentally and emotionally.
The link between gardens and mental health is profound. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. The act of gardening itself can be meditative and grounding, providing a break from the constant demands of modern life. Gardens are more than just outdoor spaces—they’re sanctuaries where we can reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.
When I design gardens, I think about how they can provide peace and relaxation, encourage mindfulness, and offer a space to decompress. It’s about creating a place that feels like a retreat, even if it’s just a small corner of a busy urban backyard.
Building a Garden for Mental Health
One of the proudest moments in my career came in 2016 when I designed a garden specifically for mental health called “Sharing the Load.” The garden featured a giant seesaw to symbolize the highs and lows we all experience. It was a powerful reminder that life is a balance and that it’s okay to lean on others for support.
This project reinforced everything I believe about the healing power of gardens. Whether it’s through the tactile experience of planting, the soothing sound of water, or the simple act of sitting in a beautiful outdoor space, gardens have an incredible ability to help us navigate life’s challenges.
Moving Forward
Looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges I faced, as they ultimately led me to a career I love. I’ve turned my passion into a way to help others, creating gardens that aren’t just beautiful but also restorative and meaningful.
If you’re feeling stuck or stressed, I encourage you to spend some time in a garden—whether it’s your own, a local park, or even a balcony filled with plants. You might just find, as I did, that nature has a way of putting things into perspective.
Thanks for reading, and if you’d like to learn more about my work or discuss how we can create a garden that improves your well-being, I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you to Bernadette dancy stress coach for believing in me and encouraging me to take risks.
Warm regards,
Padraic
Commentaires