That’s Me
It’s Been a Long Time Coming
I’ve been dancing around the idea of putting myself out there, of becoming the face of my own business. (Funny when you think about it like that, isn’t it?) And while I was busying myself with procrastination, people smarter than me were telling me that was in fact exactly what I needed to be doing.
So, I’m writing this blog.
(To be perfectly honest, this post is actually me avoiding making a video of myself talking about myself and what I do. For now, this feels like a fair compromise.)
When I started thinking about writing this, it felt like I somehow needed to sum myself up in a few words. Some catchy key words to label moi. But honestly, that felt like writing a dating app profile. So instead, I’ll tell you a bit of my story and let that paint the picture.
Hi, I’m Shani, and I’m a therapeutic horticulture practitioner.
I’m also a single parent and an immigrant living in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
About six years ago, while riding a “life restart” kind of wave, I came across the term Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) for the first time, and honestly, it was a real light-bulb moment. Like, sit-up-in-bed kind of moment. This is what I was looking for.
I was already in the midst of a big career shift, trying to figure out what was next for me. My years in hospitality were winding down (by that stage I walked out twice, promising never to return. I would return) and my role as a university arts department technician also came to an end. I was searching for a new direction. It, this new path, needed to combine things I loved, such as working with people, teaching and training, being in an active environment, and I wanted it to feel meaningful.
Learning about TH felt like the perfect fit. It had all of those elements and it also connected me back to my roots (yes, plant puns are going to happen a lot here).
I grew up close to the land, surrounded by nature and agriculture. Soil and I go way back. Though, as my dad could tell you, teenage me wasn’t exactly keen to join his agronomist adventures. And I may have caused a few memorable garden disasters along the way.
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Therapeutic Horticulture Australia defines TH as: “A process in which plants and gardening activities are utilized to improve the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”
It is a well-researched, science-backed practice with deep and varied therapeutic applications. It’s also a growing professional field - and an exciting one at that. One of the things I find beautiful is how wide and creative this practice is. Every practitioner I know brings their own experience, worldview, education, and magic into it.
The way I practice TH is by using it as a tool for helping us feel a little bit better.
Simples.
My work focuses on incorporating gardening and intentional connection with nature (and with each other) into everyday life. On making it simple, accessible, sustainable, and joyful. I aim to create safe, welcoming spaces where people can explore gardening -often with a focus on food growing- in ways that feel doable and nourishing, no matter your experience and prior knowledge.
I believe those small moments of joy we create while digging in the soil, harvesting our own produce, or taking a slow walk in nature, have a lovely ripple effect. They tend to accumulate quietly, spreading outwards and making life feel just a little brighter.
I know it’s worked that way for me.
From the very beginning of this journey, I knew I wanted to work in community spaces - places where everyone comes together. People of all ages, abilities, genders, and backgrounds, connecting through shared stories. I wanted to contribute and be part of that.
Six years on, I’ve been continuing to learn, develop and facilitate programs that aim to do just that: create lots of little moments that make gardening feel more accessible, less intimidating. That cultivate a sense of calm, joy, resilience, and connection.
🌻
I’m not entirely sure where this blog is going (and, kindly, judging by my history with consistency in other areas of life, I can’t promise it’ll be frequent). But it will be me.
And I like the idea of sharing more about the things I love.
If this sparked curiosity or ideas that you’d like to discuss, please drop a comment or send me an inquiry here and I will be in touch.
Ok, thanks, bye.