Lessons from the Green: The Shuu.Room Botanical Collection
The journey of the Shuu.Room Botanical Collection began in the cozy plant corner of my home, where I find joy in observing plants and their serene presence. The name 'Shuu.Room' is inspired by the Japanese word 'shukufuku' (祝福, しゅくふく), which means 'blessings'. The term 'Shuu' is derived from this word, conveying a sense of prosperity, growth, and positivity associated with plants and nature. The word 'Room' signifies an indoor space, a private moment where you can communicate with the plants and find tranquility.
These green companions bring peace and remind me of life's resilience. By nurturing them, I learn profound lessons, much like the people we encounter in our lives. Plants, with their distinct characteristics, reflect our inner selves, encouraging introspection and growth. Though they don’t speak, they impart wisdom and support as we navigate life's challenges together.
The inspiration for this collection began with the Calathea, with its strikingly beautiful leaves captivating me. As I started drawing the Calathea, I found myself reconnecting with my inner self. The Calathea, symbolizing new beginnings, resonated deeply, reigniting my creative spark and inspiring this botanical art collection.
In the Shuu.Room Botanical Collection, I focus on indoor plants that have taught me valuable life lessons. Each plant in this collection carries a unique message, reflecting lessons we can all learn from. The selection includes the Calathea, Monstera, Pachira Aquatica, Epiphyllum Anguliger, Ficus Lyrata, and Stephania Erecta. Through this collection, I aim to share the beauty and wisdom of these plants, each contributing to the tapestry of our lives with their distinctive qualities and silent teachings.
The Calathea: Every Day is a New Beginning
The Calathea, with its beautifully patterned leaves, symbolizes new beginnings. Also known as the prayer plant, its leaves undergo a dramatic transformation from day to night. At night, the leaves curl up like hands in prayer, and they unfold in the morning, reaching out to capture the light. This daily ritual serves as a powerful reminder that each new day is an opportunity to start fresh.
Starting anew requires courage. Often, fear of the unknown keeps us from embarking on new journeys and stepping out of our comfort zones. Negative self-talk can also be a constant barrier, whispering, 'I can't', 'It's impossible', or 'I'm too old'.
In these moments, the Calathea offers silent wisdom: 'It's never too late to start. Every day is a new beginning. Listen to your intuition and follow your heart. I sit here, growing silently, but you can travel, create, and pursue your dreams. Fulfill your dreams and share your stories.'
Believe in yourself, recognize your uniqueness, and embrace the love around you. Let the Calathea inspire you to achieve your dreams.
The Monstera: Embrace Growth and Abundance
Monstera plants, often called the ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’ for their unique fenestrated leaves, are a popular choice for plant enthusiasts because they are relatively easy to care for. However, to see the stunning result of large, vibrant green leaves with those beloved fenestrations (leaf holes), we must have patience.
From germination to the juvenile stage, Monsteras grow steadily, but it can take around a year or more for the plant to mature and develop the characteristic fenestrations. This gradual process teaches us a valuable life lesson: patience and consistent care are essential for achieving beautiful and rewarding results.
Just as in life, where our efforts may not always yield immediate rewards, nurturing a Monstera plant reminds us that dedication and patience can lead to the growth of something truly spectacular. It’s easy to feel disheartened when faced with repeated setbacks, and our hopes may wane when the finish line remains out of sight. During these challenging times, we long for words of encouragement and a comforting presence to reassure us. In these moments, the Monstera offers silent wisdom: 'You're doing great! Acknowledge your achievements. Growth is a journey, not a destination. Be patient, and your dreams will manifest soon.'
Monsteras can also produce fruits, symbolizing the abundance that comes from nurturing growth over time. Though rare indoors, the fruit takes about a year to ripen and is delicious, reminding us that the rewards are worth the wait.
The Pachira Aquatica: Welcoming Abundance into Everyday Life
The Pachira Aquatica, or Money Tree, is believed to symbolize fortune and prosperity. With its braided trunk and lush leaves, it reminds us that abundance can flourish even in challenging conditions.
Welcoming abundance requires a shift in perspective. Many of us carry negative beliefs about money from our upbringing, shaped by our parents and society. These beliefs, often ingrained subconsciously, perpetuate a scarcity mindset in our daily lives. This mindset can make us feel like there’s never enough, causing us to worry about not having sufficient resources or opportunities. It blinds us to the abundance already present in our lives.
To overcome this scarcity mindset, it’s essential to practice gratitude. By taking a moment each day to reflect on what we have, we can start to see the wealth that surrounds us. We often get so caught up in moving forward—like riding a bike with tunnel vision—that we miss the richness of our current experiences. We focus on achieving the next goal or solving the next problem, without stopping to recognize and appreciate what we already have.
Consciously pausing to appreciate the present moment and our surroundings can help shift our perspective. This could mean acknowledging simple pleasures, the natural beauty around us, supportive relationships, personal achievements, or financial success. By planting a seed of gratitude in our hearts, we can begin to see the abundance that already exists in our lives. Gratitude helps us shift our perspective and invites more positivity and prosperity into our daily experience.
Believe in your potential, open yourself to possibilities, and let gratitude light your path. Grant yourself the opportunity to welcome abundance into your everyday life.
The Epiphyllum Anguliger: Trust Your Unique Journey
The Epiphyllum Anguliger, or Fishbone Cactus, is celebrated for its unique, zigzag-shaped stems. Unlike most cacti, it thrives in low-light conditions, symbolizing growth and beauty in unexpected places.
Embracing our uniqueness can be challenging. We often face pressure to follow traditional paths or conform to societal expectations. In our society, people often love judging and criticizing others based on what they see, without knowing the full story. Just as we don’t know their full story, they don’t know ours. It's crucial to remember that others’ words do not define our self-worth. Each of us is unique, and it's important to be true to ourselves. We don’t have to follow the norms. Instead, we should listen to our hearts, follow our own path, align with our life purpose, and co-create with the Universe.
When we doubt our direction, the Epiphyllum Anguliger silently encourages us to trust our intuition and unique path. Just as it thrives in shaded, humid conditions, we too can flourish in environments that suit our needs and strengths.
The Ficus Lyrata: Embrace Growth, Resilience, and Natural Beauty
The Ficus Lyrata, or Fiddle Leaf Fig, is cherished for its grand, violin-shaped leaves and impressive height. It embodies growth, resilience, and natural beauty, symbolizing personal development and inner strength.
The Ficus Lyrata is renowned for its towering growth, often reaching an impressive 10 feet tall indoors with proper care. When grown outdoors, some Ficus Lyrata trees can soar up to 60 feet tall. This characteristic makes the Ficus Lyrata a powerful symbol of growth. Just as this plant reaches for the sky, we too can aspire to grow and achieve our fullest potential. The Fiddle Leaf Fig teaches us that growth is a continuous process, requiring time, care, and the right environment. Typically, this plant grows about 1 to 2 feet per year under ideal conditions, with its growth rate often slowing down as it matures. This slow and steady development reminds us that meaningful growth takes time and patience.
Resilience is another defining trait of the Ficus Lyrata. Despite its preference for bright, indirect light, it can adapt to less ideal conditions and still maintain its majestic appearance. This adaptability mirrors our own ability to withstand challenges and bounce back from adversity. The Ficus Lyrata reminds us that resilience is about finding strength in difficult situations and continuing to flourish despite them. When we face setbacks or difficult circumstances, we can draw inspiration from the plant’s ability to thrive against the odds.
In our daily lives, we often face obstacles and periods of slow progress. The Ficus Lyrata inspires us to be patient with ourselves and recognize that growth takes time. It encourages us to remain resilient in the face of challenges, knowing that every struggle is an opportunity to strengthen our character.
By embracing the lessons of growth and resilience from the Ficus Lyrata, we can cultivate a more fulfilling and balanced life. Let this elegant plant inspire you to reach for your goals, stay strong through challenges, and always appreciate the beauty in the journey.
The Stephania Erecta: Face Life's Challenges with Grace and Resilience
The Stephania Erecta, a unique and captivating plant, is known for its unusual appearance and resilient nature. Its lovely round leaves seem to dance with a happy, positive vibe.
Caring for the Stephania Erecta is moderately difficult, requiring a little extra effort to nurture it. When starting off, it’s just a ‘potato’, a seemingly unremarkable bulb. People are usually very excited to see how it grows into a flourishing plant. Just as the Stephania Erecta patiently waits for the right conditions to sprout, this plant reminds us that we can also find our strength in patience and trust in our journey, even when the path ahead is unclear. This transformation symbolizes the beauty of resilience and the potential for growth despite initial appearances or challenges.
Allow its presence to inspire you to face life's challenges with grace, to adapt with resilience, and to trust in the process of your growth.
Conclusion: Cultivating Life Lessons from Nature
The Shuu.Room Botanical Collection is more than just a display of beautiful plants; it’s a source of inspiration and wisdom. Each plant, from the Calathea to the Stephania Erecta, offers unique lessons on growth, resilience, and abundance. As you nurture these plants, let them remind you of your own potential for personal development and fulfillment. Embrace the journey, trust in your path, and allow these green companions to guide you toward a richer, more meaningful life.
You can also bring these lessons into your daily environment by hanging our beautifully designed posters in your home. Each poster serves as a visual reminder of the valuable life lessons these plants offer, inspiring you to cultivate growth, resilience, and abundance in your own life.
Explore the Shuu.Room Botanical Collection posters here.
Please also visit my external blog ARTY GROW N GLOW.