Saving an Orchid from the Brink of Death

*moved from indirect light for picture.

Orchids have a reputation for being delicate, and let me tell you, they’re tougher than they look.  I had one that seemed completely done for.  The leaves were wrinkled and limp, the roots looked more like brittle threads than anything alive, and I was this close to tossing it in the compost. Being the stubborn person I am, I don’t give up easily, and neither should you!  With a little patience and the right approach, an orchid can come back from the edge.

The first step is figuring out what went wrong.  Most orchids don’t just die; they get smothered with too much love (aka overwatering) or forgotten entirely (underwatering). This orchid was suffering from pretty significant neglect.  If the roots are mushy and black, it’s been drowning.  If they’re dry and papery, it’s been starved.  Either way, the solution starts with a fresh start.

I gently pulled mine out of its old pot, brushing off the lifeless roots and trimming anything that was dead.  The key here is a sterile pair of scissors, orchids hate infections, just like people!  After that, I let it sit bare-root for a few hours, letting any cuts dry out.  Orchids don’t thrive in regular potting soil; they need something airy like bark or moss, so I repotted mine in a mix that drains quickly and allows the roots to breathe.  I also topped the soil with some dry moss to keep moisture in.

Watering is where most people go wrong.  Orchids don’t want to sit in soggy soil, but they also don’t want to dry out completely.  I started following the “ice cube” method; placing a few ice cubes on top of the dry moss, letting them melt naturally, draining slowly to prevent overwatering.  I do this every 3-4 days.  I mist the orchid with water everyday in the morning.  No guessing games, no strict schedule, just watching the roots and the feel of the pot.

Then there’s the environment.  Orchids are tropical, so they like warmth, humidity, and indirect light.  I set mine up in my amazing little indoor greenhouse, with light for 12 hours a day, I placed it on the second shelf so that it receives indirect light.  No drafts, no blasting heat vents, just a cozy, stable space to recover.

And then… I waited.  This is the hardest part because orchids move at their own pace (we’re talking over a year in between buds!).  For weeks, nothing happened.  Then, slowly, new roots started pushing out, and the leaves perked up.  It was a long game, and after a few months, the ultimate reward appeared, a brand-new flower spike!

If you’ve got an orchid that looks like it’s given up, don’t count it out just yet.  With a little care and patience, it can surprise you.  And when it finally blooms again?  That victory is so worth the wait!

From Corporate Chaos to Traditional Housewife (With Flare)

For years, I thrived in the corporate world.  Deadlines, strategy meetings, performance reviews, it was all second nature to me.  I had spent over 2 decades climbing the ladder, proving myself, and pouring everything into my career.  And I was good at it.

Somewhere along the way, something shifted.  The long hours, the constant hustle, and the never-ending pressure that once fueled me started to feel like a weight I couldn’t shake (and I love my shake weight!)  I realized that I wasn’t burnt out, I was just done.  Done chasing goals that didn’t truly fulfill me.  Done spending my energy on a career that, in the grand scheme of things, wasn’t giving back to my life in a way that mattered.

So, I made a bold choice, one that many wouldn’t understand.  I walked away from the corporate grind and fully embraced the role of a traditional housewife, but with flare.

Redefining What It Means to Be a Housewife

Now, before you start picturing me in a 1950s dress, vacuuming in pearls, let’s set the record straight.

Being a housewife today doesn’t mean losing yourself or living under some outdated stereotype.  For me, it means:

Curating a home that feels intentional and inviting.  A place that isn’t just where I sleep, but where I truly live.

Embracing the lost art of homemaking. Cooking from scratch, creating spaces that feel warm and welcoming, and bringing back the little touches that make everyday life feel special.

Having the freedom to do things on my terms.  No office politics, no rigid schedules, just a life built around what actually makes me happy.

Living slower and with more purpose.  No more running on autopilot.  Now, I get to savor the little things, invest in my passions, and build a life that feels intentional.


The Transition: Letting Go of the Hustle

Walking away from a career I had spent so many years building wasn’t easy.  I had to unlearn the idea that my worth was tied to productivity, that success only came with a paycheck, and that slowing down meant settling.

What I found instead was a different kind of fulfillment.  The kind that comes from creating a beautiful meal from our garden, from watching the seasons change outside my window, to knowing that my time is mine now and not anyone else’s to squander.

Why This Life Suits Me (And Might Suit You Too!)

I didn’t leave the workforce to do nothing; I left to do something different.  To live a life that values balance over burnout, creativity over conformity, and home over hustle.

Now, my days are filled with things that actually bring me joy.  Experimenting in the kitchen, growing my own food, making my home a space I love being in!  I still have goals, I still work hard, and the greatest thing is, it’s on my own terms, for things that I choose.

And that, to me, is the ultimate success!