This is a gorgeous and super simple DIY craft activity - and once you have created your zen garden you can use it again and again for a mini moment of calm before bed, or to take the sting out of a stressful day.
Step 1. Choose a small but beautiful container. This can be anything from a shoebox to a bamboo tray to a vintage trifle dish. If you can’t find one that makes your heart sing, I recommend recyclable palm leaf plates/bowls for the perfect (and inexpensive) zen vibe.
Step 2. Add 1-2 inches of sand. It can be fine grain sand, course sand, play sand, sand liberated from your local park... we are definitely NOT going to overthink sand.
Step 3. Add rocks, pebbles, shells or decorative stones. Collecting these is a mindfulness activity in itself, if you're able to get out into nature to look for pretty rocks then you are well on the way to tranquility my friend.
Step 4. Create patterns in the sand. You can buy teeny tiny rakes for this purpose, and they are truly adorable, but in all honestly a fork and a stick do the job just as well. Draw swirls, lines, or any design that makes you feel ‘ahhhhhhhh’.
Step 5. Spend literally hours rearranging the rocks in your pocket sized garden, making new patterns in the sand and then brushing them away, experimenting with adding additional elements like succulent plants, statues, driftwood…
By this point you’ve probably realised that a miniature zen garden is, in essence, a sandbox for grown ups. And maybe that’s why it’s such deeply relaxing experience. It’s a chance to create without judgement or pressure. It's... permission to play. So consider this post your permission slip, and go forth and create a tiny sand world of your own.
Of course if you do make your own mini zen garden we’d love to see your pictures - share them here in the comments or email them to shonie@theseartfulhours.com
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