Green Sanctuaries: Cultivating Resilience in the 90s
Recalling the harsh 90s, it is easy to see how simple rituals of caring for houseplants became a lifesaver during that challenging time. Amid constant instability, people not only tried to secure the essential food supplies but also sought to fill their lives with a touch of nature by growing dill, onions, and even small fruit trees on their window sills or balconies.This care for greenery turned into a true ritual when people repeatedly climbed onto balcony railings to examine and touch the plants in minute detail, to feel their texture, smell, and the vibrant energy. Such attentiveness provided not only aesthetic pleasure but also allowed them to forget, even if only for a few moments, about everyday hardships, find peace of mind, and gain confidence in the future.The act of tending to plants became a symbol of personal responsibility for one’s health and emotional well-being. Even if fields might one day become overgrown with weeds, the very idea of creating a small oasis of self-reliance brought hope and inspiration, allowing one to maintain a buoyant spirit and sufficient strength to overcome life’s challenges.Thus, in the midst of the turbulent changes of the 90s, nurturing life on one’s window sill was not only a way to obtain the necessary resources but also an important source of emotional replenishment and strength.For example, one narrator describes how he repeatedly climbed onto the balcony railings to meticulously inspect and even “touch” the plants—a kind of ritual involving observing a laurel-cherry tree, caring for orange and lemon trees, and savoring the texture and aroma of their leaves. This was more than just growing plants: it was a way to find joy and tranquility and to distract oneself from the harsh realities of daily life. As one excerpt reads:"How many times a day, it happened, I would climb onto the balcony railings and, holding onto the wooden post, examine over and over again the laurel-cherry tree near the balcony that I had already studied so well, and a thousand times I would smooth and press its lacquered dark green leaves against my face, chew on them, think about how drops are made from its black berries, and inhale the floral clusters..." (source: link txt)Another source emphasizes that even if "the fields eventually become overgrown with weeds and we all starve," the plants nurtured by one’s own hands served not only a practical function but also symbolized care for one's health and inner peace:"And if later the fields become overgrown with weeds and we all end up starving, that's nothing, it's trivial. But our health will be as robust as a warrior's. 'Fruits grown in such a way... are capable of curing a person of any ailment, significantly slowing down the aging process, ridding one of bad habits, greatly increasing mental abilities, and bringing peace of mind.'" (source: link txt)Thus, amid the economic and social instability of the 90s, caring for plants on a window sill or balcony became not only a form of self-expression but also a crucial element of emotional support. It enabled people not only to secure fundamental sustenance but also to discover joy in a mindful connection with nature, even if it involved modest potted plants like dill or onions.