Not Everything Needs to Be Fixed

Letting Go of the Pressure to Constantly Improve - On the Land, and in Ourselves

I used to walk through my garden and only see what needed fixing. Weeds to pull. Plants to stake. Pests to manage. Edges to tidy. It’s easy to adopt that mindset—where every “imperfection” is a problem waiting for you to solve.

But here’s the truth: nature doesn’t operate like that.

Permaculture reminds us that ecosystems self-correct. Sometimes, that patch of weeds protects the soil. That fallen branch becomes a habitat. What appears to be a “mess” often serves a useful purpose. If you step back, you can see it.

I’ve been reflecting on how this lesson applies to veterans—especially those of us rebuilding life after service. There’s a constant internal pressure to do something about everything.

To fix ourselves.

To improve ourselves.

To be more productive, more healed, and more squared away.

But what if that mindset is the real issue"?

🌿 Letting Nature (and Ourselves) Be

In permaculture, the principle of “observe and interact” teaches us to slow down before reacting.

To watch.

To notice patterns.

To let the land show us what it truly needs—rather than assuming we know best.

How often do we give ourselves that kind of grace?

Sometimes what looks broken just needs time.

Sometimes what appears messy is merely in the middle of a transformation.

Sometimes there is nothing wrong at all.

And sometimes… we’re not the problem.

🧠 For Veterans, That Might Mean:

• Taking a breath before trying to “fix” something inside you.

• Recognizing that rest, stillness, and grief aren’t weaknesses.

  
  

• Giving your body and mind space to be without judgment.

  
  

• Letting the garden do its thing—and allowing yourself to do the same.

  
  

I’m trying to stop fixing things that aren’t broken, including parts of myself. I’m learning that not everything requires a solution. Some things just need space, time, soil, and sunlight.

🌱 Discovering Beauty in Messiness

What’s something in your life that looked “messy” but turned out to be exactly what you needed?

What’s one thing you’ve stopped trying to fix?

This process of letting go can be incredibly freeing. When we allow ourselves to exist in a space without judgment, we give ourselves permission to grow.

Growth isn’t always a straight path. It often involves twists, turns, and unexpected detours. Embracing this uncertainty can lead to rich experiences.

💚 Come Grow with Us

We’re creating spaces where veterans can just be. No pressure to perform. No pressure to fix. Just a chance to reconnect—with nature, with each other, with yourself.

• 🌱 Coffee in the Garden. Join us every Thursday in Fullerton.

  
  

• 🌎 Hands-on healing and skill-building in Costa Rica this summer.

  
  

• 💸 Help us grow—donate or share our story if you believe in healing rooted in the land.

  
  

We’re not here to fix you. We’re here to grow together.

For those struggling with the idea of needing to fix everything, remember: the key to healing can sometimes be just to embrace where you are.

👉 https://www.vitalrootsfoundation.org