Trying to bloom “wherever” you are planted?

It’s March already, and two months of 2025 are already gone! My week was busy. I feel like I have been in sprint mode since the beginning of the year and now I am getting tired because these days, weekends are so short! Before you have fully rested, it’s Sunday afternoon and back to the grind again. Anyways, let’s get to this week’s topic.

We’ve all heard it, “bloom wherever you’re planted.” It’s meant to be encouraging, be resilient, make the best of your situation, and thrive no matter what. I know i have quoted this statement in the past 🙈. But here’s a question: What if you’re planted in the wrong soil? Most cacti won’t flourish in a rainforest, and I doubt a sunflower will bloom in the north pole. People are no different. We all need the right environment to truly thrive.

The Right Environment Makes All the Difference
I have seen this over and over again in my career. In a place where I thrived for over a decade, there were others who struggled to fit into the culture and pace. They left and thrived and excelled in different environments. Same person, different environment, and the results were night and day. It does not matter how you tell yourself to “adapt” and to “bloom,” If the environment is not a fit, you will wilt.

Science Agrees: The Fit Matters
Research backs this up. Studies on Person-Environment Fit (P-E Fit) show that when people are in environments aligned with their personalities, values, and strengths, they are more engaged, productive, and mentally healthy.

In the Workplace: A study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that employees whose values matched their workplace culture had higher job satisfaction and lower stress levels. Meanwhile, a poor fit led to burnout and high turnover rates.

In Schools: Research shows that students who feel connected to their school’s culture perform better academically. A misaligned environment, however, can lead to disengagement and underperformance. As a family, we have moved around a bit, and each move meant our children changing schools. And I can say this, not every school we considered was always a good culture match for our children.  

In Mental Health: Ever noticed how certain places and social circles make you feel drained while others lift you up? Studies confirm that environments play a huge role in anxiety, motivation, and overall well-being.


So, What Should You Do Instead?
Instead of trying to bloom in the wrong place, find the right soil for you.

1. Know Yourself :  What energizes you? What drains you? If you’re an introvert in an open-plan office with constant noise, you won’t magically “bloom”, you’ll be exhausted.

2. Assess Your Environment: Does your job, community, or social circle align with your values? Do they bring out the best in you?

3. Make a Change When Necessary: If a plant isn’t thriving, a good gardener doesn’t yell at it to “be stronger,” they ensure the conditions are ideal for the plant to grow. You are no different.

Life isn’t about blooming wherever you’re planted. It’s about finding the right place to plant yourself. For plants, the soil, the sunlight, and the environment matter, and the same applies to people. If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: Am I in the right soil? And if the answer is no, maybe it’s time to stop forcing yourself to bloom and move to a more suited environment.

Gratitude: This week, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get much needed rest. I will take full advantage of the weekend and just rest.

Gratefully