A few months ago, my garden was a place of peace. Rows of hopeful green shoots, tidy beds, shady morning breezes. I’d take a slow stroll with my coffee, collect a tomato or two, and whisper a little “thank you” to God for the miracle of growth.
Fast forward to August?
It’s Jumanji out there.
I’ve got sweet potato vines strangling the walkways, 8ft tomato vines I need a step ladder to harvest, and that whole vertical cucumber and pea archway? Yeah. You need a machete to get through it to find the cucumbers as big as watermelons in there. And you really don’t want to if you’re scared of spiders.
And honestly?
It’s starting to feel a lot like my life.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about growth:
Not all of it is good.
When everything starts blooming at once—opportunities, ideas, commitments, even good things—it’s exciting! And it can crowd out the best things.
Busyness starts masquerading as purpose. You get distracted by the fruit, but forget to tend the root.
Jesus said it best:
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
— John 15:2 (NKJV)
He doesn’t say “prune the bad stuff.”
He says prune what’s not bearing fruit. Even the extra leafy stuff that looks healthy.
Let that sink in for a sec.
If you’ve been feeling off lately, here are a few signs it might be time for a spiritual pruning:
- Your calendar is full, but your heart feels empty
- You’re growing—but not in the direction you meant to
- You’re anxious, tired, irritable (but don’t know why)
- You’re doing a lot, but not feeling deeply rooted
- Your spiritual life feels like one more thing to “manage”
Friend, I’ve been there.
I once packed my schedule so full that I lost myself in the to-do list. I was productive, successful, even “helpful”… but I wasn’t present. I wasn’t living on purpose.
I had to learn (and still do) to stop, reassess, and start cutting back. Not out of fear, but in faith. Because pruning always prepares the way for a more intentional harvest.
Behavioral science backs this up:
We’re more likely to follow through on our goals when we remove friction, increase clarity, and attach meaning to our actions.
1. Pause
Slow down enough to hear your soul. What is God whispering beneath the noise? Don’t skip this part. A rushed gardener is a reckless gardener.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Try a walk. Try 10 minutes with your journal. Try turning off your phone and lighting a candle. Stillness is the soil where clarity takes root.
2. Name the Overgrowth
Get honest: What’s too much right now? What’s keeping you busy but not bearing the kind of fruit you want? What’s draining your joy instead of nurturing it?
Grab your journal and get writing.
3. Cut Back with Confidence
Here’s your permission slip:
You are allowed to let go of what no longer aligns.
Say no. Step back. Make space. Prune bravely. I mean really get in there with that pair of loppers and be merciless. (Sorry, not sorry tomatoes!)
Not out of guilt—but because you’re creating room for something deeper to grow. (Hello more red jewels!)
💌 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
If your life feels like my tangled potato patch right now, I want you to know: You’re not behind. You’re just in a new season.
And pruning isn’t the end—it’s the preparation for breakthrough.
🎧 In fact, we talk about this in depth on my podcast, Planted on Purpose. Check out the May 12th episode:
“From Burnout to Blooming: 5 Mindset Shifts to Trade Busy for a Life of Purpose.”
It’s packed with soul-soothing truths and practical shifts to help you breathe again.
✨ Ready to Clear the Clutter + Cultivate Purpose?
If your spirit is whispering “yes,” I invite you to apply to work with me inside the Sonshine Academy. It’s a soul-aligned, plant-inspired path designed to help you:
- Reconnect to your purpose
- Clear out spiritual & mental clutter
- Build a rooted life that actually feels like you
- Grow with grace—one sacred seed at a time
🌱 Apply here to get started — I’d love to walk this path with you.
💬 Journal Prompt:
What do I want life to look like 5 years from now?
(And what needs to be cut back today to help me grow toward that vision?)
💡 PS — Want a pocket-sized peace boost?
The Peace in Your Pocket Mindset Cards are perfect for daily encouragement while you prune. Each one holds a powerful Bible verse to help you reset your mind and reconnect to peace.
Because even in the cutting back… God is still growing you.