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Paul Davis's avatar

Just reading this had me in tears. I’ll have the tissues ready for Friday. Love a ‘strength in the face of adversity’ story, and I’m also a novice ‘potterer’ with tons to learn, so this is both an inspiring and educational story for me.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I feel a little bad for the tears, but as Gandalf rightly pointed out "Not all tears are an evil." It's been a rough road, but the garden(ing) helps immensely. Hope you enjoy the episode.

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Sophia Shirley-Beavan's avatar

I love this and can’t wait to see the programme on Friday. Thankyou for showing your vulnerabilities, I’m sure it will help a lot of people. As for the trolls, they don’t know and they don’t care to, ignore them.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! I hope it does. It was painful to film. I know from older posts on IG, when I have shared the pain, it has helped others to feel not quite so alone and isolated.

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Rita Neep's avatar

So looking forward to this and I’m sure will help many who see the programme and the progress you have made. You have been through so much and your garden is a testament of the hard work you have put in, being out in nature has helped you so much.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. I hope so! x

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Deborah S's avatar

Very much looking forward to seeing your garden and to hearing you. I have friends affected by bipolar, and have some understanding just how hard it can hit. Thank you for sharing this - very brave of you

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. I've been assured by the BBC they've made me sound very eloquent! ;-) Yes bipolar is rough. The problem I (and many others face) is the misdiagnosis. It costs lives. Nearly my own.

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Alexandra Harper's avatar

This is beautifully written 💚I am so looking forward to watching on Friday. Please know that your Instagram account gives so much pleasure and education to others including novice gardeners like myself💚

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. So happy you enjoyed it. That's very kind of you to say. I really appreciate that. It's been a joy and a pleasure sharing the garden and all the lessons learned.

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Billie Jo's avatar

Goodness, I am in tears. So much love and passion poured into a garden that I am totally in awe of and a glimpse into the heart of the beautiful and inspiring human behind it all. I shall watch on Friday prepared this time with a tissue. 🤍

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Ah, bless you. That takes courage to type that out. I do hope you enjoy the episode. I've been told by the BBC, "there wasn't a dry eye during the edit." I wish I could have articulated better just how much of a relief to have the right diagnosis - it's as if someone has thrown the floodlights on at midnight and suddenly you're surrounded by thousands of friends and family that you just couldn't see.

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Jane's avatar

Wow, what a relief it must be, to be able to share your exciting news about the programme. Interesting to read about the background behind the filming, both technical and emotional aspects. Funny how the noises are so noticeable when pointed out isn’t it? Lovely to read how the crew were kind as you found some words difficult to remember, us regular folk aren’t so well versed in remembering’ lines’ so well done for persevering, don’t focus on what you didn’t do right because none of the viewers would know- and we do only because we read your words here, so, no judgement. Can’t wait to watch. Thanks for the ‘heads up’. 🌹🕊️

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. Yes, it was hard keeping it quiet. The only ones that knew it had been filmed at all were family and close friends. Oh, and the neighbours that were peering over fences and twitching curtains. Yes, you are right. I'm just one of those self-deprecating humans and negativity still lurks in the corners of my mind - it takes time to heal and shine a light into those dark recesses.

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Sukhie's avatar

Congratulations!!! Gardening has been life saving for my mental health, literally. I’m glad it’s been transformative for you too. Can’t wait to watch (from over here in Seattle!)

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! It is incredibly powerful. Hope you're ok. Enjoy the episode! I'll be watching from behind the sofa.

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Amber Mckay's avatar

I can't wait to watch it, Elliot- I love following your garden and journey on social media, and I come from a family where Bipolar is prevalent, so I completely resonate with you that gardening can save you sometimes. I know mine has been my sanctuary and safe space. I had misdiagnosed AuADHD and depression my garden has helped me so much.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Ah, thank you. Glad to have you along for the journey. The garden(ing) can heal many wounds. It wasn't quite enough for mine, but I am grateful it was there. Who knows how bad things would have been without it. The misdiagnosis is can be the most crippling blow. You think you're on the right path, but nothing it working which fuels extremely dark thoughts indeed. Hope you're ok now.

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Amber Mckay's avatar

I needed help too, and I took it, and I am grateful now that I did. Life is so much better.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

That's wonderful to hear x

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Tricia Raney's avatar

Absolutely fantastic news. I shall be cheering you on here, with perhaps a tear or two. I so enjoy your newsletters and Instagram account postings.

You have achieved such a lot on your journey with such a beautiful garden and better health, long may that continue. 👏👏🙏

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you very much. That's very kind of you to say. Sharing hasn't been all that straightforward as I am really a very private person. But I've found a real joy hearing that the garden has inspires. And that by sharing my pain, it helps others to not feel quite so alone.

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Gosh I’m all blurry now too what a beautiful story. I love getting your email updates and I will be watching GW with my tissues on Friday. Hugs to you x

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! That's very kind of you to say. It's been such a pleasure finding my writing voice again. Hope you enjoy the episode (and have enough tissues). I've been told by the BBC, "there wasn't a dry eye during the edit."

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Helen Hazell's avatar

I have no idea how you were able to keep the slot in GW secret for almost a year! I am so looking forward to seeing it Friday. As I have said before Elliott, your garden is an inspiration, but not only that, your story will be an inspiration to other fellow sufferers. As for the trolls, no words can describe how I feel about them. I'm sure there won't be any, will there? They must live sad lives if they feel it's OK to be unkind to others. ❤️❤️

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Yes, it was hard keeping it quiet. The only ones that knew it had been filmed at all were family and close friends. Oh, and the neighbours that were peering over fences and twitching curtains ;-) Thank you Helen for your kind words. I really appreciate it.

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Berners Yard's avatar

I will definitely be watching on Friday! 💐

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you!

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Alison James's avatar

I saw your part on Gardening World last Friday while on a trip home to visit my adad. It was beautiful vulnerable and inspiring. Now reading this I am even more grateful for your openness and your ability to speak your truth. Bravo!

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. That is extremely kind of you.

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Kelly Hargie's avatar

How wonderful is this?! Many congratulations! I must catch up on the show (which I love), but the weather has been so good I've been outdoors rather than watching telly. I can just tell from what you shared here that it is going to be gorgeous. Thank you for sharing all about the filming day. I can imagine that as much as it was a super opportunity to showcase your beautiful garden that the intricate detail of it all had its challenges. Thank you also for you courage in sharing your story of living with bipolar. Still so little understood in our culture it is important that we hear real life experiences. Bravo!

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. Believe me, I have been outside every moment I can. I didn't even want to be inside watching toy own garden on TV. But, it's out there now and things have calmed down again.

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Jo Smith's avatar

Your garden is beautiful. Really enjoyed the GW episode which has led me to your substack. Thank you for sharing your garden and your story.

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TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you. That is extremely kind of you. Great to hear you enjoyed it.

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