From divorce to moss balls, neshia byrdsong's journey to self-discovery

After a tumultuous period marked by divorce, job loss, and an empty nest, Neshia Byrdsong of Kennesaw, Georgia, found solace in potting plants. The ancient Japanese art form of kokedama, which involves removing a plant from its traditional pot and hand-sculpting a self-contained home for its roots using soil and moss, resonated deeply with Byrdsong.

Byrdsong's passion project blossomed into an unexpected business, growing intentions, where she sells hand-sculpted, potless plant designs.

For Byrdsong, the kokedama designs mirror her own journey of breaking away from traditional structures to find a new sense of stability. 'I'm not asking what my purpose is in life anymore, because now I know everything has aligned and this is what I'm supposed to be doing,' she said. 'I'm supposed to be teaching not just plant care and beauty, but also how to pour into yourself.'

Research supports the benefits Byrdsong describes. Studies have shown indoor plants can help lower cortisol levels, a hormone linked to stress. For Byrdsong, caring for her plants became a form of self-healing, nurturing her own well-being as she nurtured the soil.

Through Growing Intentions, Byrdsong now shares that philosophy with others – cultivating self-care and growth, one kokedama at a time.