There are certain rites of passage that take place after a major break-up. For some, it’s a hair-cut or a big solo trip, or a regrettable rebound with someone the polar opposite of your ex. My guest this week, Alice Vincent, departed from the cliches: for her, it was growing plants. In her partly autobiographical books, Rootbound and more recently Why Women Grow, Alice chronicles how she came to growing plants as a way to heal and regain a sense of control after a break-up in her late twenties. As her life has changed – Alice is now married with her first child – gardening has remained a constant for her. In this episode, we discuss how Alice has navigated the changes of the past seven years, how gardening has allowed her to maintain a version of independence throughout it, and why she never feels lonely while out in the garden. Later, Alice also shares her tips for beginning your gardening journey by yourself, whether it’s just growing herbs on a windowsill, using a balcony space or joining a community garden.  Takeaways Alone time can be a valuable and fulfilling experience, allowing for personal growth and self-reflection.Creating personal space, whether through gardening or other activities, can provide a sense of independence and freedom.Navigating relationships and sharing space with a partner requires constant communication and a willingness to compromise.Taking time alone, whether through solo trips or dedicated alone time at home, can be rejuvenating and empowering. 00:00 Introduction 04:34 Transition to Writing 06:27 Exploring Alonement 07:43 Defining Alone 09:38 Aloneness in Different Life Stages 10:35 The Luxury of Alone Time 13:04 Navigating Alone Time 14:28 Themes in Rootbound and Why Women Grow 15:21 Finding Solace in Gardening 19:46 Creating Space for Oneself 20:46 Gardening as a Solitary Activity 24:41 The Meditative Nature of Gardening 27:03 Living with a Partner and Maintaining Independence 30:16 The Ambivalence of Sharing Space 34:32 Choosing Relationships on One's Own Terms 38:52 Creating Personal Space 43:37 Tips for Starting a Growing Journey 47:21 Taking Time Alone 50:07 Ultimate Alone Time With a one-off payment of £5, you can listen to the Alonement podcast ad-free. https://plus.acast.com/s/alonement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.