On September 11th, I had the honor of installing the very first Nurture Station at a Creative Writing event in Oakland, co-hosted with Unapologetically HERS.

The Nurture Station was designed to be a soft landing space — a place to pause, reflect, and feel cared for. The installation featured lush plants, affirmations, and offerings of rest: tote bags with colorful potted plants, journals with pens for writing, and Tea Drops for moments of grounding at home.

Throughout the event, I watched participants slow down as they approached the station. Some took time to admire the plants, others lingered over the affirmations, and many shared smiles as they picked up their tote bags. It was powerful to see how a space so simple — just plants, light, and intention — could spark reflection and joy.

The greatest gift came at the end of the event, when attendees carried their plants home. Many expressed gratitude not only for the gifts, but for what they represented — a reminder to create small moments of care, even in the midst of busy lives.

For me, the Nurture Station is about more than décor — it’s about modeling what it means to nurture ourselves and each other. This installation affirmed that plants and intentional spaces can transform a room, shift energy, and leave people with something lasting.

This is only the beginning. I look forward to bringing Nurture Stations to future workshops, conferences, and community gatherings — each one an invitation to pause, breathe, and grow.

I’ll leave you with this question: Where is your own Nurture Station? What small rituals remind you to slow down and tend to yourself?

— Aminah