Flourishing Isn't Always Fast - On Grace, Good Work and What Flowers Can Teach Us
Written by Sabrina R.
I’ve known Annie for a while now, but I’ve rarely seen her the way I did that morning — grounded, open, and speaking about her journey with such grace. She shared how, even though everyone had the same materials to work with, every bouquet would still turn out different. Somehow, the simplicity of that statement made it linger.
We started with an icebreaker: choosing a flower that represented us in life and at work. I noticed how personal and tender those choices felt — some picked strong, structured stems; others chose something softer, more delicate. I chose a daffodil — a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience, representing advocates who believe in others while also valuing their own space. I resonate deeply with that.
Prompters used during the workshop session on 19 July.
In my own work, I enjoy building deeper connections with the people around me. I think it makes work feel more authentic and less self-serving, and more rooted in quality and intention. With good people comes good work. Good work always carries meaning when everyone has something to look forward to. I often think of flowers as vessels of beauty for others. But that morning, for the first time in a long while, I thought about what they meant for me. I’d like to think that they represented the beauty of relationships, a symbol of celebration and camaraderie. Sometimes it translates to, “I see you, and I hear you.” Other times, it’s a gracious gesture that warms the very fabric of what it means to flourish.
Arranging flowers is often seen as therapeutic — and it is. But in trying to ‘get it right,’ we overthink and end up chasing outcomes that don’t reflect our true intentions. I noticed this over and over, as the participants arranged their bouquets: people kept asking if they were “doing it right.” And in those questions, I saw myself. In work, in transitions, in life — wanting to make sure I’m following the “correct” way, even when there isn’t one. Annie’s words, paired with the crafting exercise, reminded me that Good Work doesn’t always come from chasing a perfect template. It comes from creating with intention, even if it feels uncertain or unfinished.
That hit home for me. I’m in the midst of transitioning from my current role as a florist toward a future in psychology — a change that feels both exciting and daunting.
For years, my idea of Good Work was tied to output: creating something beautiful, meeting expectations, keeping up. But that morning shifted my perspective. I saw how much grace it takes to slow down, to work at the pace of growth instead of urgency. Like roses or ming fern — thorny stems that require patience and prep before they can be arranged into something meaningful — Good Work, real work, often takes time, discomfort, and care. My hands still carry the tiny cuts from hours of conditioning flowers, but I don’t dwell on them. They’re simply part of the process. That’s what I love about floristry: even the hard, unseen work makes the beauty possible. It’s a reminder that meaning often comes with effort — and that’s okay. Good Work, for me now, means showing up with intention — not chasing perfect outcomes, but creating with care, grace, and resilience.
I’m still learning what flourishing means. But that morning, surrounded by flowers and grounded by Annie’s words, I realised this: flourishing isn’t always fast. Sometimes it’s messy, deliberate, and painfully slow. And maybe that’s okay. My passion for floristry has never faltered, even through challenges, and I want to bring that same resilience into the next chapter of my life. For me, Good Work now means showing up — for myself and for others — and honouring the process of becoming with care, grace, and resilience, even when I’m still figuring out what the bouquet of my own life is meant to look like.
Every year in the month of July, we pop-up and work with different co-creators to explore what good work can look like for us. If you are interested to collaborate with us to explore and expand the idea of good work, email us at hello@boldatwork.sg
