26/02/2025
In The Little Prince—a novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry about a young boy's journey across planets —baobab trees are a threat. Their roots, if left unchecked, can overrun and destroy the prince's tiny planet. As the Little Prince warns, "It may be convenient at times to put off one's work until another day. But in case of baobabs, it is always catastrophic to do so." This mirrors how unprocessed trauma can silently grow, eventually overwhelming one's inner world if left unattended.
Yet, boab trees also stand as a symbol of life, resilience, and interconnectedness. Thriving in Australia’s and Africa’s harshest climates, they sustain entire ecosystems. The trunk of a boab stores water, its fruit and leaves nourish wildlife and people, and even the soil flourishes beneath its shade, enriched by its deep, life-giving roots. Far from destructive, it is a tree of life, a source of healing and survival.
At Boab Tree Psychology, my intention is to hold both truths together: unresolved pain can take root if left unchecked and healing begins when it is met with compassion.
