Spring time is here! Wow, I am so pleased. I find the darker, colder months a struggle. How about you? I’m the type of person who loves to be warm. When we hit the Autumn and Winter months, my energy and mood dips and I start to retreat within. I find it difficult to find energy and inspiration feel sluggish and low.
Being in Sheffield, we are aware that our winters can be cold, dark and let’s face it, a bit miserable. Looking after our well-being in the winter can take some effort if it’s not your favourite time of year.
When Spring finally arrives I am ready. As soon as the sunshine came out and the temperature started to come up, I was out. My family and I have been working towards creating a little allotment within our own garden. It’s taken us a few years to get everything set up and it’s finally ready to grow. I’ve planted seeds, cleared and tidied spaces, turned over beds and sorted out compost. And, most recently have taken to attacking some HUGE and very stubborn old privit root stumps that needed removing.
I am tired! ….Already.
At the change of the season I attended a ceremony run by our wonderfully talented and passionate therapist and friend, Carmen. She hosts these amazing ceremonies to honour the change of the season, set intentions and take the opportunity to feel into the wisdom of the natural world and allow it to guide us. It’s also a wonderful way to connect with lovely groups of like-minded women. (Absolutely recommended - I’ll link to her page for details of future ceremonies below)
Anyway, I have taken away some very wise lessons from the ceremony this time around. In relation to Spring, the change of season and the shift in energy that occurs at this time of year and I thought they would be useful to share for anyone else who feels the changes in season deeply.
If, like me, you tend to spring (pun intended!) into life at the first sign of light and warmth…this lesson may help you too. Take a look at the natural world. It may not always feel like it but we ourselves are, of course, a part of nature too. When Spring comes, the leaves and flowers don’t burst out instantly. There’s always the chance of a late frost, and the bees are not quite ready to visit. Trees take their time to slowly grow new buds. Flowers grow patiently and cautiously beginning as little buds and slowly unfolding as the warmth and light grow stronger.. Leaves unfurl and stretch out gently.
There’s a graceful steadiness in nature’s preparation for the warmer months.
I feel there’s a lesson there in terms of also allowing ourselves to gently and steadily come away from our period of winter hibernation (however that manifests for you). Step out into the the sunshine slowly. Breathe. Enjoy the fresh air, take in the new smells, the sound of songbird and sensation of warmth on your skin. There’s no need to rush into exhaustion. Just like the natural world does, trust that, as it always does, the warmer, brighter days will stay with us through the spring and summer months; there will be plenty of time.
I’m not always patient - it’s something I’m learning more about every day. But this lesson of patience, enjoying the moment for what it is, and taking a steady pace to allow energy to return is an important one.
Just as creatures return slowly, emerging from their warm nests into the bright sunshine, taking time to stretch and adjust, shouldn’t we allow ourselves the same?
What are your thoughts? Am I late in getting this message?! How do you feel the shift in seasons? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Would you like to hear more about what Carmen does? Visit https://linktr.ee/wayofthewildrose
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