Behind every daffodil, there’s a story

How do you feel now spring is here and what do you make this mean?

Are you aware of an inner spring?

As the days grow longer and warmer and the Earth bursts into life, waking up and raring to go from winter hibernation, the shift in seasons brings more than just blooming flowers and sunnier skies (I know, I know, but we have had a few sunny days). Spring brings an invitation to refresh, reset, and embrace the possibilities that come with growth, change and transformation. Shedding the stillness and slumber of winter, the rising energy of spring brings a sense of optimism, hope and excitement for what is to come.

I wonder how spring is showing up for you?

In my house this spring, it feels rather poignant. It is the first without my Mum. While if pushed I would probably say my favourite season was autumn, and there was no doubt this year winter and Wintering[1] [2] saw me through the difficult transitions without her, spring was one of Mum’s favourite times of year. She hated winter and the cold and would look forward to the warmth, hope and reawakening of spring every year. To celebrate I would buy her at least one bunch of daffodils as soon as they appeared, it become our ‘thing’. We would watch a kaleidoscope of colour and life return to the garden, and she would sigh in pleasure, knowing another winter had drawn to a close.

This year feels like a contradiction of desires. I can hear the call of possibilities, growth and renewal that comes ever closer with spring, while still feeling very much the pull to stay retreated in my metaphoric shell. I can feel the allure of manifesting my carefully nurtured hopes and dreams, but with an awareness of all that I have had to leave behind, and who is not coming with me.

While your reasons may be different from mine, and certainly with the way of the world at the moment there is much that might make anyone of us feel they want to hibernate for longer, I wonder how many of you can relate to the push-pull of this years seasonal shift?

The great awakening

After months of retreating into winter’s cold embrace, spring arrives with welcome signs of renewal. Longer days and warmer sunlight coax leaves to unfurl, flowers to bloom, and wildlife to flourish. Nature sheds the remnants of winter, making space for new life and, in doing so, invites us to embark on our own journey of self-renewal.

As the world awakens, so too does something within us. There is an undeniable pull to bring our ideas and dreams into the light, fuelled by fresh inspiration and the energy to create new beginnings. Our hearts, minds, and souls come alive; perhaps in ways they never have before. With a childlike sense of wonder, we are drawn to the possibilities unfolding around us, eager to explore new ideas, embark on exciting projects, and embrace playfulness and joy.

Yet, while spring encourages curiosity and experimentation, it also calls for discernment. The dreams nurtured through winter’s stillness are now ready to take form, but not all can flourish at once. Just as nature channels its energy into purposeful growth, we, too, must decide where to focus our efforts. Our focus cannot successfully be everywhere as then we become too scattered and overwhelmed. However, our attention can be very powerfully somewhere, directed with intention, allowing us to nurture what truly matters, bringing it fully to life.

To reflect on this you might ask:

What seeds might I plant this spring?

What do I want to experience and how do I want to feel?

What excites me and makes my heart sing?

If I could create anything, what new beginning would it be? And what do I make this mean?

Spring shifting

As a season of transition, spring can still be blustery, occasionally surprising us with an unexpected snowfall. It serves as a reminder that challenges and struggles may yet arise, calling upon the resilience and strength we cultivated in the stillness. The birth of new ideas often requires effort, and it is the best-laid, most well-grounded dreams that ultimately take root and thrive.

Spring’s unpredictability teaches us that embracing change, cultivating new habits, and undergoing transformation can take time; often requiring multiple attempts or false starts before we succeed. To reach our full potential, we must break through past limitations and push forward with determination.

Yet growth demands energy, perseverance, and courage. Just as a seed must push through the soil and withstand the elements before it can bloom, we, too, must be willing to rise, stretch toward the sky, and shine.

Much like the ritual of spring cleaning, this season invites us to cleanse both our physical space and our inner landscape. It urges us to sweep away what no longer serves us, to clear out the mental cobwebs, and to release what we wish to leave behind.

During this time, journaling, mindfulness, and self-reflection can help dissolve mental blocks, creating space for new perspectives. These practices allow us to explore new ways of being in a safe and intentional manner before we step fully into the world, renewed and ready to embrace what lies ahead.

Within this process, you might consider:

Where and what in your life needs to be renewed?

What parts of yourself are you reawakening, what new whispers of the heart do you hear?

Who do you need to become to bloom into your fullest most authentic self?

What or who do you need to leave behind?

Innately spring

While seasonal psychology remains largely overlooked and not always fully understood[3], recognising the seasonal rhythms within ourselves; and the ways these natural cycles influence us, allows us to better embrace change and transformation.

Historically, spring has been a time of renewal, a season for reconnecting with abundance and growth, and for expressing gratitude for having made it through the hardships of winter. It carries with it a sense of promise, possibility, and expectation; like the quiet pause of holding one’s breath, waiting to see what will unfold.

The transition from winter’s introspective stillness to spring’s vibrant outward energy can sometimes leave us feeling a little off balance. Yet, just as the Spring Equinox restores harmony and balance to the Earth, it also mirrors a deeper call for equilibrium within ourselves.

This year, for me, that transition feels like an internal pull between who I was and who I am becoming; like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, its wings newly formed yet still uncertain of how to use them.

I wonder how many of you can relate to this?

As we shift our mindset and align our actions with the energy of the season, we lean into hope and possibility with greater self-awareness and self-compassion. In doing so, we awaken more fully to our own lives. We transition from dreaming, planning, and resting to planting seeds nurtured by the quiet whispers of our heart’s desires; taking purposeful action that aligns with our goals, aspirations, and our inner truth.

Life’s essence lies in change, growth, and transformation. To evolve is to embrace the natural cycle of renewal, and the gift of spring is that it provides everything we need to begin blooming into our most authentic selves.

With longer days and rising temperatures, our energy levels often increase, drawing us back into nature to witness and connect with the beauty unfolding around us.

While many of us instinctively seek the outdoors to unwind and recharge, research highlights the profound benefits of nature therapy in reducing our stress, improving sleep and clarity of thinking, strengthening relationships, and enhancing overall well-being and happiness[4].

Whether through mindful walks, gardening, or simply basking in the sunlight, time spent in nature can be deeply restorative. In fact, the practice of forest bathing[5] or ‘shinrin-yoku’, developed in Japan in the 1980s, emphasised healing and therapeutic effects of immersing oneself in nature and spending time amidst the trees. It’s purpose was to encourage people to restore their physical and psychological health through experiencing the world through their five senses. Designed to promote both physical and psychological well-being, it encourages full sensory engagement with the environment.

So, if you find yourself in need of an immune boost or a way to regulate your mood, or just  away to dissolve stress form the day or week at work, a visit to your local forest may be the perfect place to start.

Further reflective thoughts to work more purposefully with spring energy might see you asking:

What do you want to create?

What do you want to see more of in your life?

What feels balanced or harmonious?

How can you balance the light and dark in your life moving forward?

Final thoughts

However you choose to connect with spring’s playful, curious spirit, remember that its call is to stretch beyond your comfort zone; or in my case to step out of my shell, and into a realm of potential and possibility.

The essence of spring reminds us that growth is an ongoing, beautiful process. Its natural energy can inspire us to cultivate new routines and recommit to goals that may have been mere seeds of thought during the quiet winter months.

By embracing this season, you can gain clarity on your aspirations, your hopes and dreams, and refine your intentions, in order that you might take purposeful steps towards change and transformation. Whether it’s a career shift, a wellness journey, or a change in mindset, spring offers a powerful invitation to welcome change with enthusiasm and an open heart.

What if you made space to embrace the gifts of spring, what would this look like within yourself, your work and your life? And what would you make this mean?

For now I leave my reflections on spring with a poem by Oscar Auliq-Ice:

Whispers of a season anew,

When winter's reign is almost through,

Beneath the snow, a secret stirs,

Spring's gentle breath, the world prefers.

Blossoms blush in tender light,

Breaking free from winter's night,

Green tendrils rise, and stretch, and cling,

Heralding the start of spring.

Birdsong fills the morning air,

Nature's symphony, beyond compare,

Rivers chuckle, bubbling and singing,

To the rhythm of life, newly beginning.

The sun casts longer, warmer glows,

Melting mountains of age-old snows,

Each new dawn, a fresher hue,

As the world awakens, bright and new.

Bees hum, and butterflies wing,

In this magical dance of spring,

A time of birth, of hope, of fling,

Welcome to the beginning of everything.

As a coach at Curiously-U, I actively encourage you to be curious, to wonder and to explore the promise and possibilities that spring holds for your transformational journey. If you would like support with your spring filled explorations, let’s connect.

References

[1] May, K. (2020) ‘Wintering: The power of rest and retreat in difficult times’. :Ebury Publishing

[2] Hagan, M.K. (2010) ‘Winter Solstice Celebration’, Furrow, 61(3), pp. 185–188

[3] Hohm, I. et al. (2024) ‘Homo temporus: Seasonal Cycles as a Fundamental Source of Variation in Human Psychology’, Perspectives on psychological science, 19(1), pp. 151–172.

[4] Bratman et al. (2019) Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances. 5(7). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax0903

[5] Wen, Y. et al. (2019) ‘Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): a systematic review’, Environmental health and preventive medicine, 24(1), pp. 70–70.