Happy first day of Spring! The changes of season invite us connect to the rhythms of nature and in my life and career coaching, I find it helpful to tune in. Most of us living in the First World aren’t as impacted by the seasons as our ancestors or our human family living in subsistence cultures. I believe our bodies still yearn to follow the flow of seasonal changes.

“The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” –Harriet Ann Jacobs

Four life lessons from springtime:

  1. Time to clear away the cobwebs! Winter was a time of hibernation, dreaming, introspection and rest. As spring arrives, it is time to decide what to keep and what to shed. Just as you clear out winter’s waste from the garden beds, you can do the same for your life. This is the time to organize your home and office, give away what you no longer use and need and make space for the new. This includes beliefs and perspectives that no longer serve you and setting boundaries around your time.
  2. Time to motivate and energize! You can feel the aliveness all around you as flowers bud and trees and grasses grow green again. Ride that energy but moving your body more, recommit to actions that inspire you and try something new. The days grow longer and you find you can accomplish more.
  3. It is a fertile time for growth. Now is the time to birth new ideas, projects and connections. The fertility of spring infuses you with creative liveliness. You may find yourself with newfound clarity in areas where you previously felt stuck. Old, familiar patterns are ready to shift and you have a fresh perspective around your needs and wants that you are ready to implement.

If you are having trouble connecting with the possibilities of spring, spend more time outside. Dig in your yard, go for a walk/hike or take a drive into the countryside. Put your bare feet on the earth and ask for help and be ready to receive wisdom.