Embracing Change Through Nature’s Rhythm
Each year, without fail, nature cycles through the four seasons. We never doubt that the trees will lose their leaves in the fall, or that the flowers will bloom in the spring. The seasons change, even when we don’t want them to. When we are holding on to those fleeting long nights of summer, or cherishing the last snowstorm of winter. Alongside the repeating cycle of seasons is the constant transformation of our lives. Part of being alive is accepting that change is inevitable, and that can be scary at times in a world where we tend to get attached to things that bring us joy. In the unpredictable chaos that is human life, we can find solace in the grounding presence of nature and the knowledge that each season will eventually come back again and again.
Everyone has a different opinion on which season is “first,” but from my perspective, the cycle begins with fall. Fall is a time when things in nature begin to slow down–leaves change color before falling from their origins, and the air becomes crisp. The days start to shorten, and animals prepare for the darkness ahead. During fall, we know that winter – a time of rest – is on its way, so we can use this time to ponder the ways we’ve grown and the areas that we believe need work. We can evaluate what is working and gracefully let go of what is no longer serving us, just like a tree releases its dead leaves, knowing that renewal is near. When we let go of the things that are weighing us down, we are creating space for something more meaningful. Fall serves as a reminder that sometimes, we need to slow down to move forward.
As the warm hues of fall slowly fade and the days get shorter, winter arrives, introducing a period of rest, reflection, and transformation beneath the surface. Snow blankets the ground, muffling noise and inviting silence into the world. Animals enter hibernation as an act of preservation. Trees are barren and prevented from new foliage growth, but that doesn’t stop their roots from persisting underground. Similarly to animals, we are often forced inside by winter’s harsh climate. We can use this time indoors to slow down and reflect on the previous year as January 1st approaches. Like the trees, our growth may not be seen on the outside, but our own roots are going deeper nonetheless – building a necessary foundation for seasons to come. For many, winter is a time of seasonal depression and loneliness, but perhaps we can instead view it as a necessary pause in the chaotic lives we lead. In these cold and dark times, we can trust that this pause is preparing us for what is to come. From winter, we can learn that not all growth is visible, and that rest is not laziness, but instead it is part of the cycle of growth.
By Lily Mock
Once Mother Nature has gotten plenty of beauty sleep, she is ready to show it off through spring. Spring brings energy, growth, and new beginnings as the flowers begin to bloom and the animals emerge from hibernation. The days grow longer, and the sun shines brighter, expelling any lingering feelings of seasonal depression. Water that was frozen begins to move again, and we can finally hear the breeze blow through new vegetation. This newfound movement is nature’s way of stretching after its slumber. With these changes in nature, we often find ourselves more motivated to create and connect. After winter’s silent growth, we are finally ready for our roots to bring buds, and for our buds to blossom. The trees show us that growth under the surface eventually pays off. After losing their leaves in fall, freezing up in winter, and now budding in spring, trees are proof that there is no shame in starting over, just like nature does every year. Spring is a time to begin again, just like the flowers do.
When spring ends, we are not sad because we know that it was just a preview of the next three months to come. Summer–when everything around us is fully alive again and abundance is all around. The plants are in full bloom, the animals are active, and the motion that began in spring is now buzzing. With the longest days, it feels like the opportunities are endless, and perhaps we can almost be forgiven for thinking that this bounty will never end. We travel, explore, and express ourselves more freely with the newfound sense of openness in the air. Opposing winter’s inner focus, we turn our focus outward through socializing, taking risks, and doing the things we are passionate about. Just like the natural world, many of us feel most alive in summer. It is a time to admire how much the seeds we planted in the previous seasons have grown. Summer teaches us to honor this growth by living our lives to the fullest extent.
As summer’s light dwindles and the warmth begins to escape us, we are brought back to the beginning of the cycle, where we appreciate what we just experienced and prepare for what is coming. Each season carries its own purpose: release, rest, growth, and celebration. When we move with the seasons, it creates a symbiotic relationship that is everlasting and ever-giving. We can always count on each season returning, bringing a sense of familiarity, but also new opportunity. It’s grounding to have the stability of the cycle of seasons in a life that is constantly, inevitably changing. Through nature’s seasons, we are able to see that change is the only constant in life, and we should embrace that.
Jump into each segment of nature’s cycle with playlists from Isabella Thomas for each season!
All collages made by Lily Mock