Goodbye, Winter. Hello, Spring!

How winter shapes our lives and how to embrace the energies of spring

Shedding our coats after a long, cold winter can feel so good. As the spring sun arrives, we imagine ourselves all too keen to strip down to our shorts and dresses, but some of winter’s burdens are harder to let go of.

In the winter we make new habits, and these habits begin to inform our thinking. More time spent indoors leads to less time with others and in nature, which leads to more time in our own heads. Winter is a time to snuggle up indoors, but by the same stroke, it’s also a time for internal discovery.

Whether we want to or not, the winter weather will push us to go inside our homes and hearts, and some of us might not love what we find there.

The winter is a time of darkness, and when we take this and apply it to our inner landscape, a picture of loneliness, introspection, and solitude can begin to take shape.

As hard as these things can be, they are very important. If we neglect to tend to our inner monologue, our hidden beliefs and stories, to our own shadow side, they can begin to grow wild and take over. All of a sudden you may find yourself overcome by grief, sadness, inadequacy, ennui, or dissatisfaction. You’ll think to yourself, “How did this happen? Why am I so low? This hit me like a steam train!” but the truth is, these shadowed parts of ourselves are always there. Most of us just don’t like to look at them. We spend much of the year distracted by the sun, both literally and metaphorically.

We see you, Winter.

So winter comes along and pushes a bunch of darkness and heaviness our way and says, “What are you going to do with this?” Some of us decide to delve into it and see where it takes us. Others decide to ignore it and focus on butter tarts instead. Either way, we tend to come up against internal challenges in the winter and we adopt different ways of responding to them. And then...

Welcome, Spring!

Now the sun is peeking through the fluffy, grey clouds, the little green leaves are beginning to unfurl, the birds are striking a melodious chorus and yet we may still feel a bit stuck. But why? Spring is here, right? Shouldn’t all the hurdles of winter be over?

Humans are funny little creatures and we love to do the same thing we did yesterday. Once we form habits, be they positive or negative, we love to keep them going.

So if winter brought challenges that kept you away from the gym, you’re likely to struggle in early spring to break that cycle. If winter had you eating foods that made you feel cozy and gave you a boost of endorphins (that you likely don’t need now that the sun is shining), it might still be hard to give them up.

Also the thoughts we think, the stories we tell ourselves. These are habits too.

Winter can bring stories featuring themes such as:

• Scarcity (How are we going to afford Christmas this year?)

• Envy (Why do we never go away somewhere warm in the winter?)

• Sadness (Holidays are so much harder without certain special people.)

• Apathy (It’s too much work to bundle up and shovel the drive just to go out with friends.)

When we have walked down certain paths over and over again with our thinking, our brain learns the route. It’s easier to walk that path (or think those thoughts) than it is to come up with new ones. In essence, we have made thinking certain thoughts a habit. And just because March 21st came and went does not mean we can easily forge a new path. 

Not without a little nudge. 

So here is your nudge. A reminder that spring is here and it’s safe to let go of the baggage you’re still carrying and the coats you’re still wearing from our long winter. 

Spring is such a supportive time of year. The world is bursting with tangible examples of new life, growth, rebirth, joy, and fresh beginnings. Take your cue from mother nature and burst forth. Thank the winter for the time spent inside yourself, acknowledge what you have learned, and let it go on a spring breeze. 

Embrace a new spring habit today!

Maybe it’s a new or renewed commitment to something you love that winter asked you to give up, maybe it’s a decision to spend more time outside or have coffee with a friend every Sunday. All the vibrancy and joy of spring is here to support you.

Notice it, enjoy it, and be sure to have a little fun along the way!

Journal Prompts

What were the main external and internal challenges of winter this year?

What thinking am I ready to let go of? 

What do I have to be grateful for right now, in this moment?

What habits can I begin this week that will support a new beginning for spring?

Who can I connect with to support me or bring more joy into my life?