Seasons

I don’t know about you, but winter bums me out. I leave the house as the sun is rising and come home when it sets. For a born-and-raised SoCal girl, that’s my nightmare. But I always remind myself that winter is just a season, and soon enough the days will start getting longer and warmer again. 

Whether you like winter, summer, spring, or fall, we can learn a lot from the simple fact that they happen. Seasons are inevitable, like the ocean tides. They will come and they will go. And we are along for the ride.

This is much like how our lives are. Everything that transpires — whether we find it enjoyable or can’t wait for it to end — is a season. And there are lessons to be learned in each of the seasons, even the ones that bum us out. Maybe especially the ones that bum us out! 

If you experience a great success in your life, that’s awesome! Take the time to stop and celebrate it! While specific successes can’t last forever, you can take the time to bask in the seasons when they do. Pat yourself on the back before rushing off to the next thing. 

If you’re going through a hard time, instead of resenting it, think about what you can learn from it. How can you find something to take away so that your next difficult time isn’t so tough thanks to the lessons you learned the first time? 

Everything is just a season. Grade school, college, working years, retirement — all seasons. The same ways parents don’t want their kids to grow up too fast, give yourself the same permission. Don’t let your life pass you by because you’re trying to rush to the next season.

Last year, my aunt sent me a post about winter. It explained how animals hibernate during this season; they take advantage of the shorter, darker days to hunker down and rest so that they have the energy to make the most of their days during spring and summer. But as humans, we don’t focus on that. During the winter holidays, we’re all go, go, go. We set goals for the new year and charge ahead full steam when we should be resting, regenerating.

Whatever you’re going through — be it good or bad — it is only for a season. 

Why is it important to remind ourselves that even good times are only a season? Because it helps nudge us to stay in the moment and celebrate. Then when the afterglow fades, you aren’t upset the feeling is gone. At least you know you honored the success during that season. 

This week, can you remind yourself that what you are experiencing is only a season? Whether it’s stress, joy, frustration, or satisfaction, you can be 1% Better by grounding yourself in the present and knowing that it is all just a season. Lean into the lessons and experiences that will help energize you in the future.

With gratitude,

Natalie