Making Peace With Seasons

This is a repost from two years ago, when we were living in Bavaria.  I find that I pretty much feel the same now as I did then about seasons, but this reflection on the purpose of the external changes has helped me to adjust, and I wanted to share these thoughts with you...

 

Growing up in both tropical and desert climates, I longed for white Christmases and real autumn foliage.  The idea of bundling up and watching leaves blow around just sounded so cozy.  When I moved to Portland, I was ecstatic during the first  fall season.  It was gorgeous, exhilarating, and certainly cozy.  But then a "real" winter came.  It wasn't just any old winter, it was long, gray, and very very wet.  We didn't really even get a spring, and the sun didn't shine until June.  It was rather traumatic, coming from Southern California.  I enjoyed the following summer, although in a more miserly way, dreading the coming of fall, and feeling completely ripped off when it came early. I never felt quite the same way about autumn again.  It felt more foreboding than exciting.  It didn't feel inspiring, but merely the link between the end of summer and beginning of winter, which I dreaded with all of my heart.

So.  Now it's fall again, and I have to tell you, it is heart-achingly beautiful here in Bavaria.  The air is cold and smells of humus and wood fire smoke, and I feel incredibly nostalgic. Some of my favorite memories are of Thanksgiving celebrations spent with my family in California when I was younger, even if it wasn't always cold enough for a proper sweater.  For some reason, the combination of all of the gorgeousness and being far away from any family members just makes me want to cry.  I feel sad that most of the leaves have fallen, and that it will soon be bitterly cold.  Even though it's already quite frigid, I make myself stay outdoors as much as possible whenever it's not raining, since it will be much more difficult to do so in a few more weeks.  I really hope, contrary to experience, that I can find winter inspiring and beautiful, and that I can (with the help of my vitamin D supplements) enjoy it and not feel desolate.

When I really think about it, I like the idea of modeling my life around the seasons.  In autumn, I begin to slow down and focus on my family life: getting into daily rhythms, cooking, working on the things that must be done around the house.  When winter comes, it's more about stillness, settling in.  Candles, fires, a clean canvas of snow on the outside.  We slow down even more, staying indoors, drinking tea, sitting, having time to reflect and set our intentions for the coming year.  Once we've rested for a while, growing our own internal roots, spring comes along.  Life becomes colorful again, and we sort of come back to life, ready for the activity to resume.  We go outdoors again, thankful for flowers and leaves, with a "spring" in our step.  We gather momentum, and move into summer-- full of activity, people, travel.  We spend most of our time outdoors, widening our social circle and living more in our physical bodies.  The days are long, and we do so much.  Hopefully, by the time summer ends, we are fully spent and ready and thankful for the rest and relative structure of Fall.  Our summer was crazy, and I really am ready for a slow season.

This is my intention for the seasons this year.  I don't want to fight them.  I want to be guided by nature, and see what this winter may have for nurturing (rather than antagonizing) my spirit.

Happy Fall!

Did you grow up with traditional seasons?  Do you struggle with them, as I sometimes do?

(This post was shared at Thank Your Body's Healthy Living Linkup, Fill Those Jars Friday, Party Wave Wednesday and Small Footprint Friday.)

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