What Is An Inner Spring Season? (And How To Thrive In Spring Seasons Of Life)

Inside: Understand different types of spring seasons, common characteristics of spring seasons, and learn to thrive in the spring seasons of life.

A practice of Seasonal Living teaches us that the natural world, biology, and human experience are patterned around cycles and seasons and change is constant. As one revolution comes to an end we begin again. There is a time for turning inward and engaging outward, for building and creating and for receiving and resting, for planting, watering, and harvest. For death and (re)birth.

Tuning into the seasons we’re in helps us live gentler, calmer, joyful lives. We become more attuned to and less fearful or resentful of the ebb and flow of life. We put down deeper, healthy roots of self-awareness and self-compassion that allow us to tilt and flex and not break when the storms come. We push back against cultural conditioning and societal norms and learn to work with instead of against our wiring and in doing so, we walk in greater freedom, health and joy.

different Cycles and Seasons and four spring seasons of life

As women (and humans) across continents, geography, climate, culture, and history, we have a lot in common.

In addition, archetypal psychology, mythology, working with women from different corners of the world, my own life experiences (including grief, trauma, healing, self-awareness and self-compassion work, for example), and gleaning from the wisdom of other writers and teachers across the past 20 years, have influenced my practice of seasonal living.

But this is not a rigid model. I like to think of it as a flexible map but at the core it is simply an invitation to attune inward, listen to the wisdom of your body and life, and learn to trust and honour what you hear. My Seasonal Mindfulness Journals are a gentle way to lean into both the outer and inner season you’re in.

Learn more about the 52 Mondays series of Seasonal Mindfulness Journals – click here.

I work with 6 cycles or seasons – here are four:

Month/Menstrual Cycle: Crescent moon (being: expand, unfurl, water the seeds you’ve planted) and first quarter moon (doing). Day 6-11 of your cycle. Follicular phase. Or you may be post-menopausal in second spring.

Natural World/Year: Spring equinox ushers in lengthening days, chinook winds, cleansing rains, tender shoots. New life, rebirth, renewal.

Life Cycle: The spring season can range from childhood, through first menstruation, to early-mid 20s (or closer to 27 for some people). ‘Second spring’ comes post-menopause or about your 50s. Dominant questions of spring include “Who am I? How do I fit into this world?”

Emotional, psycho-spiritual seasons of life: Non-linear, inner seasons. Rising yang energy. Maiden archetype. You feel a big wobbly, even a bit insecure, and like you need to recalibrate or find your footing. You’re birthing something new or emerging from a long and hard season of deep growth. You’re changed somehow and even if you don’t see the whole path ahead yet, you know deep down that you’re going to find your way. You are in only one inner season at a time while you will often be in multiple different outer seasons at the same time.

The only valid test of an idea, concept, or theory is what it enables you to do.

design axiom

characteristics of spring seasons of life

Late winter and into spring you experience growing anticipation and excitement, and a sense of hopeful or joyful possibility. Where life may have felt dark and heavy, it begins to lighten. Even after the darkest winter, spring always comes again. The reflection, planning, and putting down hardy roots that you’ve done will pay off.

Spring can be a fabulous time for playing, testing, experimenting, and taking risks. You feel a new burst of energy to get things done, to take on projects, get out and engage in the world, and take action to bring your vision to life. Spring can also feel tender and vulnerable. Life is fresh and inviting one day, cold and muddy the next. Back and forth you dance.

You’re asserting yourself, finding your footing, discovering your place in the world. And maybe trying identities on for size. Be sure to stay out of comparison and keep your eyes on your own path. If you notice any remnants of old wounding or unspoken grief, now is the time to tend to them.

Spring and summer are about outward energy and engagement, while autumn and winter are more about turning our energy inward. As energy and motivation slowly rise, give yourself permission to step out into new goals, dreams, or vision slowly; you’ll build energy, focus, and confidence as you go. Release urgency; not every shiny idea is for today and not every good idea needs to be followed.

For sustainability, you must be rested, get resourced, recalibrate, and build safe and brave community. Only share your dreams with safe people. Not everyone deserves to be in your inner circle or see/know all of you. Renegotiate your boundaries with yourself and others and be careful about taking on too much too soon. Learn to honour your wiring, create sustainable rhythms, and practice a soul-honouring way of being in your body and life.

We find our way in progress not before. Imperfect action is the only way forward.

Krista xo