Where I’m living right now, most of the world is still asleep. Bare branches stretch out their arms toward the sky, the ground is brown and muddy with the melting of snow.

But there are hints.

Small slivers of green are starting to push their way out of the dirt. Buds on the trees are beginning to grow ever so slowly. The sap that has been dormant these past months is slowly making its way back up the trunk, rising to spread energy to the rest of the tree. The animals are coming out of their hibernations and entering the world again.

As the natural world slowly comes alive, it’s also time for us to start emerging and moving forward. Like seeds beginning to sprout, our creative energy starts to rise as we move into the rhythm of the spring season.

GENTLY EMERGING IN SPRING

By being more aware of the seasons and cycles of the natural world we can learn and mirror this energy in our own lives. Spring is the perfect time to start working towards the plans and goals that were set in the quiet and dark month of January. As the world starts to blossom and emerge, we can slowly begin to work on our own goals with small steps to bring them to life.

It’s the time to think about our plans and where we want to go throughout the year. To start reaching out and making connections, and to start showing up more in the community, in nature, or in business.

For me, this means working on the roots and foundation of my business (since Rooted is my word of the year). I signed up for Bonnie Christine’s Immersion class to learn surface pattern design to help me expand my art onto other items and products. It’s not a giant shift or change, but it’s a small step, then another small step. Then many tiny steps over the next 8 weeks to see my practice grow.

What tiny steps can you take to move your dreams forward this March?

MAKING TIME FOR MOVEMENT AND PLAY

Spring is also a time for movement and play, of renewal and rebirth. Think of the animals waking up from hibernation and frolicking around, or the waterfalls and rapids that dance over rocks as the snow melts. As the weather begins to warm up, the outdoors start calling to us again - sometimes only to tease us with a beautiful day before dumping 6 inches of snow, but that’s the changing nature of the season.

To change things up as we welcome spring, I’ve been adding a sprig of rosemary to my coffee in the morning for a bit of freshness and rejuvenation. And I’ve been trying to add more movement throughout my day. I don’t know about you, but the cold weather of winter makes me want to curl up under a cozy blanket and hibernate all day instead of moving my body. Adding a few more stretches or some gentle yoga to your day can help bring in that movement that spring embodies. You can also open your windows or take a walk in the sun and start to notice which trees are budding and if any early spring flowers are starting to grow.

PRACTICING PATIENCE

Spring is also a time for patience – something that I desperately need this year. Nature doesn’t hurry, the flowers don’t bloom because you want them to, only when the time is right for them. So as much as I’m itching to get moving on my goals and wanting things to be done this minute, early spring reminds me that things are still moving slowly, and all will happen as it’s supposed to.

It’s an especially poignant reminder for me this year. The past 6 months have been such a time of upheaval and waiting for our family. Between all the travel and constant moving around I didn’t have time to pursue my art or much else in life. However, being away from home for so long gave me plenty of time to plan for the future. Seeds were planted in my mind and on paper, and I’ve been sitting and waiting to be able to put ideas into action. March is finally here and I’m ready to emerge from hibernation to take action on these goals and plans.

More to come on that, as this spring in particular will be a time of extreme change as we sell our house, move across the country, and plant ourselves in an entirely new town. And I’m so excited.

Take care of yourselves, friends.