Spring fever or funk
Emerging from winter
Welcome to a new week!
If you’re reading this on Sunday - Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We are having a neighborhood brunch today which made me realize that I have nothing green in my closet. I think it’s time to bring in some green. Don’t you?
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THE WINDOW
As a kid, did you ever plant seeds in a little dirt cup, place it in the window and watch the seeds grow? Days and days would go by. Nothing. Then, all of a sudden, one day - little sprouts appeared as if out of nowhere.
I was thinking about that this week as I realized the sun is hitting our apartment at a new angle.
We live in a high-rise with floor-to-ceiling windows and our unit faces northeast so we get to watch the sunrise over the mountains every day (unless a thick fog rolls in).
It fascinates me how much the sunrise moves along the ridge of the mountains from day to day. It seems like it should rise in exactly the same spot, but no. It’s slightly different every day and dramatically different from season to season. We have fun trying to guess exactly which ridge it’s going to pop up from each day as we sip our morning coffee.
For the first time in months, the sun is now hitting our apartment at an angle that brings the rays inside. It’s our first sign of spring around here.
Maybe you’re feeling those first signs of spring yourself?
THE BEAR
If you are a regular reader here at The LIFT, you know I have been in a funk the last few weeks. You can tell just by reading my stuff, but I’ve mentioned it directly, too.
It’s not easy to write a LIFT from a funk, but somehow I get it done. Luckily, it doesn’t happen often for me, but it also doesn’t usually last this long. This has definitely been one of the longest funks I’ve had in a while. It’s been coupled with a bunch of menopause symptoms which leaves me wondering - is the funk causing the menopause symptoms or are the menopause symptoms causing the funk?
I know I’m not alone in that question! Maybe one day we will actually put some real research into menopause and women’s health so we don’t have to ask such rhetorical questions. But, that is a topic for another day.
One of the benefits of having a creative outlet like writing a weekly newsletter is that you can see when you are clearly aligned and when you are out of sorts. It’s like a personal little check in. You can see the shifts and compare them against the backdrop of life - much like watching where the sun rises along the ridge of the mountains.
So, here I am at the start of spring feeling a bit like this guy…
I SO identify with this bear - like I’m crawling out of hibernation all crumpled up. Disoriented. Groggy. Reluctant. Slow. Off balance. How long have I been asleep?
Anyone else feeling this right now or is it just me?
THE GIRL
In contrast, my friend shared a great story with me this week. Her niece (9 years old) came out dressed to go to school in a spring dress this week. It was 40-degrees outside! Her mom asked, “Lily, where did you get that dress?”
Turns out, the night before when she was supposed to be sleeping, Lily had gone out to the garage and found the box that had all of her spring clothes in it. She dragged the box into her room and hung all of her spring dresses in the closet while taking all of her winter clothes and packing them up in the box.
Oh to be 9 years old again!
Lily has had enough winter. She decided it’s time for spring. Never mind the weather!
I just love that story and the image of her taking matters into her own hands.
FEVER OR FUNK
No matter how deep the funk, there’s nothing like the image of a ragged bear crawling out of hibernation or a 9-year-old little girl dragging her spring clothes out of storage to bring a smile to your face.
Seasons are a huge shift, but we just go about our business like nothing has changed. Of course, this is coming from a gal who lives in San Diego, California. Seasons are pretty subtle around here. Maybe it’s something more dramatic for you moving from winter to spring.
Either way, it happens. The seasons change. And, just like those seeds in the dirt cup, suddenly one day, you see something new has sprouted. Or you notice how the sun is coming in the window at a different angle. And you realize, nothing is the same. Ever.
It’s miraculous really.
We live in a constantly changing environment. Sometimes subtle. Sometimes more obvious. But, we adapt to it every day. We move through. We soldier on.
Guess I’m noticing the same in life seasons as well. Midlife changes are huge, yet we attempt to go about our business like nothing has changed. When in fact, everything has changed. Maybe it’s obvious like a sprout emerging from the dirt or maybe it’s more subtle like the way the sun comes through your window.
It’s miraculous really.
Wow. I think something just sprouted from my funk in the process of writing this. My little dirt cup…so exciting!
You can’t ignore the seasons. You’re not supposed to. You’re supposed to notice them. Witness. Marvel.
Whether you’re feeling spring fever or spring funk, it’s all about honoring the miracle of constant change and evolution.
Maybe you’re like Lily, excited to throw on your spring dress and update your wardrobe. Maybe you’re more like the bear, reluctantly dragging yourself into the season ahead.
Either way, honor the process. Take a moment to marvel at how amazing it all is.
A new season has arrived.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I challenge you to recognize where you are at this season. Maybe you need some extra space to stretch and slowly take in the changes around you - IN you. Or maybe you are surging with energy that needs expression and new outlets. Either way, take a deep breath and notice how miraculous it all is and that you get to be here for it. Lucky us.
RESOURCES:
READ: Second Spring; It’s a Thing | Kate Codrington
IN SUMMARY:
Thanks for being here through all of the seasons. I hope you discover a little magic this week as we welcome spring. Keep your eye on the dirt cup. Green is on its way!
See you next week?
Meanwhile, reach out to me anytime!
Karen Friend Smith
Certified Health Coach & Environmental Health Specialist
Specializing in Perimenopause & Menopause
karen@itmaybemenopause.com
www.itMayBeMenopause.com
Instagram: @itmaybemenopause
Beautiful and poignant, as always, Karen. 💚🪴
Looks to be another beautiful San Diego day ahead of us. Go out and enjoy it! 💕😎💕