Why I Believe in Seasonal Living.

There’s something about July that signals the winds of change for me every year. It’s my birth month after all and summer is in full swing. A sort of energetic frenzy can be felt in the air with some glowing from vacations well spent while others are miserable over increased temperatures. Many are starting their back-to-school preparations and a palpable longing for crisp weather with endless pumpkin-spiced lattes becomes increasingly notable.

Another trip around the sun beckons my contemplation amidst the chaos of mid-summer every July. Another year older, another year wiser, right? I like to think so, which brings me to this post about intentionally living with the seasons.

I’ve previously written about self-care and goal planning among other topics and seasonal living is an equally worthy subject. So what does it mean to live by the seasons?

Seasonal living can be defined as living in alignment with the cycles and rhythm of nature.

But what does nature have to do with seeking ones north and being purposeful in pursuit of happiness?

What do the cycles of nature have to do with personal growth and wellness you ask?

Personally, I’ve found so much direction when I’ve quieted myself enough to listen to my body and spirit. It’s so easy to get caught up in the noise! Keep in mind our environments are the settings for life after all.

I remember feeling rushed into one holiday after another when simply shopping for basic needs at local stores. I felt like I had to race to every celebration in record time. Not to mention, I easily get caught up in my anxious mind taking on the feelings of others griping over things I had no control of like cold or humid weather. It took so much energy to be in that mindset. There is nothing wrong with accepting things that are out of our control, however, changing my perspective made a big difference. I made a paradigm shift with the understanding that our environment influences how we behave and impacts decisions we make.

Enter seasonal living.

Nature offers life teachings and connects us to our primordial essence. Therefore, I make it a point to gently remind myself that nature offers sacred cycles so we may thrive.

My mother would say, “every person is a universe.” I loved that statement even when its wisdom was beyond my scope of understanding. The older I get the more I understand the universe in me and the Universe to which I belong. Like the astros, nature and our own bodies, respecting phases is necessary. Living seasonally helped me practice patience, balance and gratitude. Living with the seasons doesn’t mean just eating fruit that is readily available or taking up gardening. Seasonal living encompasses so much more!

Here is a perfect definition for seasonal living as described in a post by youaligned.com:

“Seasonal living honors the fact that everything in our world exists cyclically, with each phase giving way to the next in perfect harmony.”

Living in harmony with the natural rhythms of life is powerful and everything my soul desired. I believe it necessary to connect the healing aspects of nature and our own humanity. While longing for the nostalgic moments of life is comforting, living in the present moment keeps me grounded. I could go on about the ebbs and flows of each season but the point I’m trying to share is how aligning with each season has organically improved my life.

There’s an innate calling in seasonal living that I’ve gravitated towards and embrace a little more with every passing year. I don’t want to fight time but rather cherish it. There is no satisfaction and peace for me in hurrying to the destination and missing the journey. I don’t want to rush my body and soul into a pace that is counterintuitive to my existence. Seasonal living allows me to do that. It has been an important part of my personal evolution and this is why I chose to share about it in this post.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely excited for the cooler months ahead! I adore the coziness of the fall and calm of winter. But for now, I am savoring the hot summer days that turn into beautiful warm nights. I will enjoy airy outfits, gorgeous flowers, luscious fruits, refreshing drinks, the humming of birds and whimsy of fireflies. I have sincerely found joy and wisdom with every season of nature and every season of life. Know that there’s a time for everything and that means so much more when you live with intention.

May the magic and teachings of each season heal and nurture your universe.