The Seasons of Us: Understanding Life's Transitions Through Nature

🌳 Nature’s Wisdom: Trees Don’t Fight Change — They Flow With It

Life is full of transitions — some expected, some sudden, some beautiful, and some painful. We move from childhood to school, from school to college, then maybe university, work, relationships, and for some, parenthood. And just when we think we’ve settled, life shifts again. Careers change. Children grow and leave home. Love deepens or breaks. Parents age and eventually pass on, and we find ourselves navigating life without the people who once anchored us. That transition can feel frightening, leaving us feeling lost, unrooted, and unsure of who we are without them. Through it all, we shed old versions of ourselves again and again.

If you’ve ever stepped outside in autumn, you’ll notice something powerful: Trees let go of their leaves so they can survive the winter and grow stronger in spring. They don’t cling. They don’t panic. They don’t blame themselves for needing to rest. They shed. They pause. They trust what’s coming. What if humans allowed themselves the same compassion? 

When a child goes to school… when a young person leaves school… when a student steps into adulthood… when someone becomes a parent for the first time (or the fifth)… when life uproots us in ways we didn’t expect… we often resist. We worry. We hold on to who we were because the unknown is frightening. But nature shows us that letting go is not failure — it’s preparation. Trees release what no longer serves them so that new growth has space to emerge. Imagine if we did the same.

Human Transitions: The Quiet Moments That Shape Us

Leaving School

It’s not just a timetable that changes — it’s identity, friendships, routine, and safety. Young people often grieve this shift without realising it. They’re shedding childhood.

College and University 

These phases come with pressure, expectation, and the fear of “Who am I supposed to be?” Transitions at this age aren’t just academic — they’re deeply emotional.

Building intimate relationships 

There’s a whole phase of life where we’re learning how to love and be loved.When you’re young, relationships aren’t just about romance — they’re about discovering who you are, what you need, and what you won’t settle for.t’s a time of first loves, heartbreaks, lessons, and realising that intimacy is more than chemistry — it’s safety, honesty, and being truly seen

Becoming a Parent 

Nothing transforms a person more. You lose sleep, structure, and the person you used to be. You gain love, purpose, and a new chapter — but it’s still a transition, and transition always requires letting go.

Midlife Shifts 

Children grow up. Relationships change. Careers take unexpected paths. Many people feel “lost” here — not because anything is wrong, but because they’re becoming someone new. And becoming someone new can be messy, beautiful, and painful.

Letting Go: The Strength We Forget We Have

Just like trees, we don’t lose our roots when we shed old parts of ourselves. We’re still grounded. We’re still growing. We’re still capable of becoming stronger than before. Old beliefs, old roles, old expectations, old fears. Letting go of these isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. Nature teaches us that growth requires release, and release requires courage.

If you’re going through a transition — big or small — you are not going backwards. You are not failing. You are simply entering a new season. Take a breath. Trust the process. And know this: Trees don’t cling to their leaves… and you don’t have to cling to who you used to be. Your next season needs space to grow. You are not going backwards. You are not failing. You are simply entering a new season. Take a breath. Trust the process. 

As a counsellor and hypnotherapist, I often remind my clients: Humans are not meant to stay the same. We are living, breathing, adapting beings. And nothing shows us this truth more clearly than nature.