By: Jennie Kern, M.A.
Every spring, the town where I attended college comes alive with the celebration of its Dutch heritage through a tulip festival. In the fall, hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs are imported from Holland and planted, awaiting the coming spring when they bloom. The bulbs lie dormant underground through the entirety of the winter months, enduring freezing temperatures, snow, and the thawing and refreezing of the ground. And yet, at the end of every April, like clockwork, the flowers grow and bloom in a beautiful array of pinks, purples, reds, yellows, and whites.
In many ways, the therapy process mirrors this cycle.
Often, when we think of the therapy process, we want it to be quick and relatively painless. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? How great would it be if we could attend a few sessions to gain some tools and then be healed and on our way? Therapy can sometimes feel like a painstakingly slow process. Even more so, the cold and dark of winter can make it feel even more like trudging through foot after foot of heavy snow. Once winter ends, we are gifted with torrential downpours and dark cloudy days. It is hard to imagine that beauty can come from such darkness.
Winter may be long, but spring always follows. Like tulips playing dormant in the cold ground, healing occurs quietly beneath the surface. A kind of “quiet healing,” a slow blooming, unseen transformation that prepares us for the moment we are ready to emerge and grow.
While we wait for the consistent warmth and sunshine of spring and summer, it can be helpful to engage in activities that we know improve our emotional well-being. This can include, but is most certainly not limited to:
- Taking Walks: Going for intentional and mindful walks outside noticing the flowers you see, animals walking in your path, feeling the breeze hit your face, and the sounds of the L trains or cars bustling by you
- Start with Gratitude: Starting your day with gratitude by writing down 10 things you’re thankful for.
- Sleep and hydration: Getting adequate sleep and staying hydrated.
- Cooking meals: Cooking a meal that you enjoy can be grounding and a comforting act of self-care.
- Connecting with others: Whether it be friends, family, or new faces, meaningful connection can help improve our overall well-being.
- Spiritual community: Reaching out to your spiritual community for support can offer encourage and be a source of hope.
On cold, dark, and cloudy days, remember that warmth, light, and sunshine are coming. The days are longer. The brown of winter has been replaced by the green of spring. Flowers are blooming. Just as with the darkness of winter, your emotional wellness will improve with time and trust in the process.
