The Seasons of You: Identity and Growth Through Nature

By Sally Luehman – Headquarters Coaching LLC. Inspired by Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Journal Issue 13 | Resolve

As another year winds down, I’ve found myself craving quiet. And this morning—at 6 a.m., coffee in hand, house still and dark—the message I wanted to share for the new year finally came to me.

My three boys are home from college for winter break. Every morning this week, I’ve woken up to a light left on all night and a kitchen that looks like a small tornado passed through. Part of me sighs… the other part smiles, because I know this season will pass again soon. They’ll head back to campus, back to their own routines, and I’ll return to mine—still learning, still growing, still remembering what matters most at 49 years old.

Lately, I’ve been waking up before my alarm. When I go to bed with a full mind—planning, dreaming, prepping for tomorrow—my internal clock flips on like a switch. This morning it was 5:30 a.m. The world outside was still, the house was silent, and I felt that familiar pull to think, write, and reconnect with myself before the day started.

As I flipped through a stack of old magazines, one last time before tossing them, an article by Joanna Gaines caught my eye—a reflection on how the four seasons mirror the seasons of our lives. Her words hit me at just the right moment, and I could feel the message settling into place.

Spring: The Season of Authenticity

Joanna described Spring as the season of authenticity—when blossoms break through the soil to reveal who they truly are. Hidden beauty rises to the surface. Roots deepen. Identity strengthens.

We’re the same way. Every one of us has a deep-rooted self waiting to be unearthed, nurtured, and expressed. Spring invites us to remember who we are without fear, without polishing, without pretending.

Summer: The Season of Freedom and Abundance

Then comes Summer—bold, warm, generous. A season that invites movement. We run. We explore. We say yes. We gather around lakes and fire pits. Life tastes sweeter in these months. Summer reminds us that joy is meant to be experienced, not earned. Abundance is meant to be received, not justified. For 90 bright days, we’re reminded what it feels like to truly live.

Fall: The Season of Wholeness and Release

Joanna described Fall as a season of wholeness—where our experiences, both beautiful and challenging, merge into meaning. Leaves turn, fade, fall… and we remember that life’s richness is created by everything that came before it.

Fall is when we examine our own stories. We honor the chapters that stretched us. We give thanks for the moments that softened us. We recognize that both life and loss shape who we are becoming. Fall is the season where we say, “This is where I’ve been, and this is what it taught me.”

Winter: The Season of Resolve

And then… Winter. The quietest season. The stillest season. The one that forces us to pause long enough to hear ourselves think.

Winter is where resolve is born.

It’s where we rest with purpose, holding onto the growth of the past year and preparing for the renewal that Spring will bring again. Winter invites us to become honest with ourselves:

Who am I becoming? What do I need to release? What am I choosing next?

Winter is not an ending. It’s the moment we decide to rise again—on purpose.

A New Year Reflection Practice

As I write this, my hope is simple: That you take a moment to reflect on your own year through the lens of these seasons.

Ask yourself:

• What moments shaped me this year?

• What surprised me?

• What energized me?

• What drained me?

• What was my greatest adventure?

• What did I fail at, and what did it teach me?

• Where did I quietly grow without even noticing?

• Who did I impact?

• And who impacted me?

Reflection is not about judgment. It’s about awareness. Awareness is how we evolve.

We Pack for the Journey Ahead

Looking into the new year, I’ve decided one thing for certain: I get to choose where I’m going next.

And I’m not carrying outdated fears, old stories, or heavy emotional luggage with me. I’m packing light. I’m packing intentionally. I’m packing only what supports the journey I’m on.

We all get to do this. Every day is a choice. Every choice is a step. And every step leads us somewhere—toward who we want to be or away from her.

Just like the sun rises every morning, you and I get the chance to rise again too.

We Are Part of Something Bigger

We’re connected to the world around us—to the seasons, the cycles, the rhythms of growth and rest. I’m choosing to stay aware of these rhythms in the year ahead. To let them guide me. To let them remind me that change is normal, expected, and necessary.

Even when the house feels like a war zone. Even when the light is left on all night. Even when life feels messy or chaotic.

Because just like the seasons… we evolve. We shed. We bloom. We begin again.

And how we spend our days is, truly, how we spend our lives.

Empowering women, one thought at a time.

 Sally Luehman

 Founder & Mindset Coach, Headquarters Coaching LLC

 Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs

 📞 608-547-8098

 🌐 coachingworks.net

 📧 sally@coachingworks.net