Have you ever noticed how beautiful the world becomes when a new season begins? It’s as if somehow the earth knew us humans were beginning to get complacent, or unmotivated by a certain time of the year. With the flip of a switch a new scent in the air, or the rise and fall in temperatures brings forth a new perspective.
I’ve spent all of my years living in places with four seasons, and I cannot imagine living somewhere without them.
My favorite season is fall, I love everything about a crisp October morning with frost on the grass and sun in the sky. A cool spring breeze follows close second, and summer makes me want to fall in love. Winter on the other hand is the season I find most difficult. Winter is cold, dark, gloomy, and often brings in waves of the SAD’s.
This winter however, I found myself in surprisingly high spirits.
Winter hikes.
Perhaps it was due to the fact I spent more time outdoors than I typically do in the winter months, perhaps it was because I spent more time with other humans, or perhaps it was because just as the seasons of weather change, so too do the seasons of life. I am at the tail end of one season, paving my way into a new one, and this season of life feels slightly more optimistic than the last.
I became quite good at isolating myself over the last handful of years, a natural response to emotional upheavals. It took me years to notice my behavior, and while I still find great value in spending time alone, I began to feel the pull towards human connections earlier last year. My goal upon returning to America was to put this pull into play by pushing myself to be more social.
Trail rides with fellow bike enthusiasts.
As an introvert spending time alone is essential, especially with a job like mine where I am constantly engaging (superficially) with others. In contrast, as a human it is also essential to spend time with others – time of connection through shared interests, deep conversations, belly laughter, and daydreams. I’m not good at expressing my “need” for other people, but as I get older I get better at expressing these needs.
Without the season of winter (or whatever season you enjoy the least), it would be hard to fully value the seasons I love so dearly. Change brings forth growth – growth of life on earth, and growth of life within ourselves. Walking through the more uncomfortable seasons allows for a deeper appreciation of the more uplifting ones. Literally and figuratively.
The painfully cold hikes covered in snow, albeit beautiful, help me cherish the warmth of spring hiking.
As I move into a new earthly season as well as a new life season I have one quote hanging around the forefront of my brain helping me to progress forward: “one day at a time.” It can be so easy for me to fall into the comparison trap of where I “should be” in my life, but really there is no right or wrong place to be. Each job, each relationship, and each experience helps mold us for the next season of life.
In order to take full advantage of these lessons we must embrace each season we are in.
I have high hopes for the spring and summer months to come. I see grand adventures, deeper friendships, newfound knowledge, and further personal edification. I hope to be a source of encouragement for those who are stuck in a stormy season of life. There will always be an end to the storm, as long as we continue walking through it.
Q: What’s your favorite season?
Blissfulbritt 
25 thoughts on “Seasons”
rootchopper
I’m not a big fan of winter. And the summer around the mid-Atlantic can bring oppressive be weather. Give me Spring and early Autumn any day. Shorts = happiness.
Brittany
Yes yes yes! Agreed.
Planet Paul
I actually prefer hiking in the colder months.
Brittany
I have developed a newfound respect for winter hiking! Fall hikes are my favorite though. Cold, but not freezing. 🤪
Rose Vettleson
Spring is my favorite! There’s still snow on the ground here, but I’m ready to charge out the door with a basket of seeds, and my hoe – So Excited to get out in the dirt and start my brand new flower-growing experiments! I do Not have a green thumb. However my sweetheart brought me 2 Gorgeous Blue Hydrangeas. Which sent me on an intense search for Zone Hardy and Natural Habitat Blossoms. Hurry up Spring!
Brittany
I hope to build a small garden of sorts this spring, and I’m so excited! Happy planting!
The SAD Creative
Thanks for a lovely post! It’s funny how clearly a simple question like “what’s your favourite season?” can show how diverse we all are. Personally, I have always absolutely loved winter – the colder and snowier the better! I did grow up with very long winters though, and spent many happy months trying to ski as fast as possible down snowy hills. My appreciation for each season has grown as I have grown older, though, and like you, I can’t imagine living without four marked seasons. (I’m currently living where winters mean mostly rain, and this winter especially I felt terribly homesick.) One thing I always miss in winter is thunder and lightening – I’m always thrilled by the first thunderstorm of spring!
Brittany
I am thankful to have experienced more winter hikes this year, allowing me to appreciate the season a bit more! I LOVE a good thunder and lightening storm, and my previous home in the Alps had the BEST storms. I miss them so very much.
The SAD Creative
Oh, I’ve never been to the Alps, but always wanted to go (for skiing mainly), but lately I’ve really gotten into trail running so it would be amazing to go trail running somewhere in the Alps and get to experience some proper lightening!
Brittany
You would LOVE trail running in the Alps. Add it to your bucket list!
Pam
Fall by far my favorite ….the changing leaf color , smells of wood burning fireplaces, the crispness in the air and definitely the hearty food just tastes Better👍 It’s a cozy time of year and it is the start of a very festive season ahead👋👋👋❤️
Spring is my second followed by winter….
Memories of summer in the south bring a certain anxiety when it approaches, but here in the PNW … Not a problem , on average only 11 days over 80 , I’ll take that any day
Beats high humidity and a summer that starts in April and goes to Oct…😱
Brittany
I can’t even imagine southern summers!! We’re spoiled here in the PNW! I’m with you about allllll things fall. 😍
Allie Zottola
So much truth about how winter helps us value the other seasons! And that push and pull between being an introvert and needing to be alone vs. being a human and needing to interact with humans…. I feel you. I hope this season is amazing for you.
My favorite is summer 🙂
Brittany
I typically don’t like the heat, it makes me feel unwell, but this year I’m ready for summer!!
livesinstone
I, too, am a lover of all things fall, sweaters, pumpkin, fallen leaves, and Halloween festivities. That being said, I also have always loved the look of fresh fallen snow, it always made the world seem so soft and almost magical with it’s subtle sparkles. Now if only it wasn’t so cold. Brr! Lovely post.
Brittany
I will say the quiet that fresh snow brings is something unlike anything else!
livesinstone
Agreed. 🙂
gpavants
Brittney,
Have a great trek through the multilayers of your seasonal forest. Hope that makes sense. Glad you are doing better.
Thanks, Gary
Brittany
It makes complete sense!
annecreates
Fall is my favorite season, too! Love the crisp air, fall colors, and sweater weather!
Brittany
YASSS sweater weather!
Silvana Williams
As we pass from winter into spring bliss it is as if the Lord is saying: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). He has prepared fresh manna for His people. Rejoice and be exceeding glad. Our savior is doing a new thing. Happy Resurrection!
Brittany
AMEN! Thank you for your beautiful comment.
Joyful Change With Yvonne
I live with 4 seasons as well and love it! My favorite is Fall too! But I do enjoy all of the seasons for each of their specialness. Winter snow and holidays, Spring for rebirth, Summer for the freedom and seashore and lastly Fall for the jeweled colors and chill in the air along with it feeling like September brings a new start even though I know that traditionally it’s New Year’s.
Brittany
I love this perspective, all seasons have their place indeed!