Life as a Cycle of Seasons
What season of life are you experiencing right now? Perhaps you’re in a “winter,” where things feel slow and introspective. Or maybe it’s “spring,” filled with beginnings and fresh opportunities. Viewing life through seasons gives us perspective and patience, teaching us that every phase, even the tough ones, has its purpose.
Here’s a look at the Four Seasons of Life:
Winter (Stillness): When rest and preparation take centre stage. This is a time to reflect and rebuild.
Spring (Renewal): A season of fresh starts and fresh energy. Picture planting seeds for what’s coming next.
Summer (Expansion): When you thrive, grow, and achieve in abundance. It’s a bustling, productive season.
Autumn (Reflection): Time to pause and evaluate. What served its purpose? What do you need to release to grow?
Understanding which season you’re in allows you to better align your actions, mindset, and priorities.
Lessons from the I Ching
The I Ching offers ancient wisdom for navigating life’s uncertainties with clarity and insight. Take Hexagram 64 – Before Completion, for example. Known for its themes of preparation and transition, it’s a guide for managing those “in-between” moments that often feel overwhelming. Here are its three major lessons for navigating seasons of change:
1. Prepare for What’s Ahead
Transformation doesn’t happen well without preparation. Whether you’re gearing up for a career pivot or redefining life after retirement, an inventory of your resources, goals, and mindset is essential. Ask yourself:
What specific outcome am I aiming for?
Do I have the right tools, skills, or support to move forward?
What gaps exist, and how can I fill them?
For example, if you’re considering a career change, preparation might involve gaining new certifications, updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, or building relationships with mentors in your industry.
2. Stay Adaptable
Life rarely unfolds the way we plan. When the unexpected happens, adaptability becomes your superpower. Instead of resisting the twists, flow with them—often, they open doors you didn’t realise were there. Reflect on:
What beliefs or habits might hold me back?
How can I reframe this challenge as an opportunity?
Consider the story of a musician who, after stepping away from the stage, discovered her passion for helping others through creative workshops. By letting go of old labels and being open to change, she carved out a new, fulfilling path.
3. Trust the Process
Big transformations aren’t instant—they’re built on small, consistent steps. Trust the momentum of your actions, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. Take it one step at a time by asking:
What intentional action can I take today?
How can I lean into trust, even if the outcome feels unclear?
Maybe you’re starting a small venture post-retirement or turning a creative hobby into a part-time gig. You don’t need all the answers today. Trust that each small step will lead you closer to your vision.
Finding Your Current Season
Our personal seasons don’t always align with the world outside. Learning to identify your current phase allows you to work in harmony with life rather than forcing change. Ask yourself:
Am I in a period of planting seeds (spring) or celebrating progress (summer)?
Does it feel like time to reflect and release (autumn), or to rest and prepare (winter)?
How can I honour this phase without rushing to the next?
For instance, during a season of renewal (spring), focus on exploring new opportunities, whether that’s starting a passion project, networking, or considering further education. If you’re in a stillness phase (winter), engage in self-care and mindful practices like journaling or meditation to recharge.
Real-Life Transformations
The Athlete: After an injury halted her career, a professional runner used her “winter” of stillness to not only heal physically but also discover a passion for coaching others.
The Entrepreneur: Burned out from constant hustle, a tech founder embraced a season of reflection (autumn), identifying what no longer aligned with their values. This inner work helped them focus on meaningful innovations.
The Rock Star: After decades on stage, a drummer left the spotlight to open a neighbourhood shop—a personal “spring” phase. By rediscovering roots and community, he found renewal and fresh purpose.
Like these individuals, aligning with your season can reveal new avenues of growth and fulfilment.
Your Seasonal Action Plan
No matter your season, there are small yet impactful ways to work with life’s rhythms rather than against them:
Winter (Stillness): Rest and reflect. Try mindful walks, meditation, or goal-setting practices.
Spring (Renewal): Start fresh. Identify three small, actionable goals to plant the seeds of change.
Summer (Expansion): Celebrate successes! Share your achievements, practice gratitude, and enjoy the abundance of this season.
Autumn (Reflection): Evaluate and release. What’s no longer serving you? This could be a job, a limiting belief, or even an overbooked schedule.
The key is to remember that no season is better than another. Each serves a unique purpose in your life’s transformation.
Honour the Rhythm of Change
The beauty of life lies in its rhythms—the ups, the downs, and the messy in-between’s. And while change can often feel daunting, it holds profound potential for growth. By aligning with the wisdom of the I Ching and recognising your personal season, you can use transitions as opportunities to create a deeper, more fulfilling life.
Take a moment today to ask yourself:
What season am I in right now?
What small, intentional step can I take to make the most of this phase?
Wherever you are in life’s cycle—whether you’re planting seeds, thriving in the sun, or finding rest and recovery—trust that every step has value. This is your invitation to not just get through change, but to grow through it.
Want to deepen your connection to life’s rhythms and gain tools to support your transformation? This year, I’ll be diving deeper into life’s rhythms through the lens of the I Ching. Starting weekly, I’ll share tools, wisdom, and inspiration to help you navigate change and create meaningful transformation.